The Campus Vest is a cardigan vest that’s perfectly preppy for layering. This pattern comes in two views, with a cropped, straight body or with a hip length body with gentle A-line shaping to accommodate hips.

This pattern is constructed bottom up in one piece, then separated for fronts and back. The shoulders are finished with Three-Needle Bind Off and the armholes and button band are picked up and worked last.

Knit it your way for what you need in your wardrobe. Perfectly proportioned for any outfit, this is a truly versatile staple that you’ll reach for over and over again. This classic piece knits up in a variety of fabrics and is shown here in both woolen spun and worsted spun yarns for a different effect on each.

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Download a pattern preview, including schematics.

Size Selection

Sizes A (B, C, D) (E, F, G) (H, I, J) to fit upper bust measurements of 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) (44, 47.25, 50.5) (53.75, 57, 60.25)” / 78.5 (87, 95.5, 103.5) (112, 120, 128.5) (136.5, 145, 153) cm.

Select a size based on the upper bust measurement, but it is also graded for full bust measurements of 30 (34, 38, 42) (46, 50, 54) (58, 62, 66)” / 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) (117, 127, 137) (147.5, 157.5, 167.5) cm.

The garment measures 32.25 (36.25, 40.25, 44.25) (48.25, 52.25, 55.75) (60.25, 64.25, 68.25)” / 81 (90.5, 101, 110.5) (120.5, 130, 139.5) (151, 160.5, 170.5) cm at full bust.

The front of the garment measures 0.25 (0.25, 1.25, 2.25) (2.25, 3.25, 3.75) (5.25, 5.25, 6.25)” / 0.5 (1.5, 2.5, 5) (5.5, 8.5, 9.5) (12.5, 13.5, 15.5) cm wider than the back. Optional bust darts are available, but may require additional yarn and buttons to complete.

The designer is wearing Size B Cropped (the purple-gray sample) for 2.25” / 6 cm positiveease, and Size C full length (the white sample) for 6.25” / 16 cm positive ease. She has the following circumference body measurements: 32” / 82 cm upper bust, 34” / 86.5 full bust, and 10.75” / 27.5 cm upper arm.

Gauge

22 sts x 28 rows = 4 x 4” / 10 cm knit flat in Stockinette stitch with needle A and 2x2 rib with Needle B

Yarn Selection + Pattern Views

Choose a DK weight yarn that achieves gauge. I have selected two very different wool-based yarns to show this pattern.

One is a woolen spun yarn, for the longer, A-line shaped version, and one is a worsted spun 90% Merino, 10% silk with more bounce and a different drape for the cropped version.

See our tips for working with woolen spun yarn if you are new to them.

View A
Features a cropped body and no body shaping. Hem lands between waist and high hip.

Shown in De Rerum Natura’s Pénélope (90% organic Merinos d’Arles and 10% mulberry silk, 145 yards / 133 meters / 50 g / 1.75 oz), shown in the colorway Bois Flotté.

620 (710, 790, 860) (940, 1020, 1080) (1170, 1270, 1360) yards / 570 (650, 720, 790) (860, 930, 990) (1070, 1160, 1240) meters

OR 5 (5, 6, 6) (7, 8, 8) (9, 9, 10) balls of De Rerum Natura’s Pénélope

OR 3 (3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6) hanks of Harrisville Designs’ daylights

View B
Features a full-length body and gentle A-line shaping in the body. Hem lands at high hip.

Shown in Harrisville Designs’ daylights (100% American Cormo & Wool, 250 yards / 229 meters / 100 g / 3.5 oz), shown in the colorway Lint.

880 (980, 1100, 1210) (1320, 1410, 1510) (1640, 1770, 1840) yards / 800 (900, 1010, 1110) (1210, 1290, 1380) (1500, 1620, 1680) meters

OR 7 (7, 8, 9) (10, 10, 11) (12, 13, 13) balls of De Rerum Natura’s Pénélope

OR 4 (4, 5, 5) (6, 6, 7) (7, 8, 8) hanks of Harrisville Designs’ daylights

For Bust Darts
20 (25, 30, 30) (35, 40, 45) (45, 50, 55) yards / meters for every 1” / 2.5 cm of bust darts.

Needles

A (Main Fabric): US 6 / 4.0 mm circular needles in 32” / 80 cm length or longer for larger sizes to match body length.
B (Ribbing): US 5 / 3.75 mm circular needles in 32” / 80 cm or above, plus needles for working small circumferences in the round (ie. magic loop or DPN’s)

Spare needles in any size US7 or smaller.

Notions

Waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, a thinner needle for sewing buttons, and 0.9” / 23 mm buttons in the following amounts:

• View A: 4 buttons
• View B: 7 buttons
• Bust darts: An additional button for every 2” / 5 cm added. More or fewer buttons may be used if desired to achieve different spacing.

Formats and Accessibility

• Large format pattern file included, with 22 pt font, black text on white background, and no italic formatting text.
• All images have alt text.
• Header structure tagged main pattern file.
• All charts have a written version.

Credits and Support

Pattern & Samples: Aimee Sher
Tech Editing: Heather Storta
Photos: Roy and Aimee Sher
Admin Support: Symphony Chau and Teresa Runnett

For all pattern support, please contact support@aimeeshermakes.com.

#SizeInclusive #BustDArts