The Heartwarmer Vest is an elegant staple knit in stockinette stitch with a split hem and a big turtleneck. The neck, hem, and armhole edgings are worked in rib stitch.

The back panel is worked flat, incorporating increases in every row to shape the shoulders. At the end of the back panel, additional increases are worked to shape the armholes, after which the stitches are placed on hold. Next, the front panels are knitted individually. For the left shoulder, stitches are picked up along the increase edge of the back panel, and German Short Rows are used to shape the shoulder. A few decreases refine the neckline, followed by increases to shape the left front neckline. Once these increases are complete, the stitches are placed on hold. The same steps are repeated for the right shoulder and right front panel.

After completing both front sections, the right and left fronts are joined. The front is then worked flat, with increases shaping the armholes. When finished, the front and back sections are joined, and the body is knitted in the round. In a final step, the body is finished with a split hem worked in rib stitch 1x1. Stitches are bound off using the Italian bind-off method for a clean and professional finish.

To complete the vest, stitches are picked up around the armholes, and the trim is worked in the round. Stitches are bound off using the Italian bind-off technique. Finally, stitches are picked up for the turtleneck.

The Heartwarmer Vest is an oversized vest with a positive ease of approx. 9-10 cm (3.5-4inches) compared to the body bust circumference. The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL correspond to a bust circumference (of the body) of approx. 74 (84) 94 (104) 114 (124) 134 (144) 155 cm (29 (33.75) 37 (41) 45 (49) 53 (57) 61 inches) respectively. Keep in mind that the final measurements of the vest already take these extra 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches) into account. Ease is a personal preference. Take the necessary measurements to determine the right size for you before you start knitting.

Sizes:
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL

Bust circumference: finished vest:
84 (94) 104 (114) 124 (134) 144 (154) 164 cm 33 (37) 41 (45) 48.75 (52.75) 56.75 (60.75) 64.5 inches

Length: measured at center back, excl. neck, incl. hem:
56 (57) 58 (59) 60 (61) 62 (64) 65 cm
22 (22.5) 22.75 (23.25) 23.5 (24) 24.5 (25.25) 25.5 inches

Shoulder width: measured from shoulder to shoulder, incl. armhole edgings:
37.5 (38.5) 40 (41) 42.5 (43.5) 45 (46) 47.5 cm
14.75 (15.25) 15.75 (16.25) 16.75 (17.25) 17.75 (18) 18.75 inches

Armhole depth (unfinished): without armhole edgings:
23 (25) 26.5 (28.5) 30 (31.5) 32.5 (33.5) 34.5 cm
9 (9.75) 10.5 (11.25) 11.75 (12.5) 12.75 (13.25) 13.5 inches

Armhole depth (finished): with finished armhole edgings:
20 (22) 23.5 (25.5) 27 (28.5) 29.5 (30.5) 31.5 cm
7.75 (8.75) 9.25 (10) 10.75 (11.25) 11.5 (12) 12.5 inches

Gauge: 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches):
16 sts x 23 rounds (after blocking) with needles 5 mm (US 8) in stockinette stitch
18 sts x 26 rounds (after blocking) with needles 4 mm (US 6) in rib stitch 1x1

Needles:
Circular needles 4 & 5 mm / cable lengths 40, 60 and/or 80, 100 cm
(US 6 & 8 / cable length 16, 24, and/or 32, 40 inches)
A tapestry needle.

Suggested yarn:
1 strand of ‘Lambswool’ (50 g - 150 m) held together with 1 strand of ‘Mohair Luxe’ (25 g - 175 m), both from LANG YARNS: Lambswool: 200 (200) 250 (300) 300 (350) 350 (400) 400-450 g
Mohair Luxe: 100 (100) 100 (125) 125 (150) 150 (175) 175-200 g
NOTE about suggested yarn: The above quantities of yarn are for the vest with measurements as given in pattern. If you prefer a longer vest for example, make sure you have more yarn.

In case you want to use another yarn or yarn combo, you will need approx. 700 (700) 750 (875) 875 (1050) 1050 (1200) 1300 m of yarn. You can always check the ravelry page of this pattern to see which yarn or yarm combos other knitters have already used (including my testknitters).