Recently I started playing with zippers (for a ski sweater to appear in the book Stitch Mountain) … and then I found myself wearing a little black vest (bought in 1993 and worn constantly) that I promised myself to knit some day … and here is the marriage of the two.

Everyone needs a little black vest! I did knit this garment in other yarns and brighter colours but was never as happy with the result. I think the problem was that I had to buy those less-than-wonderful plastic zippers (to match the colour of the yarn), and it just ended up looking contrived. So I am recommending black, or any neutral, for which you can buy a heavy and more stylish but less obtrusive zipper.

This pattern is available in the usual 5 sizes but also in 2 stitches patterns: tumbling blocks plus an easier knit-and-purl pattern. (I don’t assume that the texture shows well in photos, especially since the garment is knit in charcoal gray.)

Obviously, and as shown, the zippers may be worn closed (for a boxy style) or open (to a bit on an hourglass).

If you have taken a class with me, then you will know to knit this to your ideal short sweater length, also known as your balance point.