Little Military Waistcoat

This is a quick little weekend project I came up with to showcase some gorgeous repro military buttons I’ve had for a while. It is a cropped waistcoat worked in 10ply wool, and knits up very fast! I love little waistcoats and vests as they go with anything and can be worn for much of the year depending on the yarn used. If you left off the epaulets and used cotton yarn, this would make a cute, feminine, little summer waistcoat.

It is knitted flat in 3 pieces which are then seamed together with backstitch, with ribbed edgings picked up along armholes (worked flat) and along the entire outer edge (worked in the round). Shoulder tabs/epaulets and pocket flaps (decorative) are knitted separately and sewn on, and the buttons are added last. I have made this as quick and simple as possible by using basic increases and decreases: knitting or purling 2 together to decrease, and M1 to increase.

This is a layering piece and the waistcoat is not designed to close, so there are no buttonholes to work. However, depending on your bust size, it can be made to meet in the middle, and could have a single button, toggle or clasp added if desired.

This pattern is currently only available in one size, finished bust 87cm/34”, finished length 43cm.
Model in pics has 85cm/33” bust.

NB: Measurements given in inches are approximate.

Materials:
2 x 5mm (US 8) straight needles
1 x long (about 100cm/40”) 4.5mm (US 7) circular needle for the rib edgings
7 buttons
Darning/tapestry needle

Yarn and Yardage:
Hayfield Bonus Aran 10ply, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 840m per 400g ball.
1 x ball, col. Moss.
Pattern uses approximately 380m/175g.

Gauge:
16sts and 20 rows over 10cm/4” in St St on 5mm/US 8 needles.