ABOUT
Nele Vest is a cuddly, but light all-season vest; ideal to wear over a t-shirt, longsleeve, dress or jumper. The vest is knitted seamlessly from the top down in garter stitch, with 2 strands of yarn (bouclé + fingering weight merino or virgin wool). First the back of the yoke is worked. Then, with the stitches of the yoke resting, stitches at the cast on edge are picked up and the shoulders are worked. Under the armholes you join with the stitches from the back, so the body can be worked in one piece. Finally the contrasting ribbed neck edge is worked. The very last step is to attach crocheted loops with the button. You will find a link to a video tutorial in the pattern that shows you how to make these loops.

SIZES
The sizes 2-3 (4-5) 6-8 (9-10) 11-12 years are designed to fit a chest circumference of approx. 54 (60) 65 (70) 75 cm (21¼ (23½) 25½ (27½) 29½ inch) and/or a waist circumference of approx. 54 (55,5) 58 (60) 63 cm (21¼ (21¾) 22¾ (23½) 24¾ inch).

The Nele Vest is designed to have a positive ease of approx. 15-20 cm (6-8 inch).

Finished garment circumference (measured under the armhole) is approx.: 70 (72) 76 (80) 83 cm (27½ (28¼) 30 (31½) 32½ inch).
The vest has relatively deep armholes, so this measurement is best to compare with the child’s waist circumference.

Finished garment back length (measured below the ribbed edge) is approx.: 29 (31) 33 (40) 45 cm (11½ (12) 13 (15¾) 17¾ inch).

MATERIAL
Nele Vest is knitted with two strands of yarn that are held together: 1 strand bouclé yarn + 1 strand virgin wool or merino wool yarn.

Note: except for the contrasting colored neck edge that is knitted with 1 strand of the merino/virgin wool.

YARN OPTIONS
YARN 1 (bouclé):
Curly by Järbo Garn (100 g = 195 m (213 yds)) or Rowan Soft Bouclé (50 g = 100 m (109 yds)). You will need approx. 100 (110) 130 (145) 160 g of this yarn. In skeins: 1 (2) 2 (2) 2 skein(s) (100 g) / 2 (3) 3 (3) 4 skeins (50 g)

YARN 2:
Option 1 (merino wool): Choose a merino wool in fingering weight. Yarn suggestions are:
approx. 55 (70) 75 (80) 90 g of Organic Soft Merino by Kaos Yarn (50 g = 225 m (246 yds)) or Sunday by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 235 m (257 yds)) or Yaku by Camarose DK (50 g = 200 m (218 yds)) or approx. 60 (75) 85 (90) 100 g Friends Extra Fine Merino by Hobbii (50 g = 165 m (180 yds)) or Drops Baby Merino (50 g = 175 m (191 yds)). For all yarn options in skeins: 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 skeins of 50 g.

Option 2 (virgin wool): approx. 60 (75) 85 (90) 100 g of Finnwool by Mominoki (100 g = 360 m (394 yds)) or Mondim by Rosa Pomar (100 g = 385 m (421 yds)) or Highland Wool by Hobbii (50 g = 175 m (191 yds)). In skeins: 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 skein (100 g) / 2 (2) 2 (2) 2 skeins (50 g).

The combination of the bouclé with virgin wool gives a slightly more rustic look & feel to the vest, whereas the combination with merino wool gives a more refined and lighter look & feel.

Because the Nele Vest ist knitted with two strands of yarn held together, the given yardage amounts (at the top of the page) are the total yardage needed.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• Knitting needles size 3 mm (US 2½ /UK 11) and 4 mm (US 6/UK 8) (or different, depending on whether your swatch matches the gauge). When using circular needles: min. 60 cm 24 inch for 4 mm (US 6/UK 8) needles. The 3 mm (US 2½/ UK 11) needles are only used to knit the ribbed neck edge at the end, so the smallest circular needle cable will do. I personally love to work with interchangeable needle tips and multiple needle cables, so the stitches can be easily put on hold/ be transferred.
• Extra knitting cables, other stitch holders or leftover yarn to let stitches rest
• Crochet hook 3 mm (US D/UK 3)
• Tapestry needle to weave in all ends
• Wooden button with 1 or 2 holes, a length of approx. 3,8 cm (1½ inch) and a diameter of approx. 1 cm (0.39 inch). Of course you can also use a button of your choice. Just adjust the length of the loops to fit with your preferred button.

USED TECHNIQUES

• Garter stitch / 1x1 rib
• Putting stitches on hold
• Picking up stitches and knitting them
• Increases/decreases
• Joining resting stitches