Roko by Lis Smith

Roko

Knitting
January 2025
Bulky (7 wpi) ?
15.5 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches
in Moss Stitch
US 10½ - 6.5 mm
US 10 - 6.0 mm
595 - 1375 yards (544 - 1257 m)
36½ (40¾, 44¾, 49) (53, 57¼, 59¼) (64¾, 69, 71, 75)” [92.5 (103.5, 113.5, 124.5) (134.5, 145.5, 150.5) (164.5, 175.5, 180.5, 190.5) cm] finished circumference at chest
English
This pattern is available for $16.00 USD
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“The thick strands of both Arbor Lodge and Quarry are ideal for oversized cables and this quality was the starting inspiration point for this vest. Invested with a heavy dose of classic fisherman sweater vibes, these cables are plumped up to an almost cartoonish degree, and lend a light-hearted air to an easy-going layering piece.” — designer, Lis Smith

Quarry Barn Owl sample photographed with Grooves Cap by Jared Flood.

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Please note: the stitch patterns used for this garment include written as well as charted instructions.


Construction

  • The Front and Back are worked flat, separately, from the bottom up in the same manner. Stitches are cast on for Front and the ribbed hem is worked using smaller needle. After completion of hem, larger needle is used to begin working the body of the vest. Three body lengths are available to customize fit.
  • The armhole is shaped with a combination of bound-off stitches and decreases. While working this section, the neckline shaping will begin with placing live stitches on hold for center front neck, then shaping the neckline curve with decreases. After dividing for the neck, the remainder of the upper body will be worked from two separate balls of yarn. Shoulders are then shaped using a Sloped Bind Off as you finish the upper body.
  • Back piece is worked the same way, mirroring armhole shaping and shoulder slopes. As for Front, the Back neckline also has live stitches placed on hold while the remainder of back neck shaping occurs, using two separate balls of yarn.
  • After completion of the Front and Back pieces, the garment is seamed together at the shoulders first. To finish garment construction, the sides of the garment are seamed. With smaller circular needle, stitches are picked up and live stitches are returned to needles from the neck opening and work is joined into the round. The neckband is worked in a variegated 2x2 ribbing and Cable Chart A pattern ribbing until the target length of the finished neckband is achieved, and then bound off. Armhole band stitches for both left and right armhole are picked up directly from the armhole edge and worked in a 2x2 rib pattern before binding off.

Finished Dimensions

1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10, 11)

  • 36½ (40¾, 44¾, 49) (53, 57¼, 59¼) (64¾, 69, 71, 75)” [92.5 (103.5, 113.5, 124.5) (134.5, 145.5, 150.5) (164.5, 175.5, 180.5, 190.5) cm] finished circumference at chest
  • See Full Schematic for more sizing information
  • Sample 1 is Size 2, Version I (Semi-Cropped) in Arbor Lodge Natural. Modeled by Heather (short hair), 5’4”/162.5 cm tall, with 6”/15 cm positive ease.
  • Sample 2 is Size 3, Version II (Classic) in Quarry Barn Owl. Modeled by Shelby (long hair), 5’7”/170 cm tall, with 10”/25.5 cm positive ease.

Need help picking a size? See our resource page on Selecting a Sweater Size

Yarn

Choose from Brooklyn Tweed chunky weight wool yarns:

Arbor Lodge — 125 yards (114 meters) per 100 grams

Version I: Semi-Cropped

  • 5 (6, 6, 7) (7, 7, 8) (8, 9, 9, 10) skeins Photographed in color Natural

Version II: Classic

  • 6 (6, 7, 7) (8, 8, 9) (9, 10, 10, 11) skeins

Version III: Tall

  • 6 (7, 7, 8) (8, 9, 9^) (10, 11, 11, 11^) skeins

—OR—

Quarry — 200 yards (182 meters) per 100 grams

Version I: Semi-Cropped

  • 3^ (4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6, 6) skeins

Version II: Classic

  • 4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 6) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins
  • Photographed in color Barn Owl

Version III: Tall

  • 4 (4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6) (6, 7, 7, 7) skeins

The marked skein counts “^” are near or exact to the listed yardage; consider adding an extra skein.

Yardage

Version I: Semi-Cropped

  • 595 (640, 700, 755) (810, 870, 925) (975, 1040, 1090, 1130) yards [544 (585, 640, 690) (741, 796, 846) (892, 951, 997, 1033) meters] of chunky weight wool yarn

Version II: Classic

  • 655 (710, 780, 840) (900, 965, 1030) (1085, 1160, 1215, 1265) yards [599 (649, 713, 768) (823, 882, 942) (992, 1061, 1111, 1157) meters] of chunky weight wool yarn

Version III: Tall

  • 710 (770, 845, 915) (975, 1050, 1120) (1180, 1260, 1325, 1375) yards [649 (704, 773, 837) (892, 960, 1024) (1079, 1152, 1212, 1257) meters] of chunky weight wool yarn

Gauge

  • 15½ stitches & 22 rows per 4”/10 cm in Moss Stitch, after blocking
  • 17 stitches & 20 rows per 4”/10 cm in Patterns B/C, after blocking

Needles

Main needle

  • Suggested Size: US 10½ (6.5 mm)
  • One 24” (60 cm) circular needle (or longer as preferred) for body

Ribbing needles

  • Suggested Size: US 10 (6 mm)
  • One size smaller than main needle
  • One 24” (60 cm) circular needle for hem
  • One 16” (40 cm) needle for neckband & armhole edging

Tutorials for all special techniques listed below are included in the pattern:

Skill Level
3 out of 5: Intermediate