The Wild Winds Vest was inspired by the changing seasons in Scotland. It’s made for those chillier days when you need an extra layer of warmth around your body to break the chill.

About. The slipover is knitted in Half Fisherman’s rib, which gives the vest a plush feel and thick texture. The edeges, in contrast, are kept simple in Double Knitting. The design is casual and modern. The sizing is inclusive and for every body. Optional bust dart instructions allow you to tailor the garment to your proportions and make it your perfect companion for the changing seasons.

Skill level. Dedicated tutorial videos offer guidance on challenging technical aspects but any intermediate knitter, or fearless, advanced beginner, should find this piece a satisfying knit.

Can you help with testing open sizes? Unfortunately, not all sizes were test knitted as I couldn’t find enough testers. So, if you plan on knitting Size K, M, N, O or P, you can get in touch, and, once you finished your knit, receive a full refund for the pattern in exchange for your feedback.

One tester per size. Please get in touch (support@wildknitsglasgow.com) before purchase to secure your tester spot. You will receive a full refund for the pattern price upon sending in your feedback (I’m very sorry, but yarn support cannot be given at this time).

Please note: the pattern is for personal, non-commercial use only. Items produced with these instructions may not be resold.

Construction.
The vest is knitted top-down and seamless. It is intended to be worn over an additional garment, like a T-Shirt or long sleeve top (the yoke depth will show sides of a standard bra). There is some shoulder shaping and added length in the back yoke. The shoulder pieces are picked up and knitted separately before being joined together at the front neckline; after working the front chest increases the entire work is joined in the round. You have the option of working bust darts (instructions are provided). I do advise you add bust darts is you want to make a more cropped version, even if you have a smaller chest, as the Half Fisherman’s Rib pattern seems to exaggerate the rounding of the front hem. The piece ends with a high split hem. The neckband and armhole stitches are picked up separately and worked in double knitting.

Sizing.
Full schematic and measurements in images. The Wild Winds Vest is designed to have 6-8cm (2.50- 3.25”) of positive ease at the chest, depending on the size you are knitting (the ease differences are due to the constraints imposed by the Half Fisherman’s rib pattern repeat). You also have the option of working bust darts. Choose a size based on the wearer’s bust circumference to get the designed fit. The back yoke is 1.5cm (0.50”) longer than the front yoke in all sizes for more comfort at the front neck. Sizes G-P feature a bust adjustment in which more stitches are allocated to the front than the back, to avoid loose fabric in the back.

Gauge

Vest:   Half Fisherman’s rib, 4mm (US6) needles: 17 sts x 36 rows in 10x10cm (4x4”)

Edges:   Double Knitting, 3mm (US2.5) needles: 34 sts in 10cm (4”)

Needles

4mm (US6) circulars:   Size A+B: 60cm (24”), Size C-I:  80cm (32”), Size J-P: 100cm (40”)
3mm (US2.5) circulars:   60cm (24”) (or larger if using the “Magic-Loop” technique)

Yarn

Option 1: Drops Lima held with one strand of Kid-Silk (grey sample, colour Chalk)
Option 2: Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino (red sample, colour Pomegranate)

Yardage

Meters   593, 627, 671, 705 (731, 766, 820, 856) 891, 927, 968, 1004 (1041, 1095, 1137, 1175)m
Yards   648, 685, 733, 771 (800, 838, 897, 936) 975, 1014, 1058, 1098 (1138, 1197, 1243, 1285)yds

Bust darts will require an extra 3, 5, 9, 14, 21 26m or  3, 5, 10, 15, 23, 29yds for Cup 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in addition to the lengths stated above.

Techniques

Half Fisherman’s Rib

Double Knitting

Increasing

Picking up stitches

Casting on stitches

Tubular bind-off

Optional: Japanese Short-rows