Basic Crew-Neck Vest

Size M (Beginner)

Finished Measurements

• Bust: 40" (101.5 cm)
• Length: 22" (56 cm)
• Armhole depth: 8" (20.5 cm)
• Upper back width: 14¼" (36 cm)
• Neck width: 7" (18 cm)

Yarn 100% acrylic, worsted weight; 100 g / 238 m per ball.

• 3 balls (300 g / 714 m total) Sample uses user’s specified yarn.

Needles

• US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• US 6 (4 mm) for ribbing (optional, recommended for neater edges)
• Spare needle or stitch holders
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors

Gauge 18 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch with larger needles, after blocking. Important: User knits tightly and obtained 18 sts / 28 rows on 4–5 mm needles. Match this exact gauge. Adjust needle size if needed.

Abbreviations (US)

• BO: bind off
• CO: cast on
• dec: decrease
• k: knit
• k2tog: knit 2 together
• p: purl
• p2tog: purl 2 together
• pm: place marker
• RS: right side
• ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning dec)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• St st: stockinette stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
• WS: wrong side
• wyib / wyif: with yarn in back / front

Notes for Beginners

• Vest is worked flat in two pieces, then seamed.
• Always slip the first stitch purlwise wyif on every row for a neat edge (optional but recommended).
• Use stitch markers at armhole edges and neck edges.
• Check gauge before starting; length is controlled by measurement, not only row count.
• Inline counts are validated thus: (example) 90 – 5 – 5 = 80 ✓.

BACK

With smaller needles, CO 90 sts.

Ribbing Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Row 2 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Repeat Rows 1–2 until ribbing measures 2" (5 cm), ending after a WS row. Change to larger needles.

Body Work in St st until piece measures 14" (35.5 cm) from CO edge, ending after a WS row. (Approx 98 rows of St st; measure for accuracy.)

Armhole Shaping BO 5 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (90 – 5 – 5 = 80 sts ✓) Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts dec) Next row (WS): Purl. Rep last 2 rows 7 more times. (8 dec rows total → 80 – 16 = 64 sts ✓)

Work even in St st on 64 sts until armhole measures 8" (20.5 cm), ending after a WS row. (Approx 56 rows; total length ≈ 22" / 56 cm.)

Shoulder and Neck Bind-Off BO 16 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (64 – 16 – 16 = 32 sts ✓) BO remaining 32 sts for back neck.

FRONT

Work exactly as for Back to armhole shaping, including the same CO, ribbing, body length, and armhole decreases to 64 sts. Continue even until armhole measures 5½" (14 cm), ending after a WS row. (Approx 38–40 rows from first armhole BO.)

Crew Neck Shaping Mark center 16 sts. Next row (RS): K24, BO center 16 sts, k to end. (24 sts each side) Working both sides separately at the same time (or one side at a time), attach second ball for the second side.

Left Front Neck (as worn) WS rows: Purl. RS rows: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Rep dec every RS row 7 more times. (24 – 8 = 16 sts ✓) Work even until armhole matches Back (8" / 20.5 cm), ending after a WS row. BO remaining 16 sts.

Right Front Neck (as worn) WS rows: Purl. RS rows: K1, ssk, k to end. Rep dec every RS row 7 more times. (24 – 8 = 16 sts ✓) Work even until armhole matches Back. BO remaining 16 sts.

FINISHING

Block pieces to measurements. Shoulder seams: Sew front shoulders to back shoulders (16 sts each side) using mattress stitch or backstitch.

Side seams: Sew side seams from hem to underarm BO, matching rib and St st rows.

Armhole Edging (make 2) With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at underarm seam, pick up and knit 84 sts evenly around armhole (approx 3 sts for every 4 rows). (Validation: 8" depth × 2 sides × 7 rows/in ≈ 112 rows total perimeter; 3/4 pickup ≈ 84 sts ✓) Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1" (2.5 cm). BO loosely in rib.

Neck Edging With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at left shoulder seam, pick up and knit:

• 16 sts down left front neck,
• 16 sts across front BO,
• 16 sts up right front neck,
• 32 sts across back neck. Total 80 sts. (16+16+16+32 = 80 ✓) Pm for beg of rnd if using circular needle, or work back and forth and seam later. Work 1x1 rib for 1" (2.5 cm). BO loosely in rib. If worked flat, sew short neckband seam.

Weave in all ends. Block lightly again if desired.

Schematic (key dimensions)

          7" neck
     |---------------|
16 sts   32 sts   16 sts
     \_____________/     ← shoulders + neck (14¼")
      |           |
      |  armhole  | 8"
      |   depth   |
     /             \
    |               |    ← 20" back/front width
    |     body      | 14"
    |               |
     ---------------
          20"  (40" bust)
         2" rib

Yarn usage note: Expected consumption ≈ 550–650 m; 3 balls are sufficient with ~10% margin.

Custom fit tip: For longer/shorter vest, adjust body length before armhole. Keep armhole depth and neck drop unchanged for good fit.

Enjoy your new vest! This beginner pattern uses only knit, purl, basic decreases, and simple seaming.