purlJam

# Basic Layering Vest (Women's Size Large)

**Difficulty**: Beginner
**Machine**: Bulky (9mm) Gauge Machine with Ribber
**Yarn**: Worsted Weight Wool (Approx. 450g / 800m)
**Tension Settings**: 
- Ribbing: TD 3/3
- Main Body: TD 7 (Main Bed)

**Dimensions**:
- Finished Chest: 112 cm (44")
- Total Length: 64 cm (25")

**Required Tools**:
- 1x1, 2-prong, and 3-prong transfer tools
- Latch tool
- Cast-on comb and large weights
- Waste yarn and ravel cord
- Tapestry needle for seaming

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## 1. Back Piece
**Setup**: Arrange needles for 1x1 ribbing: **90 needles total** (L45 to R45). 
1. **Cast-on**:
   - Set carriage to TD 1/1. 
   - COL. Zig-zag row across 90 needles. Insert cast-on comb and weights.
   - Set for circular rows (Part/Tuck buttons). Knit 3 circular rows.
   - Reset carriage to N/N (Plain), TD 3/3.
2. **Ribbing**:
   - RC 000. Knit 1x1 rib for **18 rows**. (RC 018).
3. **Transition to Main Bed**:
   - Transfer all stitches from Ribber to Main Bed using the double-eye transfer tool.
   - Drop Ribber or move to lowest position.
   - Change Tension Dial to **TD 7**.
4. **Body**:
   - RC 018. COL. Knit in Stockinette until **RC 088** (approx. 40 cm / 15.7" from start).
5. **Armhole Shaping**:
   - RC 088. Cast off 5 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows (use latch tool bind off).
   - RC 090. Decrease 1 stitch at each end (using 2-prong tool for fully fashioned edge) every row 5 times.
   - *Math Check: 90 - 10 (bind offs) - 10 (decreases) = 70 stitches remaining.*
   - Continue straight until **RC 134** (Armhole depth approx. 21 cm).
6. **Shoulder & Back Neck**:
   - RC 134. Cast off 20 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows for shoulders.
   - RC 136. Cast off remaining 30 stitches for the back neck.
   - Cut yarn, remove piece from machine.

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## 2. Front Piece
1. **Ribbing & Body**:
   - Repeat steps 1 through 4 of the Back Piece.
   - Stop at **RC 088**.
2. **Armhole & V-Neck Shaping**:
   - *Note: Armhole and Neck shaping happen simultaneously.*
   - **RC 088**: Bind off 5 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows (as per back). 
   - **RC 090**: 
     - Split work in half. Move LH 40 stitches to Holding Position (E/D) or onto waste yarn. 
     - Work the Right Half (RH) first.
     - **Armhole (Edge)**: Decrease 1 stitch at the armhole edge every row 5 times.
     - **V-Neck (Center)**: Decrease 1 stitch at the center edge every 2nd row 15 times.
   - Continue until **RC 134**. 
   - *Math Check: 45 (half) - 5 (bind off) - 5 (armhole dec) - 15 (neck dec) = 20 stitches for shoulder.*
3. **Shoulder**:
   - RC 134. Bind off 20 shoulder stitches.
4. **Opposite Side**:
   - Re-attach yarn at center. Mirror shaping for the Left Half.

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## 3. Neckband (V-Neck)
1. **Setup**: Main Bed & Ribber. TD 3/3.
2. **Method**:
   - Pick up stitches along the Front V-neck left, Back Neck, and Front V-neck right.
   - Approx. 110-120 stitches. Ensure an odd number of stitches for a centered rib.
3. **Knit**:
   - Knit 8 rows of 1x1 rib.
   - For the V-point: On every row, use a transfer tool to move the two stitches adjacent to the center stitch onto the center needle to create a mitered V (optional for beginners; otherwise, knit straight and overlap at the point).
4. **Bind off**: Latch tool bind off loosely.

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## 4. Armhole Edging (x2)
1. **Setup**: Main Bed & Ribber. TD 3/3.
2. **Method**:
   - Pick up approx. 90-100 stitches around the armhole edge.
3. **Knit**:
   - Knit 6 rows of 1x1 rib.
4. **Bind off**: Latch tool bind off loosely.

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## 5. Finishing
1. **Seaming**: 
   - Join side seams using mattress stitch or latch tool.
   - Ensure ribbing lines up perfectly at the hem.
2. **Steaming**:
   - Lay flat. Lightly steam with a professional iron (do not touch the iron to the wool). 
   - Block to final dimensions: 56 cm width.
3. **Weave in ends**: Use tapestry needle to hide all yarn tails in the ribbing.