purlJam

# Cabled Vest

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate

This classic bottom-up vest is worked flat in separate front and back pieces, then seamed. The front features a striking central cable panel, while the back is worked in simple stockinette stitch. A ribbed hem and armhole bands, along with a tidy V-neck, complete this timeless design. Perfect for showcasing your favorite worsted weight yarn and cable skills.

**Sizes:** XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
**Finished Bust Circumference:** 32 (36, 38, 40, 44, 48) inches / 81 (91.5, 96.5, 101.5, 112, 122) cm
_Note: The pattern instructions for stitch counts are written for all sizes, with Size L corresponding to the requested 180 starting stitches._

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn, approximately 700 (750, 800, 850, 950, 1050) yards / 640 (685, 730, 777, 868, 960) meters.
*Sample shown in gray worsted weight wool blend.*

**Needles:**
*   **Main Needles:** US 8 (5 mm) straight or 24-inch (60 cm) circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
*   **Ribbing Needles:** US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or 24-inch (60 cm) circular needles, or one size smaller than Main Needles.
*   **For Bands:** US 7 (4.5 mm) 16-inch (40 cm) circular needles (or preferred length for working small circumferences) for neckband and armhole bands.

**Gauge:**
18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch on Main Needles, blocked.
*It is crucial to check your gauge to ensure your finished garment will match the intended dimensions.*

**Terminology & Abbreviations:**
*   **k** - knit
*   **p** - purl
*   **RS** - Right Side
*   **WS** - Wrong Side
*   **CO** - Cast On
*   **BO** - Bind Off
*   **st(s)** - stitch(es)
*   **rep** - repeat
*   **rnd(s)** - round(s)
*   **k2tog** - knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
*   **ssk** - slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
*   **C6F** - Cable 6 Front: Slip 3 stitches onto cable needle, hold in front of work, knit next 3 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit 3 stitches from cable needle.

**Pattern Notes:**
*   This vest is worked flat in two pieces (Front and Back) from the bottom up.
*   Sizes are written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL).
*   Always slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front for a neat selvedge edge, unless otherwise specified for ribbing or shaping.
*   Blocking is essential for opening up the cable pattern and achieving the correct finished dimensions.

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## Pattern Instructions

### Back Piece

Using Ribbing Needles, CO 72 (80, 86, 90, 100, 108) stitches.
(XS: 72 sts, S: 80 sts, M: 86 sts, L: 90 sts, XL: 100 sts, 2XL: 108 sts)

**Ribbing (2x2 Rib):**
**Row 1 (RS):** [K2, P2] to last 0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0) st(s), K0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0).
**Row 2 (WS):** [P2, K2] to last 0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0) st(s), P0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0).
Repeat these 2 rows until piece measures 2 inches (5 cm) from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Body:**
Switch to Main Needles.
Work in Stockinette Stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until piece measures 12 (12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14) inches / 30.5 (30.5, 31.5, 33, 34.5, 35.5) cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
_For Size L, this will be approximately 72 rows after ribbing. Total length before armhole shaping: 2 inches (ribbing) + 13 inches (body) = 15 inches._

**Armhole Shaping:**
**BO Row (RS):** BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts at beginning of row. (68 (76, 81, 85, 94, 102) sts remain)
**BO Row (WS):** BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts at beginning of row. (64 (72, 76, 80, 88, 96) sts remain)
**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. (2 sts decreased)
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.
Repeat Decrease Row (RS) every RS row 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) more times. (58 (64, 70, 74, 78, 86) sts remain)
Work even in Stockinette Stitch until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches / 20.5 (21.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm from first BO, ending with a WS row.
_For Size L, this means working 9 inches of armhole depth (54 rows)._

**Shoulder Shaping:**
**BO Row (RS):** BO 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beginning of row. Work to end.
**BO Row (WS):** BO 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beginning of row. Work to end.
Repeat these 2 BO rows 2 more times.
(28 (28, 28, 26, 30, 32) sts remain for neck edge)
BO remaining 28 (28, 28, 26, 30, 32) sts.

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### Front Piece

Using Ribbing Needles, CO 72 (80, 86, 90, 100, 108) stitches.
(XS: 72 sts, S: 80 sts, M: 86 sts, L: 90 sts, XL: 100 sts, 2XL: 108 sts)

**Ribbing (2x2 Rib):**
**Row 1 (RS):** [K2, P2] to last 0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0) st(s), K0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0).
**Row 2 (WS):** [P2, K2] to last 0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0) st(s), P0 (0, 2, 2, 0, 0).
Repeat these 2 rows until piece measures 2 inches (5 cm) from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Body:**
Switch to Main Needles.
The cable panel consists of 26 stitches: P2, (C6F, P2) repeated 3 times.
Number of stockinette stitches on each side of the cable panel:
XS: 23 sts, S: 27 sts, M: 30 sts, L: 32 sts, XL: 37 sts, 2XL: 41 sts.

**Establish Cable Pattern:**
**Set-up Row (RS):** K 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts, P2, k6, P2, k6, P2, k6, P2, K 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts.
**Row 1 (WS):** P 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts, K2, p6, K2, p6, K2, p6, K2, P 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts.
**Row 2 (RS - Cable Row):** K 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts, P2, C6F, P2, C6F, P2, C6F, P2, K 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts.
**Row 3 (WS):** P 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts, K2, p6, K2, p6, K2, p6, K2, P 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts.
**Row 4 (RS):** K 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts, P2, k6, P2, k6, P2, k6, P2, K 23 (27, 30, 32, 37, 41) sts.
Repeat Rows 1-4 for Cable Pattern.

Work in established pattern (stockinette on sides, cable panel in center) until piece measures 12 (12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14) inches / 30.5 (30.5, 31.5, 33, 34.5, 35.5) cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
_For Size L, this will be approximately 72 rows after ribbing. Total length before armhole/neck shaping: 2 inches (ribbing) + 13 inches (body) = 15 inches._

**Armhole and V-Neck Shaping (at the same time):**

**V-Neck Set-up Row (RS):**
Knit to center st (total 72 (80, 86, 90, 100, 108) sts / 2 = 36 (40, 43, 45, 50, 54) sts).
Place next center st on a stitch holder.
_You now have 35 (39, 42, 44, 49, 53) sts for each side of the V-neck. Work one side at a time._

**Shape Armhole and Neck – Right Front:**
(Working on the side that started with knitting)
**Armhole BO Row (RS):** BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. (30 (34, 36, 38, 42, 46) sts remain)
**Armhole BO Row (WS):** Purl in pattern to end.
**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. (2 sts decreased)
**Next Row (WS):** Purl in pattern to end.
Repeat Decrease Row (RS) 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) more times. (24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 36) sts remain)
Continue working in pattern, decreasing 1 st at neck edge (k2tog, K1) every RS row and 1 st at armhole edge (K1, ssk) every other RS row, until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches / 20.5 (21.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm from first BO.
At the same time, continue decreasing 1 st at neck edge on every other RS row until 15 (18, 21, 24, 24, 27) sts remain for shoulder.
_For Size L, this means working 9 inches of armhole depth (54 rows)._

**Shoulder Shaping (Right Front):**
**BO Row (RS):** BO 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beginning of row. Work to end.
**BO Row (WS):** Work to end.
Repeat these 2 BO rows 2 more times.
BO remaining 0 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0) sts. (This should be 0, as shoulder shaping should use up all stitches).
_Wait, I need to ensure shoulder BO consumes all stitches. The shoulder stitches should be 15 (18, 21, 24, 24, 27)._
_Shoulder BOs: 3x 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9). Total BO: 15 (18, 21, 24, 24, 27). This matches the remaining shoulder stitches perfectly._

**Shape Armhole and Neck – Left Front:**
(Working on the side that ended with knitting)
Rejoin yarn at armhole edge.
**Armhole BO Row (RS):** Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts. (30 (34, 36, 38, 42, 46) sts remain)
**Armhole BO Row (WS):** BO 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts, purl in pattern to end.
**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. (2 sts decreased)
**Next Row (WS):** Purl in pattern to end.
Repeat Decrease Row (RS) 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) more times. (24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 36) sts remain)
Continue working in pattern, decreasing 1 st at neck edge (K1, ssk) every RS row and 1 st at armhole edge (k2tog, K1) every other RS row, until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches / 20.5 (21.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm from first BO.
At the same time, continue decreasing 1 st at neck edge on every other RS row until 15 (18, 21, 24, 24, 27) sts remain for shoulder.

**Shoulder Shaping (Left Front):**
**BO Row (WS):** BO 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beginning of row. Work to end.
**BO Row (RS):** Work to end.
Repeat these 2 BO rows 2 more times.
BO remaining 0 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0) sts.

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### Finishing

**Seaming:**
Block all pieces gently to measurements.
Sew shoulder seams using mattress stitch or preferred method.
Sew side seams using mattress stitch or preferred method, leaving the top 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches / 20.5 (21.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm open for armholes.

**V-Neckband:**
Using Ribbing Needles (16-inch / 40 cm circular), with RS facing, pick up and knit approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows along the left front neck edge, pick up the reserved center stitch, pick up and knit approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows along the right front neck edge, and pick up and knit 1 stitch for every bound off stitch along the back neck edge.
_Ensure total picked-up stitches are a multiple of 4 + 2 if you want to start and end with K2 for 2x2 ribbing at the front point, or just a multiple of 4 if you start with P2. Aim for approx. 120-140 stitches depending on size._
Work in 2x2 Rib (K2, P2) for 1 inch (2.5 cm).
BO loosely in pattern.

**Armhole Bands:**
Using Ribbing Needles (16-inch / 40 cm circular), with RS facing, pick up and knit approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows around each armhole opening.
_Aim for approximately 80-100 stitches depending on size, ensuring the total is a multiple of 4._
Work in 2x2 Rib (K2, P2) for 1 inch (2.5 cm).
BO loosely in pattern.

Weave in all remaining ends.

Enjoy your new Cabled Vest!