purlJam

# CHUNKY VEST KNITTING PATTERN

**An Intermediate Level Knitting Project**

---

## OVERVIEW

This chunky vest features a relaxed, versatile design perfect for layering. Worked in bulky weight yarn, it knits up quickly and features simple shaping, ribbed edges, and a flattering V-neck. The vest is worked flat in pieces and seamed for a professional finish.

---

## SIZES

- Small (Medium, Large, XL, 2XL)
- To fit bust: 81-86 (91-97, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127) cm / 32-34 (36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50) inches

**Finished Bust Measurement:**
- 91 (102, 112, 122, 132) cm / 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) inches

**Finished Length from Shoulder:**
- 56 (58, 60, 62, 64) cm / 22 (23, 23.5, 24.5, 25) inches

*Vest is designed with approximately 5-10 cm / 2-4 inches of positive ease for a relaxed fit.*

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Bulky weight (12 ply) wool or wool blend yarn
- Approximately 400 (450, 500, 550, 600) metres / 437 (492, 547, 601, 656) yards
- Sample shown in natural grey wool

**Needles:**
- 6.5mm (UK 3, US 10.5) circular or straight needles for main body
- 5.5mm (UK 5, US 9) circular or straight needles for ribbing
- Or size needed to obtain correct tension

**Notions:**
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch markers (optional but helpful)
- Measuring tape

---

## TENSION (GAUGE)

**14 stitches and 20 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch on 6.5mm needles**

*Tension is critical for proper fit. Take time to check your tension and adjust needle size if necessary. If you have more stitches per 10 cm, use larger needles. If you have fewer stitches, use smaller needles.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
- st st = stocking stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)
- cm = centimetres
- inc = increase
- dec = decrease
- beg = beginning
- cont = continue
- rem = remaining
- rep = repeat

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- Vest is worked flat in separate pieces (back and front) from bottom to shoulders
- All pieces begin with ribbed edging on smaller needles
- V-neck shaping begins at centre front after ribbing
- Armholes are shaped with bind-offs and decreases
- Shoulder seams are joined, then armhole and side seams
- Neckline and armholes are finished with picked-up ribbing

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK

**Ribbing:**

Using 5.5mm needles, cast on 64 (72, 78, 86, 92) sts.

**Row 1 (RS):** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

**Row 2 (WS):** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 5 cm (2 inches), ending with a WS row.

**Body:**

Change to 6.5mm needles.

Beginning with a knit row, work in st st (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures 33 (34, 35, 36, 37) cm / 13 (13.5, 13.75, 14.25, 14.5) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Armholes:**

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, knit to end.

**Next Row (WS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, purl to end. 
56 (62, 68, 74, 80) sts rem.

**Next Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Rep last 2 rows 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) more times.
48 (52, 56, 60, 64) sts rem.

Continue even in st st until armhole measures 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) cm / 8 (8.25, 8.75, 9, 9.5) inches from beginning of armhole shaping, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Shoulders:**

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, knit until there are 12 (13, 15, 16, 18) sts on right needle, turn and place rem sts on holder.

**Left Shoulder:**

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, knit to end. 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) sts rem.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Cast off rem 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) sts.

**Right Shoulder:**

Return to held sts. Place centre 16 (16, 16, 18, 18) sts on holder for back neck. Rejoin yarn to rem 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, knit to end. 12 (13, 15, 16, 18) sts rem.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, knit to end. 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) sts rem.

Cast off rem sts.

---

### FRONT

**Ribbing:**

Using 5.5mm needles, cast on 64 (72, 78, 86, 92) sts.

**Row 1 (RS):** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

**Row 2 (WS):** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 5 cm (2 inches), ending with a WS row.

**Body:**

Change to 6.5mm needles.

Beginning with a knit row, work in st st until piece measures 33 (34, 35, 36, 37) cm / 13 (13.5, 13.75, 14.25, 14.5) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Armholes and Begin V-Neck:**

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, k to centre of work. Place marker at centre stitch (32nd [36th, 39th, 43rd, 46th] stitch).

Count sts carefully: you should have 28 (31, 34, 37, 40) sts before centre stitch and 32 (36, 39, 43, 46) sts including and after centre stitch.

**Next Row (WS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, purl to end.
56 (62, 68, 74, 80) sts rem total.

**Divide for V-Neck:**

**Next Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to 2 sts before centre marker, k2tog. Place these sts on holder for left front. Cast off centre st, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Work right front first.

**Right Front:**

You should have 26 (29, 32, 35, 38) sts.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Next Row (RS):** K1, ssk (for armhole), knit to last 3 sts, k2tog (for neck), k1.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Rep last 2 rows 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) more times.
18 (19, 20, 21, 22) sts rem.

**Continue Armhole Shaping Complete, Continue Neck Shaping:**

**Next Row (RS):** Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Rep last 2 rows 2 (1, 0, 0, 0) more times.
16 (18, 20, 21, 22) sts rem.

For sizes Small and Medium only: Continue decreasing at neck edge every 4th row 0 (2, 0, 0, 0) times. 16 (16, 20, 21, 22) sts rem.

For all sizes: Continue even until armhole measures same as back to shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Shoulder:**

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, knit to end. 12 (13, 15, 16, 18) sts rem.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, knit to end. 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) sts rem.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Cast off rem sts.

**Left Front:**

Return to held sts. With RS facing, rejoin yarn.

You should have 27 (30, 33, 36, 39) sts.

**Next Row (RS):** K1, ssk (for neck), knit to last 3 sts, k2tog (for armhole), k1.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Next Row (RS):** K1, ssk (for neck), knit to last 3 sts, k2tog (for armhole), k1.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Rep last 2 rows 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) more times.
18 (19, 20, 21, 22) sts rem.

**Continue Armhole Shaping Complete, Continue Neck Shaping:**

**Next Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to end.

**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Rep last 2 rows 2 (1, 0, 0, 0) more times.
16 (18, 20, 21, 22) sts rem.

For sizes Small and Medium only: Continue decreasing at neck edge every 4th row 0 (2, 0, 0, 0) times. 16 (16, 20, 21, 22) sts rem.

For all sizes: Continue even until armhole measures same as back to shoulder shaping, ending with a RS row.

**Shape Shoulder:**

**Next Row (WS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, purl to end. 12 (13, 15, 16, 18) sts rem.

**Next Row (RS):** Knit.

**Next Row (WS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts, purl to end. 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) sts rem.

**Next Row (RS):** Knit.

Cast off rem sts.

---

## FINISHING

### BLOCKING

Gently steam or wet block all pieces to measurements. Pin flat and allow to dry completely. This will even out stitches and help pieces maintain their shape.

### SEAMING

Using mattress stitch or your preferred seaming method:

1. Join shoulder seams with right sides together.
2. Join side seams from bottom ribbing to underarm.
3. Weave in all ends securely.

### ARMHOLE EDGING

With RS facing and 5.5mm needles, starting at underarm seam, pick up and knit approximately 60 (64, 68, 72, 76) sts evenly around armhole. Adjust stitch count if needed to work k2, p2 ribbing evenly.

**Round 1:** *K2, p2; rep from * to end. Join to work in the round if using circular needles, or work back and forth.

**Round/Row 2:** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Work ribbing for 2.5 cm (1 inch).

Cast off in pattern.

Repeat for second armhole.

### NECKLINE EDGING

With RS facing and 5.5mm needles, starting at bottom of V-neck on right front, pick up and knit sts as follows:

- Pick up approximately 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts along right front neck edge to shoulder
- Pick up and knit 16 (16, 16, 18, 18) sts from back neck holder
- Pick up approximately 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts along left front neck edge

Total approximately 76 (80, 84, 90, 94) sts. Adjust to multiple of 4 if needed.

If working flat:

**Row 1 (WS):** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

**Row 2 (RS):** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

When you reach the centre V point, work decreases to maintain the V-shape:

At centre V on RS rows: Work in ribbing to 2 sts before centre V, k2tog, work centre st, ssk, continue in ribbing.

Work ribbing for 2.5 cm (1 inch), working V-neck decreases every RS row.

Cast off in pattern.

### FINAL DETAILS

Weave in any remaining ends. Gently steam seams if needed. Try on vest and adjust if necessary.

---

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water with wool-safe detergent. Roll in a towel to remove excess water, then lay flat to dry. Do not wring or twist. Store folded to maintain shape.

---

## DESIGN NOTES

This chunky vest pattern is designed for versatility and quick knitting. The bulky yarn creates excellent stitch definition while working up in record time. The relaxed fit makes it perfect for layering over long-sleeved tops or lightweight jumpers. 

The V-neck shaping is worked simultaneously with armhole shaping at the beginning, then continues independently, creating a flattering neckline that sits well. The ribbed edges provide structure and prevent rolling while complementing the stockinette body.

**Customisation Ideas:**
- Add a cable panel down the centre back for extra texture
- Work in colourful stripes by changing colours every 10 rows
- Extend the length for a tunic-style vest
- Add pockets by picking up stitches at hip level and working downward
- Work entirely in rib for an extra cosy, textured finish

**Styling Suggestions:**
- Layer over a crisp white shirt for a polished look
- Wear with a turtleneck underneath during colder months
- Pair with jeans and boots for casual weekend wear
- Dress up with trousers and statement jewellery

---

## PATTERN SUPPORT

If you have questions about this pattern, please double-check your tension first, as this affects all measurements and shaping. Count your stitches regularly to catch any errors early. Use stitch markers to help track shaping rows and pattern repeats.

---

*This pattern is designed for intermediate knitters comfortable with sh