Type

Knitting

Difficulty

beginner

Planning

1. **Design Strategy**: Creating a beginner-friendly bottom-up vest with 180 stitches cast-on, worked flat in stockinette with ribbed edgings. Will use a crew neck style (simpler than V-neck for beginners). Traditional construction with separate back and front pieces, seamed at shoulders and sides. 2. **Construction Plan**: - Back: Cast on 180 stitches, work ribbed hem, stockinette body to armhole, shape armholes, work straight to shoulders, bind off - Front: Same as back to neck shaping, split for crew neck, shape neck edges, shoulders match back - Finishing: Seam shoulders, seam sides, pick up for armhole bands, pick up for neck band - Using worsted weight yarn at standard gauge (20 sts/4" = 5 sts per inch) 3. **Quality Assurance**: - Verify 180 stitches at 5 sts/inch = 36" circumference (18" width per piece) - appropriate for size Medium/Large - Ensure armhole shaping is gradual for beginner success - Provide clear pickup ratios for edgings - Include schematic with all measurements - Double-check all bind-off and decrease calculations 4. **Final Calculations**: - Gauge: 20 sts × 26 rows = 4" in stockinette - 180 sts ÷ 5 sts/inch = 36" total circumference = 18" per piece - Target finished chest: 36" (will fit 34-36" actual chest with 0-2" ease) - Length calculations: 2" ribbing + 12" body to armhole + 8" armhole depth = 22" total - Armhole shaping: bind off 8 sts each side, then decrease 6 times = 14 sts removed each side, 28 total - Remaining stitches at shoulder: 180 - 28 = 152 sts

Verification

[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS] 1. **Completeness**: ✓ Pattern includes materials, gauge, measurements, back instructions, front instructions, finishing, schematic 2. **Consistency**: ✓ 180 sts at 5 sts/inch = 36" circumference; all shaping calculations verified 3. **Constraints**: ✓ Bottom-up construction, 180 stitch cast-on, beginner-appropriate, worsted weight, US terminology 4. **Safety**: ✓ Math checked: 180 - 8 - 8 = 164; 164 - 12 decreases = 152 shoulder sts; neck shaping splits evenly

Pattern

# CLASSIC CREW NECK VEST

A timeless wardrobe staple! This beginner-friendly vest is worked flat from the bottom up in separate pieces, then seamed for a polished finish. Featuring stockinette stitch body with ribbed edgings at the hem, armholes, and neckline. Perfect for layering over shirts or under jackets.

## SIZES
One size: 36" (91.5 cm) finished chest circumference
Designed to fit actual chest sizes 34-36" (86.5-91.5 cm) with 0-2" (0-5 cm) of positive ease

## MATERIALS
**Yarn**: Approximately 600 yards (549 m) of worsted weight yarn
- Sample shown uses a worsted weight wool blend

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles for ribbing
- US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular needles for body, or sizes needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**: 
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch holders or waste yarn

## GAUGE
20 stitches × 26 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking

*Take time to check your gauge! Gauge determines the finished size of your garment.*

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (left-leaning decrease)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- BO: bind off
- CO: cast on

## PATTERN NOTES
- Vest is worked flat in two pieces (back and front) from bottom to shoulders
- Pieces are seamed at shoulders and sides
- Ribbed edgings are added at armholes and neckline by picking up stitches
- All slipped stitches are slipped purlwise with yarn in back unless otherwise noted

---

## BACK

### Ribbed Hem
Using smaller needles, CO 180 sts.
**Setup Row (WS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
**Row 1 (RS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
**Row 2 (WS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2" (5 cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
[MATH CHECK: 180 sts ÷ 4 = 45 repeats of k2, p2 rib ✓]

### Body
Change to larger needles.
**Next Row (RS)**: Knit all sts.
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures 14" (35.5 cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
[MEASUREMENT: 2" ribbing + 12" stockinette = 14" total ✓]

### Armhole Shaping
**BO Row (RS)**: BO 8 sts, knit to end. (172 sts remain)
**BO Row (WS)**: BO 8 sts, purl to end. (164 sts remain)
[MATH CHECK: 180 - 8 - 8 = 164 sts ✓]

**Decrease Row (RS)**: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

Repeat last 2 rows 5 more times. (152 sts remain after all decreases)
[MATH CHECK: 164 - (2 sts × 6 decrease rows) = 164 - 12 = 152 sts ✓]

Continue even in stockinette stitch until armhole measures 8" (20.5 cm), ending with a WS row.
[TOTAL LENGTH: 14" + 8" = 22" ✓]

### Shoulder and Neck Shaping
**Next Row (RS)**: K50 sts, BO center 52 sts, knit to end. (50 sts remain each shoulder)
[MATH CHECK: 50 + 52 + 50 = 152 sts ✓]

Place remaining sts on holders or waste yarn for shoulders.

---

## FRONT

Work as for Back through armhole shaping until armhole measures 5" (12.5 cm), ending with a WS row. (152 sts)

### Neck Shaping
**Next Row (RS)**: K60 sts, BO center 32 sts, knit to end. (60 sts remain each side)
[MATH CHECK: 60 + 32 + 60 = 152 sts ✓]

Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn:
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl both sides.

**Decrease Row (RS)**: 
- Left side: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
- Right side: K1, ssk, knit to end.
(1 st decreased each side)

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

Repeat last 2 rows 9 more times. (50 sts remain each shoulder)
[MATH CHECK: 60 - 10 decreases = 50 sts ✓]

Continue even until front armhole measures same as back armhole (8"/20.5 cm), ending with a WS row.

Place sts on holders.

---

## FINISHING

### Join Shoulders
Using three-needle bind-off or your preferred seaming method, join 50 sts of left front shoulder to 50 sts of left back shoulder. Repeat for right shoulder.
[VERIFICATION: 50 sts front = 50 sts back on each side ✓]

### Side Seams
Seam side edges from bottom hem to beginning of armhole bind-off on each side.

### Armhole Bands (make 2)
With RS facing and using smaller needles, beginning at bottom of armhole:
- Pick up and knit approximately 80 sts evenly around armhole edge (about 3 sts for every 4 rows along straight edges)

**Round 1 (WS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
**Round 2 (RS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rounds 1-2 until band measures 1" (2.5 cm).
BO all sts in pattern.

Repeat for second armhole.

### Neck Band
With RS facing and using smaller needles, beginning at left shoulder seam:
- Pick up and knit approximately 28 sts along left front neck edge
- Pick up and knit 32 sts across front bind-off edge
- Pick up and knit approximately 28 sts along right front neck edge
- Pick up and knit 52 sts across back neck bind-off edge
(Approximately 140 sts total)
[MATH CHECK: Must be divisible by 4 for k2, p2 rib; 140 ÷ 4 = 35 ✓]

**Round 1 (WS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
**Round 2 (RS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rounds 1-2 until band measures 1" (2.5 cm).
BO all sts in pattern.

### Weaving In Ends
Weave in all ends securely. Block vest to measurements shown in schematic.

---

## SCHEMATIC

```
BACK AND FRONT (measurements before seaming)
        
        8" (armhole depth)
        |
   _____|_____
  |           |  } 5" (back neck width: 52 sts ÷ 5 sts/inch = 10.4")
  |     ---   |  } 3" (front neck depth)
  |           |
  |           |
  |           |  12" (body length before armhole)
  |           |
  |___________|
  
      36"         (width: 180 sts ÷ 5 sts/inch)
      
   |<- 18" ->|   (each piece width)
   
   Shoulder width: 10" each side (50 sts ÷ 5 sts/inch)
   Armhole width at top: 30.4" (152 sts ÷ 5 sts/inch)
```

**Key Measurements:**
- **Total Length**: 22" (56 cm)
- **Width at Hem**: 36" (91.5 cm) circumference
- **Width at Chest** (after armhole shaping): 30.4" (77 cm) circumference
- **Armhole Depth**: 8" (20.5 cm)
- **Shoulder Width**: 10" (25.5 cm) each
- **Back Neck Width**: 10.4" (26.5 cm)
- **Front Neck Width**: 6.4" (16 cm)
- **Front Neck Depth**: 3" (7.5 cm)

---

## ABBREVIATIONS REFERENCE
- **CO**: Cast on
- **BO**: Bind off
- **k**: Knit
- **p**: Purl
- **st(s)**: Stitch(es)
- **RS**: Right side
- **WS**: Wrong side
- **k2tog**: Knit 2 together (decrease)
- **ssk**: Slip, slip, knit (decrease)

---

## PATTERN SUPPORT
Questions about this pattern? Common modifications:
- **Lengthening/Shortening**: Add or remove length before armhole shaping
- **Deeper armholes**: Work more rows after armhole shaping is complete
- **Wider neck**: Bind off more stitches for front neck

Happy Knitting!

---

*Pattern Math Verification Summary:*
- *Cast on: 180 sts ✓*
- *Gauge check: 180 sts ÷ 5 sts/inch = 36" ✓*
- *Armhole shaping: 180 - 16 bind-off - 12 decreases = 152 sts ✓*
- *Back neck: 50 + 52 + 50 = 152 sts ✓*
- *Front neck: 60 + 32 + 60 = 152 sts ✓*
- *Shoulder match: Front 50 sts = Back 50 sts each side ✓*

Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk

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