purlJam

# Classic V-Neck Vest
*A beginner-friendly layering vest in worsted-weight yarn*

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## Sizes
To fit chest: **XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)**
81 (86, 96, 107, 117, 132) cm / 32 (34, 38, 42, 46, 52) in

**Finished chest measurement:** 82 (88, 98, 108, 118, 132) cm / 32¼ (34¾, 38½, 42½, 46½, 52) in
*(includes approx. 2.5 cm / 1 in positive ease)*

**Finished length (shoulder to hem):** 55 (56, 57, 58, 59, 60) cm / 21¾ (22, 22½, 23, 23¼, 23½) in

Instructions are given for the smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. Where only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted-weight (10-ply / Aran-adjacent) wool or wool blend
  - Approx. 600 (650, 750, 850, 950, 1100) m / 656 (711, 820, 929, 1039, 1203) yds
  - Approx. 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) × 100 g balls
- **Needles:**
  - 4.5 mm (UK 7 / US 7) straight or circular needles — main fabric
  - 4.0 mm (UK 8 / US 6) needles — ribbing
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, scissors

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## Tension (Gauge)

**20 sts × 28 rows = 10 cm / 4 in** in stocking stitch on 4.5 mm needles, after blocking.

*Always work a tension swatch before starting — adjust needle size as needed.*

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **k2tog** – knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit those 2 sts together through back loops (left-leaning decrease)
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **rep** – repeat
- **rem** – remaining
- **beg** – beginning
- **cast off** – bind off

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## Construction Notes

This vest is worked **flat in two pieces** (back and front) from the bottom up in stocking stitch with 1×1 rib hems. The front has a V-neck. After knitting, shoulder seams are joined, side seams sewn, and ribbed edgings are picked up around the armholes and neckline. Perfect for confident beginners ready to try simple shaping.

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## BACK

With **4.0 mm** needles, cast on **82 (88, 98, 108, 118, 132)** sts.

**Ribbed hem:**
- **Row 1 (RS):** *k1, p1*; rep from * to end.
- **Row 2 (WS):** *p1, k1*; rep from * to end.
- Repeat Rows 1–2 until rib measures **5 cm / 2 in**, ending with a WS row.

Change to **4.5 mm** needles and begin **stocking stitch** (k all RS rows, p all WS rows).

Continue straight until work measures **35 cm / 13¾ in** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

✅ *Check: you should still have 82 (88, 98, 108, 118, 132) sts.*

### Shape armholes

- **Row 1 (RS):** Cast off 5 sts, k to end. → 77 (83, 93, 103, 113, 127) sts
- **Row 2 (WS):** Cast off 5 sts, p to end. → 72 (78, 88, 98, 108, 122) sts
- **Row 3 (RS):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. → 70 (76, 86, 96, 106, 120) sts
- **Row 4 (WS):** Purl.
- Rep Rows 3–4 a further **5** times. → 60 (66, 76, 86, 96, 110) sts

Continue straight in st st until armhole measures **20 (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) cm / 8 (8¼, 8¾, 9, 9½, 9¾) in** from start of armhole shaping, ending with a WS row.

### Shape shoulders & back neck

- **Row 1 (RS):** Cast off 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 27) sts, k until there are 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 13) sts on right needle after cast-off, cast off centre 16 (16, 20, 24, 26, 30) sts, k to end.
- Working each shoulder separately on rem **7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 13)** sts, purl 1 row, then cast off rem sts.

✅ *Check: shoulder sts 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 27) + 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 13) = 22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 40) per side. Back neck = 16 (16, 20, 24, 26, 30). Total: 22 + 22 + 16 = 60 ✓ for XS (etc.).*

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## FRONT

Work as for Back until armhole shaping is complete.
You should have **60 (66, 76, 86, 96, 110)** sts.

Continue straight in st st until armhole measures **5 cm / 2 in**, ending with a WS row.

### Divide for V-neck

- **Next row (RS):** k 30 (33, 38, 43, 48, 55), turn. Place remaining 30 (33, 38, 43, 48, 55) sts on a holder for the right side of neck.

You will now work the **left front** first.

### Left front neck shaping

- **Row 1 (WS):** Purl.
- **Row 2 (RS):** k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(1 st decreased at neck edge)*
- **Rows 3–4:** Work straight in st st.
- Repeat Rows 1–4 a further **7** times. → 22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 40) sts

✅ *Check: 8 decreases worked over 32 rows = approx. 11.4 cm of neck shaping.*

Continue straight until armhole measures the same as Back to shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row.

**Shape left shoulder:**
- **Next row (RS):** Cast off 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 27) sts, k to end. → 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 13) sts
- Purl 1 row. Cast off rem sts.

### Right front neck shaping

Rejoin yarn to the held 30 (33, 38, 43, 48, 55) sts with RS facing.

- **Row 1 (RS):** k1, ssk, k to end. *(1 st decreased at neck edge)*
- **Row 2 (WS):** Purl.
- **Rows 3–4:** Work straight in st st.
- Repeat Rows 1–4 a further **7** times. → 22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 40) sts

Continue straight until armhole measures the same as Back, ending with a **RS row**.

**Shape right shoulder:**
- **Next row (WS):** Cast off 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 27) sts purlwise, p to end. → 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 13) sts
- Knit 1 row. Cast off rem sts.

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## FINISHING

### Blocking
Weave in loose ends. Gently wet-block both pieces to schematic measurements; allow to dry flat.

### Shoulder seams
With RS together, sew the front and back shoulders using mattress stitch or a 3-needle cast-off.

### Neckband
With **4.0 mm** needles and RS facing, beginning at the right shoulder seam:
- Pick up and knit **40 (40, 44, 48, 50, 54)** sts along back neck,
- **50 (52, 54, 56, 58, 60)** sts down left front to V-point,
- Place a marker at V-point and pick up **1 st** at centre V,
- **50 (52, 54, 56, 58, 60)** sts up right front to shoulder.

Total: **141 (145, 153, 161, 167, 175)** sts.

Working back and forth (or join in the round if preferred):

- **Row 1 (WS):** *p1, k1*; rep to 1 st before marker, p1 (centre), *k1, p1*; rep to end.
- **Row 2 (RS):** Work in rib as set to 2 sts before centre st, k2tog, k1 (centre), ssk, work in rib to end.
- Rep these 2 rows for **2.5 cm / 1 in**, maintaining the centre double-decrease each RS row.

Cast off loosely in rib, continuing to decrease at the V-point on the cast-off row.

Sew short edge of neckband neatly at the back of the right shoulder if worked flat.

### Side seams
With RS together, sew side seams using mattress stitch from hem to underarm.

### Armhole bands (make 2)
With **4.0 mm** needles and RS facing, beginning at the underarm seam, pick up and knit **88 (92, 96, 100, 104, 108)** sts evenly around the armhole.

- Join to work in the round; place marker at beg of round.
- **Round 1:** *k1, p1*; rep to end.
- Rep this round until band measures **2.5 cm / 1 in**.
- Cast off loosely in rib.

### Final steps
Weave in any remaining ends. Lightly steam-block edges if needed.

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## Schematic Measurements

| Measurement | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest (cm) | 82 | 88 | 98 | 108 | 118 | 132 |
| Length (cm) | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
| Armhole depth (cm) | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| Shoulder width (cm) | 11 | 12.5 | 14 | 15.5 | 17 | 20 |
| Back neck width (cm) | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 |

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**Congratulations — you've completed your V-neck vest!** 🧶
A perfect layering piece for any season. Enjoy wearing your handmade creation.