purlJam

# Classic Wool Round Neck Vest

This classic layering piece is designed for the beginner knitter. Worked in worsted weight wool, it features a comfortable round neck and neat ribbed edges.

**Difficulty:** Beginner
**Sizes:** XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
**To Fit Bust:** 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52) inches / 81 (91, 102, 112, 122, 132) cm
**Finished Chest Circumference:** 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches / 86 (96, 107, 117, 127, 137) cm

### Materials
* **Yarn:** Approximately 600 (700, 850, 950, 1100, 1250) yards of Worsted Weight Wool.
* **Needles:** 
    * US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles (for ribbing).
    * US 8 (5.0 mm) straight or circular needles (for body).
    * US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needle (for neckline).
* **Notions:** Stitch markers, stitch holder or scrap yarn, tapestry needle, measuring tape.

### Gauge
18 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch on US 8 (5 mm) needles.

### Abbreviations (US Terminology)
* **k:** knit
* **p:** purl
* **st(s):** stitch(es)
* **RS / WS:** Right Side / Wrong Side
* **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
* **ssk:** slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (1 st decreased)
* **BO:** bind off
* **CO:** cast on

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### BACK
**Hem**
Using smaller needles (US 7), CO 76 (86, 94, 104, 112, 122) sts.
**Row 1 (RS):** *k1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Row 1 for 2" (5 cm), ending on a WS row.

**Body**
Switch to larger needles (US 8).
**Row 1 (RS):** Knit all sts.
**Row 2 (WS):** Purl all sts.
Continue in Stockinette stitch until piece measures 14" (35.5 cm) from CO edge, or desired length to underarm, ending on a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping**
BO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. [68 (76, 84, 92, 100, 108) sts remaining].
**Next Row (Decrease - RS):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [2 sts decreased].
**Next Row (WS):** Purl all sts.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) more times. [60 (66, 72, 78, 84, 90) sts remaining].

Continue even in Stockinette until armhole measures 7.5 (8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches / 19 (20, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm from the first BO row, ending on a WS row.

**Shoulder and Back Neck**
BO 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts for shoulder, k32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42) and place on holder for neck, BO remaining 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts for second shoulder.

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### FRONT
Work same as BACK until armhole measures 4.5 (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7) inches / 11.5 (12.5, 14, 15, 16.5, 18) cm from the first BO row, ending on a WS row.

**Neck Shaping**
**Next Row (RS):** k24 (27, 30, 33, 36, 39), join a second ball of yarn and BO the center 12 (12, 12, 12, 12, 12) sts, k to end.
Working both sides at the same time with separate balls of yarn:
**Next Row (WS):** Purl all sts.
**Next Row (RS):** 
*Side 1:* Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 
*Side 2:* k1, ssk, knit to end.
Repeat the decrease row every RS row 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) more times. [14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts remain for each shoulder].

Continue even until front matches Back length to shoulder. BO all sts.

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### FINISHING
1. **Shoulder Seams:** Block pieces to measurements. Join shoulder seams using mattress stitch.
2. **Neck Band:** With RS facing and smaller circular needles, starting at the right shoulder seam, pick up and knit 18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) sts down the left front neck, knit across the 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42) sts from the back holder, then pick up and knit 18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) sts up the right front neck. [Total: 68 to 98 sts approx].
Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1" (2.5 cm). BO loosely in rib.
3. **Armhole Edging:** With RS facing and smaller needles, pick up and knit 74 (80, 86, 92, 98, 104) sts evenly around the armhole opening. Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1" (2.5 cm). BO loosely. Repeat for the second armhole.
4. **Side Seams:** Sew side seams from the top of the hem ribbing to the armhole ribbing using mattress stitch.
5. **Final Flourish:** Weave in all ends and steam block lightly.

**Math Validation Check:**
*Size M: CO 94. Armhole BO 5x2=10 (84 left). Armhole dec 2x6=12 (72 left). Shoulders 18x2=36 + Neck 36 = 72. Total matches.*