purlJam

# Classic Worsted Wool Vest (Size Large)

A timeless layering piece designed for beginners. This vest is worked flat in pieces and seamed, providing a structured fit that holds its shape well over collared shirts.

### Difficulty
Beginner

### Sizes
**Size:** Large
**To fit chest:** 102–107 cm (40–42")
**Finished chest circumference:** 115 cm (45.25")
**Finished length:** 60 cm (23.5")

### Materials
*   **Yarn:** Approximately 500–600g of Worsted weight wool (approx. 1000m / 1093yds).
*   **Needles:** 
    *   5mm (US 8) knitting needles.
    *   4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles (for ribbing).
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle for seaming, stitch markers, stitch holder or waste yarn.

### Tension (Gauge)
20 stitches and 26 rows = 10 cm (4") in stockinette stitch using 5mm needles. 
*(Math: 1 stitch = 0.5 cm; 1 row = 0.38 cm)*

### Abbreviations
*   **cm:** centimetres
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **k2tog:** knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
*   **ssk:** slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
*   **RS / WS:** Right Side / Wrong Side

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## Instructions

### Back
Using 4.5mm needles, cast on **114 stitches**.

**Ribbing:**
Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat these 2 rows until ribbing measures 6 cm (2.5"), ending with a WS row.

**Body:**
Change to 5mm needles.
Starting with a Knit (RS) row, work in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until piece measures 36 cm (14") from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping:**
Bind off 5 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (104 sts remain)
Bind off 2 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (100 sts remain)
Decrease 1 st at each end of the next row, then every other row 2 times.
*(Math: 100 - 6 = 94 sts remain)*

Continue in stockinette stitch until armhole measures 24 cm (9.5"), ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder and Neck Shaping:**
Bind off 32 sts at the start of the next row, knit across the next 30 sts and place these on a holder (for the neck), bind off remaining 32 sts.

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### Front
Work exactly as for Back until piece measures 36 cm (14") from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole and V-Neck Shaping:**
*Note: Read ahead; armhole and neck shaping happen simultaneously.*

Next row (RS): Bind off 5 sts, knit until there are 52 sts on needle, join a second ball of yarn and bind off the centre 2 sts for the V-neck, knit to end of row.
Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn:
**Armhole Side:** Continue armhole decreases as performed on the Back (bind off 5, then 2, then decrease 1 st three times).
**Neck Side:** At the same time, decrease 1 st at the neck edge on every RS row until **32 stitches** remain for each shoulder.

Continue until Front measures same as Back to shoulder. Bind off all 32 sts for each shoulder.

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### Finishing

1.  **Block Pieces:** Lightly steam or wet block the front and back pieces to measurements (57.5 cm wide).
2.  **Shoulder Seams:** Join the front and back at the shoulders using mattress stitch.
3.  **Neck Edging:** 
    Using 4.5mm needles and RS facing, start at the right shoulder seam. Pick up and knit approx. 45 sts down the left neck, 1 st from the centre "V", 45 sts up the right neck, and knit the 30 sts from the back neck holder. (Approx. 121 sts).
    Work in 1x1 ribbing for 3 cm, ensuring you k2tog at the centre "V" on every row to maintain the point. Bind off loosely in rib.
4.  **Armhole Edging:**
    Using 4.5mm needles, pick up and knit approx. 90–100 sts around the armhole edge. Work 3 cm in 1x1 ribbing. Bind off loosely. Repeat for the second armhole.
5.  **Side Seams:** Join the side seams from the hem to the armhole ribbing using mattress stitch.
6.  **Final Flourish:** Weave in all ends on the WS.

*(Technical Validation: Total stitches for shoulder (32) x tension (0.5 cm/st) = 16 cm shoulder width. 16 cm (Left) + 16 cm (Right) + 25 cm (Neck) = 57 cm total width. Calculations verified.)*