Easy Crew Neck Cable Vest

A classic worsted vest worked flat in two pieces. The back is plain stockinette; the front is stockinette with one easy 6-stitch rope cable running up the center. Ribbed hem, armhole bands, and a crew neckband finish the edges. Designed for knitters who are new to cables.

Skill Level: Easy

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

To fit bust: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50)" [76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127) cm]

Finished bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" [81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132) cm]

Finished length: 22 (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)" [56 (58.5, 61, 63.5, 66, 68.5) cm]

Choose the size with 2–4" (5–10 cm) of positive ease.

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

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn; approximately 650 (750, 850, 950, 1100, 1250) yd [595 (685, 775, 870, 1005, 1145) m]

Example: 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) skeins of a wool or wool-blend worsted (100 g / 220 yd [201 m] per skein), such as Cascade 220 or Berroco Ultra Wool.

A smooth, light-colored solid or heather shows the cable clearly.

Needles

• US 5 / 3.75 mm straight or circular needles (ribbing)
• US 7 / 4.5 mm straight or circular needles (body)
• US 5 / 3.75 mm 16" (40 cm) circular needle (neckband and armbands)

Adjust needle size to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Cable needle
• Stitch markers (2)
• Stitch holder or waste yarn
• Tapestry needle
• Extra ball of yarn or a second end for working split neck

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles, blocked.

Check: 5 sts = 1"; 7 rows = 1".

Work a 6" (15 cm) swatch, block it, and measure the center 4" (10 cm). Change needle size if needed — gauge affects both size and yarn amount.

Abbreviations (US)

Special Stitches

C6F (cable 6 front): Slip 3 sts to cn and hold to front of work, k3, k3 from cn.

Easy Rope Cable (worked over 10 sts)

• Row 1 (RS): P2, k6, p2.
• Row 2 (WS): K2, p6, k2.
• Rows 3–6: Repeat Rows 1–2 twice more.
• Row 7 (RS): P2, C6F, p2.
• Row 8 (WS): K2, p6, k2.

Repeat Rows 1–8 for pattern. The cable crosses every 8 rows.

1×1 Rib (even number of sts)

Every row: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Armhole decrease (RS): K1, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)

Neck decrease, left neck edge (RS, as worn): Work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Neck decrease, right neck edge (RS, as worn): K1, ssk, work to end.

Notes

• Vest is worked flat in two pieces and seamed.
• The first and last stitch of every row are edge stitches; they are included in the stitch counts and used for seaming.
• Keep the 10-st cable panel centered. Armhole shaping is worked at the side edges only, so the cable is not disturbed until the front neck.
• When the front neck is divided, the center stitches (including the cable) are placed on a holder and later worked into the neckband.
• Slip markers as you come to them.
• Block pieces before seaming.

BACK

With smaller needles, CO 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 130) sts.

Work 1×1 Rib until piece measures 2½" (6.5 cm) from CO, ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles.

Work in St st (knit RS, purl WS) until piece measures 14 (14½, 15, 15½, 16, 16½)" [35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5, 42) cm] from CO, ending after a WS row.

Shape Armholes

BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 72 (80, 88, 96, 104, 112) sts. (80 − 4 − 4 = 72 ✓; 90 − 5 − 5 = 80 ✓; 100 − 6 − 6 = 88 ✓; 110 − 7 − 7 = 96 ✓; 120 − 8 − 8 = 104 ✓; 130 − 9 − 9 = 112 ✓)

Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 4 (5, 6, 8, 10, 12) times. 64 (70, 76, 80, 84, 88) sts. (72 − 8 = 64 ✓; 80 − 10 = 70 ✓; 88 − 12 = 76 ✓; 96 − 16 = 80 ✓; 104 − 20 = 84 ✓; 112 − 24 = 88 ✓)

Work even in St st until armhole measures 7¼ (7½, 7¾, 8¼, 8¾, 9¼)" [18.5 (19, 19.5, 21, 22, 23.5) cm], ending after a WS row.

Shape Back Neck

Next row (RS): K 20 (22, 24, 25, 26, 27), join a second ball of yarn, BO center 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts, k to end. 20 (22, 24, 25, 26, 27) sts each side. (20 + 24 + 20 = 64 ✓; 22 + 26 + 22 = 70 ✓; 24 + 28 + 24 = 76 ✓; 25 + 30 + 25 = 80 ✓; 26 + 32 + 26 = 84 ✓; 27 + 34 + 27 = 88 ✓)

Working both sides at the same time with separate balls:

• At each neck edge, BO 2 sts once.
• Then dec 1 st at each neck edge on the next 2 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4) RS rows.

16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) sts rem each side. (20 − 2 − 2 = 16 ✓; 22 − 2 − 3 = 17 ✓; 24 − 2 − 4 = 18 ✓; 25 − 2 − 4 = 19 ✓; 26 − 2 − 4 = 20 ✓; 27 − 2 − 4 = 21 ✓)

Work even until armhole measures 8 (8½, 9, 9½, 10, 10½)" [20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5) cm], ending after a WS row.

BO rem 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) sts each side.

FRONT

With smaller needles, CO 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 130) sts.

Work 1×1 Rib until piece measures 2½" (6.5 cm) from CO, ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles.

Set-up row (RS): K 35 (40, 45, 50, 55, 60), pm, p2, k6, p2, pm, k 35 (40, 45, 50, 55, 60). (35 + 10 + 35 = 80 ✓; 40 + 10 + 40 = 90 ✓; 45 + 10 + 45 = 100 ✓; 50 + 10 + 50 = 110 ✓; 55 + 10 + 55 = 120 ✓; 60 + 10 + 60 = 130 ✓)

Next row (WS): Purl to marker, sm, k2, p6, k2, sm, purl to end.

The 10 sts between markers are the Easy Rope Cable. Row 1 of the cable has been worked. Continue as follows:

• Outside the markers: St st (knit RS, purl WS).
• Between the markers: Easy Rope Cable, beginning with Row 2, then repeating Rows 1–8.

Work as established until piece measures 14 (14½, 15, 15½, 16, 16½)" [35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5, 42) cm] from CO, ending after a WS row. Keep the cable pattern running; if you land mid-repeat at the armhole, that is fine — just continue the 8-row repeat.

Shape Armholes

Work armhole shaping exactly as for Back, keeping cable panel centered (decreases are at the side edges only).

After all armhole shaping: 64 (70, 76, 80, 84, 88) sts. Sides + cable: 27 (30, 33, 35, 37, 39) St st, 10 cable, 27 (30, 33, 35, 37, 39) St st. (27 + 10 + 27 = 64 ✓; 30 + 10 + 30 = 70 ✓; 33 + 10 + 33 = 76 ✓; 35 + 10 + 35 = 80 ✓; 37 + 10 + 37 = 84 ✓; 39 + 10 + 39 = 88 ✓)

Work even as established until armhole measures 4¾ (5, 5¼, 5½, 6, 6¼)" [12 (12.5, 13.5, 14, 15, 16) cm], ending after a WS row.

Shape Crew Neck

Next row (RS): Work 27 (29, 31, 33, 34, 36) sts in pattern, place next 10 (12, 14, 14, 16, 16) sts on holder (center front, including the cable panel), join a second ball of yarn, work rem 27 (29, 31, 33, 34, 36) sts in pattern. (27 + 10 + 27 = 64 ✓; 29 + 12 + 29 = 70 ✓; 31 + 14 + 31 = 76 ✓; 33 + 14 + 33 = 80 ✓; 34 + 16 + 34 = 84 ✓; 36 + 16 + 36 = 88 ✓)

Working both sides at the same time with separate balls, dec 1 st at each neck edge every RS row 11 (12, 13, 14, 14, 15) times. 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) sts rem each side. (27 − 11 = 16 ✓; 29 − 12 = 17 ✓; 31 − 13 = 18 ✓; 33 − 14 = 19 ✓; 34 − 14 = 20 ✓; 36 − 15 = 21 ✓)

Work even until armhole measures 8 (8½, 9, 9½, 10, 10½)" [20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5) cm], matching Back, ending after a WS row.

BO rem 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) sts each side.

FINISHING

Weave in ends that will not be used for seaming. Block pieces to schematic measurements.

Shoulder seams: With RS together (or RS facing for mattress stitch), join Front and Back shoulders. 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) sts joined each side.

Side seams: Sew side seams from hem to underarm, matching rib to rib and St st to St st.

Armhole Bands

With smaller 16" circular needle (or DPNs), RS facing, beginning at the underarm seam, pick up and knit 92 (100, 106, 114, 122, 130) sts evenly around the armhole.

Join to work in the round. Place a marker for beginning of round.

Work 1×1 Rib (*k1, p1; repeat from * to end of round) until band measures 1" (2.5 cm).

BO loosely in rib.

Repeat for the second armhole.

Crew Neckband

With smaller 16" circular needle, RS facing, beginning at the left shoulder seam:

• Pick up and knit sts down the left front neck edge,
• knit the 10 (12, 14, 14, 16, 16) held center-front sts,
• pick up and knit sts up the right front neck edge,
• pick up and knit sts across the back neck,

for a total of 72 (80, 88, 94, 98, 102) sts. Adjust by 1 or 2 sts if needed so the count is even.

Join to work in the round. Place a marker for beginning of round.

Work 1×1 Rib until neckband measures 1" (2.5 cm).

BO loosely in rib. (If the neck feels loose, BO with a slightly tighter tension; if it feels tight, go up one needle size for the bind-off only.)

Weave in remaining ends. Steam or lightly wet-block the bands so they lie flat.

Cable Chart (10-st panel)

Read RS rows (1, 3, 5, 7) from right to left; WS rows (2, 4, 6, 8) from left to right.

Row 8 (WS) |  k2   p6   k2
Row 7 (RS) |  p2  C6F   p2     ← cable cross
Row 6 (WS) |  k2   p6   k2
Row 5 (RS) |  p2   k6   p2
Row 4 (WS) |  k2   p6   k2
Row 3 (RS) |  p2   k6   p2
Row 2 (WS) |  k2   p6   k2
Row 1 (RS) |  p2   k6   p2
           -----------------
             10 stitches

C6F: slip 3 to cn, hold front, k3, k3 from cn.

Repeat Rows 1–8.

Schematic Measurements

All measurements are after blocking, before seaming.

Knitting Tips

• Place a removable marker on Row 7 of every cable repeat so you always know when to cross.
• Count: 7 plain RS rows between crosses, then a cross row — if you lose your place, look at the last cross and count 8 rows up.
• Mattress stitch makes invisible side and shoulder seams. Take one full stitch from each edge.
• Bind off the neckband and armbands loosely; a tight bind-off is the usual cause of a neck that will not go over the head.
• If your cable looks loose, try crossing it on Row 5 instead of Row 7 (every 6 rows) for a firmer rope.