Easy Crewneck Vest with Side Slits

A simple women’s layering vest worked flat in pieces from the bottom up. Features a classic crewneck, generously deep armholes, ribbed hems and edgings, and short side-slit openings at the lower body for ease and modern style. Perfect first garment project.

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) To fit bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" / 81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132) cm Shown in size S.

Finished Measurements

Bust: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56)" / 91.5 (101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142) cm Length from shoulder: 23.5 (24, 24.5, 25.5, 26, 26.5)" / 59.5 (61, 62, 65, 66, 67.5) cm Armhole depth (larger): 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11)" / 21.5 (23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28) cm Side slit height: 4" / 10 cm Cross-back width: 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)" / 35.5 (38, 40.5, 43, 45.5, 48.5) cm

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn (CYC #4) Approximately 750 (850, 950, 1100, 1250, 1400) yd / 685 (775, 870, 1005, 1145, 1280) m Sample uses a smooth wool or wool-blend worsted.

Needles

US 7 / 4.5 mm straight or circular needles for ribbing US 8 / 5 mm straight or circular needles for body (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Notions

Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle, scissors

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked. Take time to check gauge.

Abbreviations (US)

BO = bind off CO = cast on dec = decrease k = knit k2tog = knit 2 together p = purl p2tog = purl 2 together pm = place marker rem = remain(ing) rep = repeat RS = right side ssk = slip, slip, knit st(s) = stitch(es) St st = stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS) WS = wrong side [ ] = work instructions in brackets as directed

Notes

• Vest is worked flat in two pieces (Back and Front) from the bottom up.
• Larger armholes are shaped with extra depth for comfortable layering.
• Short openings at the end of the body are formed by leaving 4" side slits unseamed.
• Ribbing is 1×1 (k1, p1).
• When picking up stitches, pick up approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows along vertical edges and 1 st per bound-off st.
• All measurements are taken with piece laid flat after light blocking of individual pieces if desired; final block after seaming.

Pattern Instructions

Back

With smaller needles, CO 90 (100, 110, 120, 130, 140) sts. Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Row 2 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Rep Rows 1–2 until ribbing measures 2" / 5 cm from CO edge, ending after a WS row.

Change to larger needles. Work in St st (k on RS, p on WS) until piece measures 15" / 38 cm from CO edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape armholes (larger) BO 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 80 (90, 98, 108, 116, 126) sts. Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec. Next row (WS): Purl. Rep last 2 rows 4 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) more times. 70 (78, 84, 92, 100, 108) sts. (5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9) total decs each side ✓)

Work even in St st until armhole measures 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11)" / 21.5 (23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28) cm, ending after a WS row.

Shape shoulders BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 56 (62, 66, 72, 78, 84) sts. BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 42 (46, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts. BO rem 42 (46, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts for back neck. Fasten off.

Front

Work exactly as for Back until armhole measures 5.5 (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8)" / 14 (15, 16.5, 18, 19, 20.5) cm, ending after a WS row. (Armhole depth remaining for neck = 3" / 7.5 cm ✓)

Shape crewneck and shoulders Note: Neck and shoulder shaping occur at the same time; read ahead. Mark center 16 (18, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts. Next row (RS): K to marked center sts, join second ball of yarn and BO center 16 (18, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts, k to end. Working both sides at once with separate balls, purl next WS row.

Dec row (RS): On left neck edge (as worn) k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on right neck edge k1, ssk, k to end. 1 st dec each neck edge. Next row (WS): Purl both sides. Rep last 2 rows 5 (5, 6, 6, 6, 6) more times. 21 (24, 26, 29, 32, 35) sts rem each side after neck decs. (6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7) total neck decs each side ✓)

At the same time, when armhole measures 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11)" / 21.5 (23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28) cm (same as Back), shape shoulders as for Back: BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts at each armhole edge once, then BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts at each armhole edge once. After all shoulder and neck shaping, 0 sts rem each side. (Shoulder totals match Back: 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts each shoulder ✓)

Finishing

Block pieces gently to measurements. Join shoulder seams using mattress stitch or backstitch.

Side seams with short openings Sew side seams from underarm down, leaving the bottom 4" / 10 cm open on each side for slits. (Short openings at end of body completed ✓)

Neckband With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at left shoulder seam, pick up and knit 42 (46, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts across back neck, 18 (18, 20, 20, 22, 22) sts down left front neck, 16 (18, 18, 20, 22, 24) sts across front neck BO, and 18 (18, 20, 20, 22, 22) sts up right front neck. 94 (100, 106, 112, 122, 128) sts. Pm for beg of rnd if using circular needle (or work back and forth and seam later). Work 1×1 rib (k1, p1) for 1" / 2.5 cm. BO loosely in rib.

Armhole bands (make 2) With smaller needles and RS facing, beginning at underarm, pick up and knit 86 (90, 96, 102, 108, 114) sts evenly around armhole. (Approx 5 sts per inch ✓) Work 1×1 rib for 1" / 2.5 cm. BO loosely in rib. Rep for second armhole.

Weave in all ends. Block finished vest lightly to measurements, opening the side slits fully.

Abbreviations Quick Reference

k, p, k2tog, ssk, BO, CO, St st, RS, WS, pm, rem, rep, dec, st(s)

Enjoy your easy crewneck vest!