purlJam

# Easy Loose-Fit Short-Sleeve Vest

A relaxed, pullover-style vest with a crew neckline and neat ribbed short sleeves. Worked flat in simple stockinette stitch with 2x2 ribbed edgings — a perfect confidence-building layering piece. No buttons, no fuss.

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## Sizes

| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|------|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| To fit chest (cm) | 81 | 91 | 102 | 112 | 122 | 132 |
| To fit chest (in) | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | 52 |
| Finished chest (cm) | 96 | 107 | 117 | 127 | 137 | 147 |
| Finished chest (in) | 38 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 58 |

*Includes approx. 15 cm (6 in) positive ease for a loose fit.*

Sample shown in size **M**. Figures for other sizes follow in brackets: XS [S, M, L, XL, 2XL].

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted-weight (Aran/10-ply) wool or wool blend
  - Approx. 700 [800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1250] m
  - (Approx. 350 [400, 450, 500, 550, 625] g)
- **Needles:**
  - 4.5 mm straight or circular needles (main fabric)
  - 4.0 mm needles (ribbed edgings)
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn.

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## Tension (Gauge)

**20 sts and 28 rows = 10 cm (4 in)** measured over stocking stitch (st st) on 4.5 mm needles, after blocking.

*Take time to check your tension — it determines the finished fit.*

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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 together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **BO** – bind/cast off
- **rep** – repeat
- **beg** – beginning

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## Pattern Notes

- The vest is worked flat in two pieces (back and front) from the hem up.
- Shoulders are seamed, then side seams joined.
- Neckline edging and short ribbed sleeves are picked up and worked last.
- **Stitch counts given for size M.** Adjust per your chosen size column.

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## BACK

### Ribbed Hem
With **4.0 mm** needles, cast on **116** [128, 116, 128, 136, 148] sts.

*Note: for sizes XS/M/XL a (k2, p2) rib begins and ends with k2; for S/L/2XL it balances automatically. Work whichever rib gives a tidy symmetrical edge for your stitch count.*

Work in **k2, p2 rib** for 6 cm (2½ in), ending with a WS row.

Change to **4.5 mm** needles.

### Body
Work in **st st**, beginning with a k (RS) row, until piece measures **35 cm (13¾ in)** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

✅ *Check: 35 cm × 28 rows ÷ 10 = 98 rows of body (approx.).*

### Shape Armholes
**BO 6 sts** at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
→ 116 − 12 = **104** sts remaining (M).

Then decrease as follows:
- **Row 1 (RS):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(2 sts decreased)*
- **Row 2 (WS):** purl.
Rep these 2 rows **4** times in total.
→ 104 − 8 = **96** sts remaining (M).

✅ *Check: 96 sts ÷ 20 × 10 = 48 cm across upper back — correct for loose fit.*

Continue straight in st st until armhole measures **23 cm (9 in)**, ending with a WS row.

### Shape Shoulders & Back Neck
**BO 36** sts (left shoulder), BO centre **24** sts for back neck, BO remaining **36** sts (right shoulder).

✅ *Check: 36 + 24 + 36 = 96 sts. ✓*

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## FRONT

Work exactly as for Back **up to and including armhole shaping** → **96** sts (M), then continue straight until armhole measures **15 cm (6 in)**, ending with a WS row.

### Shape Front Neck
With RS facing:
- k **36** sts, then place the centre **24** sts on a holder, join a second ball of yarn and k remaining **36** sts.

Working both sides at once with separate yarn:
- **Neck decrease row (RS):** On the first side, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On the second side, k1, ssk, k to end.
- Purl the WS rows plain.

Rep the neck decrease row every RS row **0 times** more after dividing — *the centre BO already shapes a crew neck*. Work straight until armhole measures **23 cm (9 in)**, matching the back.

→ Each shoulder = **36** sts. ✓

### Shape Shoulders
BO **36** sts each shoulder on the next RS row.

✅ *Check: 36 + 36 + 24 (held) = 96 sts. ✓ Matches back.*

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## OPTIONAL PATCH POCKET

Cast on **24** sts with 4.5 mm needles. Work 14 cm (5½ in) in st st, then 2.5 cm (1 in) in k2, p2 rib. BO in rib. Sew to front before seaming, positioned about 8 cm (3 in) above the hem.

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## FINISHING

1. Block both pieces to measurements.
2. Join **shoulder seams** using mattress stitch.

### Neckline Edging
With **4.0 mm** needles and RS facing, beginning at right shoulder seam:
- Pick up and knit approx. **24** held front sts, **20** sts down left front neck, **24** held back sts, and **20** sts up right front neck.
→ Approx. **88** sts total (a multiple of 4 — adjust by 1–2 sts if needed for k2, p2 rib).

Join to work in the round. Work **k2, p2 rib** for 2.5 cm (1 in). BO loosely in rib.

3. Join **side seams** using mattress stitch, leaving the armhole open.

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## SHORT RIBBED SLEEVES

With **4.0 mm** needles and RS facing, beginning at underarm seam:
- Pick up and knit approx. **88** [96, 100, 104, 108, 112] sts evenly around the armhole edge.

✅ *Tip: pick up roughly 3 sts for every 4 rows along the straight edges to avoid flaring.*

Ensure total is a multiple of 4 (adjust 1–2 sts as needed).

Join to work in the round. Work **k2, p2 rib** for **5 cm (2 in)** for a neat short cap sleeve.

BO loosely in rib.

Repeat for the second armhole.

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## Final Measurements (Size M)

| Measurement | cm | in |
|-------------|----|----|
| Finished chest | 117 | 46 |
| Total length | 58 | 23 |
| Armhole depth | 23 | 9 |
| Sleeve depth | 5 | 2 |

Weave in all ends. Give a final light steam-block. Your easy loose-fit short-sleeve vest is complete — enjoy your favourite new layering piece!