purlJam

# SEAMLESS BOTTOM-UP VEST

A classic beginner-friendly vest worked in the round from the bottom up. Features a comfortable crew neck, simple stockinette stitch body with ribbed edging at hem, armholes, and neckline. Perfect as a versatile layering piece.

## SIZES
One size: Adult Medium/Large
(See Finished Measurements section)

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- **Chest circumference**: 36" (91.5 cm)
- **Body length**: 23.5" (59.5 cm) from cast-on edge to shoulder
- **Armhole depth**: 9.5" (24 cm)

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (#4 Medium) yarn
- Approximately 600-700 yards (550-640 m)
- Sample shown in Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yards/100g)

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 24" or 32" circular needle for body
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needle for neckline (or use longer needle with magic loop)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles or additional circular for armholes
- Or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers (3 recommended)
- Tapestry needle
- Scrap yarn or stitch holders

## GAUGE
20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round, blocked
[GAUGE CHECK: 20 sts ÷ 4" = 5 sts/inch ✓]

**Take time to check your gauge!** Proper gauge is essential for correct fit.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- BO: bind off

## PATTERN NOTES

- This vest is worked in the round from the bottom up to the armholes, then divided and worked flat for the front and back.
- Stitch markers help track the beginning of rounds and the divisions between front and back.
- The sample uses a 2x2 rib for all edging, which is stretchy and comfortable.
- When working in the round, stockinette stitch is created by knitting every round.

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY

**Cast On and Ribbing**

Using longer circular needle, cast on 180 stitches. [CHECK: 180 ÷ 4 = 45, evenly divisible for 2x2 rib ✓]

Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. The marker indicates the beginning of the round and the left side "seam."

**Setup Round**: K90, pm (this marks right side "seam" and division between front and back), k90 to end of round. 
[CHECK: 90 + 90 = 180 sts ✓]

**Ribbing Round**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Ribbing Round for 2.5" (6.5 cm) total, approximately 18 rounds.

**Body**

**Knit every round** (stockinette stitch) until piece measures 14" (35.5 cm) from cast-on edge, or desired length to armhole.

### DIVIDE FOR FRONT AND BACK

**Next Round**: Remove beginning-of-round marker. K4, bind off next 8 stitches (removing side marker when you reach it), k until 4 stitches remain before next marker, bind off next 8 stitches (removing marker), knit to end.
[CHECK: 90 - 8 = 82 sts for back; 90 - 8 = 82 sts for front ✓]

You will now have two separate sections:
- **Back**: 82 stitches
- **Front**: 82 stitches

Place front stitches on scrap yarn or stitch holder. You will work the back first.

### BACK

Working back and forth in rows on the 82 back stitches:

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl.
**Row 2 (RS)**: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1-2 (stockinette stitch worked flat) until armhole measures 8.5" (21.5 cm) from bind-off, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Back Neck**

**Next Row (RS)**: K27, bind off center 28 stitches, k27.
[CHECK: 27 + 28 + 27 = 82 sts ✓]

You now have two shoulders with 27 stitches each. Place the stitches for one shoulder on a holder and work the other shoulder first.

**Left Shoulder**:
Working on the first 27 stitches only:

**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.
**Next Row (RS)**: Ssk, knit to end. (26 sts remain)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.

Place remaining 26 stitches on holder for shoulder.

**Right Shoulder**:
Return to the 27 stitches for the right shoulder, ready to work a WS row.

**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.
**Next Row (RS)**: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (26 sts remain)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.

Place remaining 26 stitches on holder for shoulder.

Back armhole depth is approximately 9.5" (24 cm).

### FRONT

Return to the 82 front stitches. Attach yarn, ready to work a WS row.

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl.
**Row 2 (RS)**: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until armhole measures 6" (15 cm) from bind-off, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Front Neck**

**Next Row (RS)**: K32, bind off center 18 stitches, k32.
[CHECK: 32 + 18 + 32 = 82 sts ✓]

You now have two sides with 32 stitches each.

**Left Front Neck**:
Working on the first 32 stitches only:

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl.
**Row 2 (RS)**: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (31 sts)
**Row 3**: Purl.
**Row 4**: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (30 sts)
**Row 5**: Purl.
**Row 6**: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (29 sts)
**Row 7**: Purl.
**Row 8**: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (28 sts)
**Row 9**: Purl.
**Row 10**: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (27 sts)
**Row 11**: Purl.
**Row 12**: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (26 sts)
[CHECK: 32 - 6 decreases = 26 sts ✓]

**Row 13**: Purl.
**Row 14**: Knit.

Repeat Rows 13-14 until armhole measures same as back (approximately 9.5"/24 cm), ending with a WS row.

Place 26 stitches on holder for shoulder.

**Right Front Neck**:
Return to the 32 stitches for right front neck, ready to work a WS row.

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl.
**Row 2 (RS)**: Ssk, knit to end. (31 sts)
**Row 3**: Purl.
**Row 4**: Ssk, knit to end. (30 sts)
**Row 5**: Purl.
**Row 6**: Ssk, knit to end. (29 sts)
**Row 7**: Purl.
**Row 8**: Ssk, knit to end. (28 sts)
**Row 9**: Purl.
**Row 10**: Ssk, knit to end. (27 sts)
**Row 11**: Purl.
**Row 12**: Ssk, knit to end. (26 sts)
[CHECK: 32 - 6 decreases = 26 sts ✓]

**Row 13**: Purl.
**Row 14**: Knit.

Repeat Rows 13-14 until armhole measures same as back (approximately 9.5"/24 cm), ending with a WS row.

Place 26 stitches on holder for shoulder.

### JOIN SHOULDERS

Using three-needle bind-off or your preferred seaming method, join the front and back at each shoulder. Match the 26 held stitches from front left shoulder with 26 held stitches from back left shoulder; repeat for right shoulder.
[CHECK: 26 = 26 sts for each shoulder ✓]

### ARMHOLE EDGING

With RS facing and using DPNs or shorter circular needle, beginning at center of underarm bind-off:

Pick up and knit 4 stitches along underarm bind-off, pick up and knit approximately 68 stitches evenly around armhole edge to other side of underarm, pick up and knit remaining 4 stitches along underarm bind-off. (approximately 76 stitches total)
[NOTE: Adjust to a multiple of 4 for 2x2 rib. Use 76 or 80 sts as needed for even ribbing.]

If you have 76 sts: Adjust to 76 sts (already a multiple of 4 ✓)
If you have a different number, adjust to the nearest multiple of 4 by picking up slightly more or fewer stitches along the armhole edges.

Place marker and join to work in the round.

**Ribbing Round**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Ribbing Round for 1" (2.5 cm), approximately 7 rounds.

Bind off in pattern.

Repeat for second armhole.

### NECKLINE EDGING

With RS facing and using 16" circular needle (or longer needle with magic loop), beginning at left shoulder seam:

Pick up and knit approximately 15 stitches down left front neck edge, 18 stitches across front neck bind-off, 15 stitches up right front neck edge, 2 stitches down right back neck edge, 28 stitches across back neck bind-off, and 2 stitches up left back neck edge. (80 stitches total)
[CHECK: 15 + 18 + 15 + 2 + 28 + 2 = 80 sts, divisible by 4 ✓]

Place marker and join to work in the round.

**Ribbing Round**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Ribbing Round for 1" (2.5 cm), approximately 7 rounds.

Bind off in pattern.

### FINISHING

Weave in all ends. Block to finished measurements.

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## CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS

**Length**: Adjust body length before dividing for armholes. Add or subtract rows as desired.

**Neckline**: For a deeper V-neck, begin front neck shaping earlier and bind off fewer center stitches.

**Pockets**: Add patch pockets by working separate rectangular pieces and seaming to front.

**Stripes**: Work in stockinette with color changes every few rounds or rows for a striped effect.

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Enjoy your handknit vest!