purlJam

# The Chunky Weekend Slipover
**A Basic Vest Pattern**

## Description
A classic, versatile layering piece worked flat in pieces from the bottom up. This slipover features a relaxed fit, deep armholes for wearing over shirts, and chunky ribbed edging. The back and front are worked separately in stocking stitch, then joined at the shoulders and sides.

**Skill Level:** Intermediate
**Sizes:** XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
**To Fit Chest:** 81 (91, 102, 112, 122, 132) cm
**Finished Chest Circumference (approx 10cm positive ease):** 92 (102, 112, 122, 132, 142) cm

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Bulky/Chunky weight yarn (approx. 100-110m per 100g ball).
    *   Estimated quantity: 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 7) balls of 100g.
    *   *Fibre Recommendation:* Wool or wool blend for structure and warmth.
*   **Needles:**
    *   6.0 mm (UK 4 / US 10) straight needles (for ribbing).
    *   6.5 mm (UK 3 / US 10.5) straight needles (for main body).
    *   6.0 mm circular needle, 40cm length (for neckband).
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch holders, stitch markers.

## Tension (Gauge)
14 stitches and 19 rows to 10 cm measured over Stocking Stitch using 6.5 mm needles.
*It is essential to check your tension to ensure the garment fits correctly.*

## Abbreviations (UK Terminology)
*   **beg:** beginning
*   **cm:** centimetres
*   **dec:** decrease
*   **k:** knit
*   **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together (decrease 1 st - right slanting)
*   **p:** purl
*   **rem:** remaining
*   **rep:** repeat
*   **RS:** right side
*   **skpo:** slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (decrease 1 st - left slanting)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **st st:** stocking stitch (one row knit, one row purl)
*   **WS:** wrong side

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## Instructions

### Back
**Hem**
Using 6.0 mm straight needles, cast on 66 (72, 80, 86, 94, 100) sts.
**Row 1 (RS):** *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
**Row 2 (WS):** *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
Continue in 1x1 rib until piece measures 6 cm (or desired hem length), ending with a WS row.

**Main Body**
Change to 6.5 mm needles.
Beg with a knit row, work in st st (knit RS, purl WS) until piece measures 34 (35, 36, 37, 38, 39) cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Armholes**
**Next 2 rows:** Cast off 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
`[Math Check: XS=58, S=62, M=68, L=72, XL=78, 2XL=82 sts rem]`

**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, skpo, k1. (2 sts dec)
**Next Row (WS):** Purl to end.
Repeat the last 2 rows 2 (2, 4, 4, 6, 6) more times.
`[Math Check: Total dec rows = 3 (3, 5, 5, 7, 7). St count: XS=52, S=56, M=58, L=62, XL=64, 2XL=68 sts rem]`

Continue straight in st st without shaping until armhole measures 21 (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) cm straight down, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Shoulders**
Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at beg of next 4 rows.
`[Math Check: XS=36, S=36, M=38, L=38, XL=40, 2XL=40 sts rem]`
Cast off 5 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
`[Math Check: XS=26, S=26, M=28, L=28, XL=28, 2XL=28 sts rem]`
Leave remaining 26 (26, 28, 28, 28, 28) sts on a holder for back neck.

### Front
Work as for Back until armhole shaping is complete.
`[Stitch Count: XS=52, S=56, M=58, L=62, XL=64, 2XL=68 sts]`

Continue straight in st st until armhole measures 14 (15, 15, 16, 17, 18) cm, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Left Neck**
**Next Row (RS):** K19 (21, 21, 23, 24, 26), turn. Leave rem sts on a spare needle or holder.
**Next Row (WS):** Purl to end.
**Next Row (RS):** Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (1 st dec)
**Next Row (WS):** Purl to end.
Rep last 2 rows 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3) more times.
`[Math Check: 19 (21, 21, 23, 24, 26) - 4 dec = 15 (17, 17, 19, 20, 22) sts rem]`

Continue straight until Front matches Back to start of shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Left Shoulder**
**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts, k to end.
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.
**Next Row (RS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts, k to end.
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.
**Next Row (RS):** Cast off rem 5 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts.

**Shape Right Neck**
With RS facing, slip centre 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 16) sts onto a holder. Rejoin yarn to remaining sts.
**Next Row (RS):** K to end.
**Next Row (WS):** P to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl (or purl 2 together), p1. (1 st dec)
**Next Row (RS):** K to end.
Rep last 2 rows 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3) more times.
`[Math Check: 19 (21, 21, 23, 24, 26) - 4 dec = 15 (17, 17, 19, 20, 22) sts rem]`

Continue straight until Front matches Back to start of shoulder shaping, ending with a RS row.

**Shape Right Shoulder**
**Next Row (WS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts, p to end.
**Next Row (RS):** Knit.
**Next Row (WS):** Cast off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts, p to end.
**Next Row (RS):** Knit.
**Next Row (WS):** Cast off rem 5 (5, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts.

### Finishing
Join right shoulder seam using mattress stitch or backstitch.

**Neckband**
With RS facing and 6.0 mm circular needle (or straight needles if you prefer to seam the neck):
1.  Pick up and knit 14 (15, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts down left front neck.
2.  Knit across 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 16) sts from front holder.
3.  Pick up and knit 14 (15, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts up right front neck.
4.  Knit across 26 (26, 28, 28, 28, 28) sts from back holder.
`[Total approx: 68-80 sts. Ensure count is even.]`

Work in 1x1 rib for 3 cm. Cast off loosely in rib.
Join left shoulder seam and neckband seam.

**Armhole Edging**
With RS facing and 6.0 mm needles, pick up and knit stitches evenly around the armhole.
*Technical Tip:* Pick up approx 3 sts for every 4 rows along the straight edges, and 1 st for every cast-off stitch at the underarm. Aim for approximately 64-76 sts total.
Work in 1x1 rib for 2.5 cm. Cast off loosely in rib. Repeat for second armhole.

**Assembly**
Join side seams using mattress stitch, leaving the ribbing at the hem split if desired (seam from top of ribbing to underarm), or seam entirely for a classic finish. Weave in all ends. Block gently to measurements, being careful not to over-stretch the ribbing.