Joelle’s Favorite Vest
About every six months or so at our weekly Purl Bee meetings Joelle mentions a vest that she knit years ago, “Let’s design a version of this!”. This favorite vest of Joelle’s comes from the wonderful pattern company, Mac and Me. They call it the Ribbed Sweater Vest and used Blue Sky’s Sportweight Alpaca for a toasty warm and beautifully drapey look. All we needed was a reason to make any changes to this already great garment.
At a recent meeting when Joelle made her biannual appeal, we realized that we finally had the perfect inspiration for developing our own ribbed sweater vest, the brand new Tosh Merino Light from Madeline Tosh! A very fine, beautifully hand dyed merino, we knew that a ribbed vest in Tosh Merino Light would be really special indeed. It would be feather light for spring, and the hand dyed color would provide a gorgeous shimmer throughout the vest. We also changed the proportions so you can wear Joelle’s Favorite Vest short with a dramatic collar or turn it upside down for a longer hemline and smaller collar (as pictured in our photos). Either way, you’ll probably end up like Joelle, with a favorite vest!
UPDATE: NOW IN GOOD WOOL
JANUARY 2024
With the heathered color and buoyant beauty of Good Wool, our Easy Breezy Vest is both stunning and cozy… And an easy breezy knit, as well! One hundred percent Andean highland wool, Good Wool’s lofty spin means it’s light and airy, but it’s also wonderfully warm, making this vest the perfect piece to take you through the seasons. Click here to get this PDF pattern for free, then pick your favorite color of Good Wool and breeze right through this beautiful knit!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoJoellesFavoriteVest. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 3 (4) skeins of Madeline’s Tosh’s Tosh Merino Light. Approximately 1,260 (1,680) yards required. This color is “Silver Fox”.
- A US 2 (3 mm), 24 or 32-inch circular needle
- 4 small stitch holders (or 2 small and 1 large)
Gauge
67 stitches = 4 inches in 3 x 3 rib, unblocked and unstretched
38 stitches = 4 inches in 3 x 3 rib, blocked and stretched
Sizes
NOTE: These measurements are taken from blocked garments that were fully stretched and, because of the nature of ribbing, are somewhat approximate. If you want to finesse smaller or in between sizes you can block your finished vest more gently.
Small/Medium (Medium/Large)
- Finished Length from Top to Bottom: 36 (42) inches across, 29 (29) inches
- Finished Width of Fronts: 6¼ (7¾) inches
- Finished Width of Back: 13 (14¾) inches across
- Length of Armholes: 8 inches
Fit
- The length measurements are the same for both sizes, and you have a choice of how to wear the vest: either 9½ inches from hem to underarm with an 11½ inch collar; or upside down with 11½ inches from hem to underarm and a 9 1/2 inch collar.
Pattern
Begin
Cast on 303 (357) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (right side): *K3, p3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 2 (wrong side): *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 9½ inches from the cast on edge, ending with a wrong side row.
Next Row (right side): [K3, p3] 13 (16) times, bind off 9 stitches (in rib pattern), p2, [k3, p3] 21 (24) times, bind off 9 stitches, p2, [k3, p3] 12 (15) times, k3.
There are now 78 (96) stitches for the Left Front (as if you were wearing the vest), 129 (147) stitches for the Back and 78 (96) stitches for the Right Front. (285 [339] stitches total)
Left Front
You will now work back and forth on just the 78 (96) stitches of the Left Front (again, “left” as if you were wearing the vest). (I left the remaining 207 [243] stitches on my needle, but if you prefer to put them on holders or scrap yarn, that’s fine too.)
Row 1 (wrong side): *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 6 stitches, p3, k1, k2tog. (77 [95] stitches)
Row 2 (right side): P2tog, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3. (76 [94] stitches)
Row 3: *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p2, p2tog. (75 [93] stitches)
Row 4: *K3, p3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 5: *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until Left Front measures 7¾ inches, ending with a right side row.
Next Row (wrong side): *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p2, knit into the front and back (kfb). (76 [94] stitches)
Next Row (right side): Kfb, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3. (77 [95] stitches)
Next Row: *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, p3, k1, kfb. (78 [96] stitches)
Cut the yarn, and put the 78 (96) Left Front stitches on a stitch holder.
Back
For the Back section you will work back and forth on just the 129 (147) stitches of the Back.
With the wrong side facing you, join new yarn.
Row 1 (wrong side): Slip, slip, knit (ssk), k1, *p3, k3, repeat from * to last 6 stitches, p3, k1, k2tog. (127 [145] stitches)
Row 2 (right side): P2tog, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, k3, p2tog. (125 [143] stitches)
Row 3: P2tog, p2, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 7 stitches, k3, p2, p2tog. (123 [141] stitches)
Row 4: *K3, p3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 5: *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until Back measures 7¾ inches, ending with a right side row.
Next Row (wrong side): Kfb, p2, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 6 stitches, k3, p2, kfb. (125 [143] stitches)
Next Row (right side): Kfb, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k3, kfb. (127 [145] stitches)
Next Row: Kfb, k1, *p3, k3, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, p3, k1, kfb. (129 [147] stitches)
Cut the yarn, and place the 129 (147) Back stitches on stitch holders.
Right Front
Now you will work back and forth on just the 78 (96) stitches of the Right Front.
With the wrong side facing you, join new yarn.
Row 1 (wrong side): Ssk, k1, *p3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3. (77 [95] stitches)
Row 2 (right side): *K3, p3, prepeat from * to last 5 stitches, k3, p2tog. (76 [94] stitches)
Row 3: P2tog, p2, *k3, p3 repeat from * to end. (75 [93] stitches)
Row 4: *K3, p3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 5: *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until Right Front measures 7¾ inches, ending with a right side row.
Next Row (wrong side): Kfb, p2, *k3, p3, repeat from * to end. (76 [94] stitches)
Next Row (right side): *K3, p3, repeat from * to last 4 stitchs, k3, kfb. (78 [95] stitches)
Next Row: Kfb, k1, *p3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3. (79 [96] stitches)
Rejoin
Continuing on the right side of the Right Front…
Row 1 (right side): *K3, p3, repeat from * to end of Right Front, turn work so wrong side is facing you, use a cable cast on to cast on 9 stitches, turn work so right side is facing you.
Now working across the Back, *p3, k3, repeat from * to end of Back, turn work, cable cast on 9 stitches, turn work.
Now working across the Left Front, *p3, k3, repeat from * to end of row. (303 [357] stitches)
Finish
Row 1 (wrong side): *P3, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Row 2 (right side): *K3, p3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 11½ inches from the top of the armholes.
Bind off in pattern (knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches).
Weave in the ends.
To block your vest, simply soak it in mild detergent (I love Soak wool wash because you don’t have to rinse it!) and squeeze it dry (don’t wring it – I always roll my garments in a towel and sqeeze the towel). Then lay the vest out on a dry towel and stretch the ribs out to the size you want your vest. It will dry that way – I promise!
All that’s left is to enjoy your new vest!
How I wish I had seen this Friday when I was in your shop form out of town! This is lovely and must be on my needles soon.
Hi, I was swatching for this today, is the 16 3/4 st per inch correct or should it be 6 3/4 per inch? Thanks, lovely pattern, great for layering this time of year!
this is lovely! I would like to add it to my ravelry queue, but it doesn't seem to be listed there.
Hi Amy,
The gauge is actually 16 3/4 stitches to the inch, but that measurement is taken while the ribbing is completely relaxed and unstretched. If you stretch the ribbing out your gauge will be more like 8 1/2 stitches to the inch. Gauge measurements in ribbing are always a bit tricky. It's probably easier to think about getting 7 stitches to the inch in stockinette…
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
this is gorgeous! i learned to knit the beginning of the year and have made a couple of hats, a scarf, leg warmers and socks but have been wanting to try making a sweater. this seems like an easy place to start – thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Hello, I have just cast on the 303 stitches, and knit the first row. However, I am confused as to why I am knitting 3 stitches at the end of the row? When I turn the work to the wrong side to start the 2nd row, I am only purling 3 stiches, throwing off the ribbing?
I could be competely missing something here, I just thought I would have someone clarify.
Thank you!
I'm sorry, I figured it out! Long day!
I love this vest, but would it be possible to make it with bigger needles and chunky yarn?
Hi Cathy-
We don’t have this pattern in a different gauge but you could certainly experiment with this shape and larger needles! Thanks for your question!
Molly
I saw sample of this vest in your shop in April. I purchased line weight to make it and I think that’s what the sample used. Do I double the yarn? I can’t remember what the gal said at the time.
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for writing in! We originally knit this vest in MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light. This was the sample that you saw when you visited us. However, our Line Weight knit up at the same gauge and is a frequent substitution! You will knit with it held as a single strand. It should come out fantastically!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
The description says this vest is “toasty”. How warm is it? It looks like with the drape of the collar it has a capped sleeve look and I’m looking for something like this for spring/summer/fall. Thanks!
Hello Katrina,
Thais is a great question! This is knit up with Tosh Merino Light which is 100% Merino giving it warmth, though the yarn is very thin which I think makes it a bit more versatile warmth wise. I would say knit up it a wool it is great for spring and fall, and even some cool summer evenings!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi Marilla,
Thanks for your help. I will need to double check and see what size Tosh I bought and if I bought 2 or 3 skeins.
Do you have any “dry heat” summer suggestions to make it cooler/breathable? Thank you again.
Cordially,
Katrina
Hello Katrina,
My pleasure – I think this Vest would be gorgeous in Cattail Silk for a cooler option!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hello.
I’m in love with this vest, but can it be made bigger?
I think I have about 7 hanks of Madelinetosh in my house.
Thank you.
Concetta
Hi Concetta,
Thanks for writing in! You can absolutely make this vest larger by casting on more stitches at the beginning. The stitch pattern works over a multiple of 3 stitches, so you’ll want to make sure to cast on a multiple of 3. Then, you’ll just need to make sure you place the armholes so that they’re symmetrical, since the stitch count will be slightly different with a different stitch count. Hope this helps you get started with this modification!
All the best,
Lili