Easy Breezy Vest
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!
Just a simple ribbed rectangle with two holes for your arms, it’s the kind of relaxing knitting you’d expect from an accessory or a blanket rather than a garment. What a delight to enjoy some no-fuss knitting and, upon binding off, to have a flowy, totally gorgeous vest to put on!
Wear it right-side up or upside down, long with a shorter collar or short with a bigger collar for some drama. Leave it open, or use one of our pretty Brass Stitch Holders to pin it closed. Layer it up, dress it down, this vest looks good any way you spin it!
The perfect easy breezy yarn for this pattern? Our lovely Good Wool! 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.
Good Wool comes in tons of glorious colors, including 5 undyed shades, which are also the base for an additional 33 dyed colors. The result is a palette of gorgeous heathers, each touched by the special depth and beauty of natural-colored wool. Cast on with charming Periwinkle Gray like we did, or pick your favorite hue and breeze right through this beautiful knit!
Updated by Purl Soho designer, Hiromi Glover. Click here to see even more of Hiromi’s work!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoEasyBreezyVest, and #PurlSohoGoodWool. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6, 7) skeins of Purl Soho’s Good Wool, 100% Andean highland wool. Each skein is 383 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 1045 (1215, 1370, 1575, 1735) (1890, 2045, 2250, 2370) total yards required. We used the color Periwinkle Gray.
- US 6 (4 mm), 24 or 32-inch circular needles
- Stitch holders or scrap yarn
GAUGE
36 stitches and 29 rows = 4 inches in 3×3 ribbing stitch (blocked and unstretched)
SIZES
25½ (28½, 31¾, 35½, 38½) (41¾, 44, 47¾, 50½)
To fit actual chest circumference of approximately 32-34 (36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50) (52-54, 56-58, 60-62, 64-66) inches
- Finished Length from Top to Bottom: 29 (29¾, 30, 31¼, 31½) (31½, 32½, 32¾, 32¾) inches
- Finished Width from Side to Side (measured flat): 25½ (28½, 31¾, 35½, 38½) (41¾, 44, 47¾, 50½) inches
- Finished Width of Fronts: 7 (8¼, 9½, 11, 12¼) (13½, 14¼, 15½, 16¼) inches
- Finished Width of Back: 11½ (12, 12¾, 13½, 14) (14¾, 15½, 16¾, 18) inches
- Length of Armholes: 8 (8¾, 9, 9¼, 9½) (9½, 9½, 9¾, 9¾) inches
Sample: The vest shown here is size 25½, worn on a model with a 32-inch chest circumference.
NOTES
CONSTRUCTION
You will work this vest flat in one piece, from bottom to top. You will divide stitches at underarms to work Fronts and Back separately, and then rejoin them to work the Collar. You have a choice of how to wear this vest: either with a shorter length from Bottom to underarms and a longer length Collar; or upside down with a longer length from Bottom to underarms and a shorter length Collar. Instructions are given as if wearing vest with longer length Collar, and Left and Right Front are as you would wear the vest that way.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
SLIP STITCHES
Right-Side Rows: Slip all slip stitches purlwise with yarn in back.
Wrong-Side Rows: Slip all slip stitches purlwise with yarn in front.
PATTERN
BOTTOM
Cast on 227 (257, 287, 317, 347) (377, 395, 431, 455) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 (see Special Instruction), *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k3, slip 1.
Row 2 (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures approximately 9½ (9½, 9½, 10, 10) (10, 10½, 10½, 10½) inches from cast-on edge, ending with Row 2.
DIVIDE FRONTS + BACK
Division Row (right side): K1, [k3, p3] 9 (11, 13, 15, 17) (19, 20, 22, 23) times, k3, p1, bind off 7 stitches in rib pattern (1 stitch remains on right needle after bind off), [k3, p3] 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) (20, 21, 23, 25) times, k3, p1, bind off 7 stitches in rib pattern (1 stitch remains on right needle after bind off), [k3, p3] 9 (11, 13, 15, 17) (19, 20, 22, 23) times, k3, slip 1. [213 (243, 273, 303, 333) (363, 381, 417, 441) total stitches remain: 59 (71, 83, 95, 107) (119, 125, 137, 143) stitches for Left Front (see Construction); 95 (101, 107, 113, 119) (125, 131, 143, 155) stitches for Back; 59 (71, 83, 95, 107) (119, 125, 137, 143) stitches for Right Front]
LEFT FRONT
You will now work back and forth on just the Left Front 59 (71, 83, 95, 107) (119, 125, 137, 143) stitches. (Leave remaining 154 (172, 190, 208, 226) (244, 256, 280, 298) stitches on your needles, or if you prefer to put them onto stitch holders or scrap yarn, that’s fine too!)
Set-Up Row 1 (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1 (see Special Instruction).
Row 1 (right side): K4, *p3, k3, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1.
Row 2 (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until Left Front measures 8 (8¾, 9, 9¼, 9½) (9½, 9½, 9¾, 9¾) inches from Division Row, ending with Row 1.
Next Row (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
With right side facing you, use a cable cast on to cast on 7 stitches. [66 (78, 90, 102, 114) (126, 132, 144, 150) Left Front stitches]
Cut yarn and place Left Front stitches onto stitch holders or scrap yarn.
BACK
You will now work back and forth on just the Back 95 (101, 107, 113, 119) (125, 131, 143, 155) stitches.
With wrong side facing you, join yarn.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1.
Row 1 (right side): K4, *p3, k3, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1.
Row 2 (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until Back measures 8 (8¾, 9, 9¼, 9½) (9½, 9½, 9¾, 9¾) inches from Division Row, ending with Row 1.
Next Row (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
With right side facing you, use a cable cast on to cast on 7 stitches. [102 (108, 114, 120, 126) (132, 138, 150, 162) Back stitches]
Cut yarn and place Back stitches onto stitch holders or scrap yarn.
RIGHT FRONT
Now you will work back and forth on just the Right Front 59 (71, 83, 95, 107) (119, 125, 137, 143)
stitches.
With wrong side facing you, join yarn.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k3, slip 1.
Row 2 (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until Right Front measures 8 (8¾, 9, 9¼, 9½) (9½, 9½, 9¾, 9¾) inches from Division Row, ending with Row 2.
JOIN FRONTS + BACK
Place Back and Left Front stitches onto needles.
Joining Row (right side): Working across Right Front, then Back, then Left Front stitches, slip 1, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k3, slip 1. [227 (257, 287, 317, 347) (377, 395, 431, 455) total stitches]
COLLAR
Set-Up Row (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k3, slip 1.
Row 2 (wrong side): P4, *k3, p3, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 11½ (11½, 11½, 12, 12) (12, 12½, 12½, 12½) inches from Joining Row, ending with Row 2.
With right side facing you, bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in the ends and gently wet block.
The pattern never indicate the casting back on the 7 stitches for the arm hole that was cast off. The total stitches on the needle after joining has 257 for size 2. 71+101+71 is 243.
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for writing in! The instruction to cast those 7 stitches back on is included in the 2nd to last line of the ‘Left Front’ and ‘Back’ sections of the pattern right before you cut your yarn to replace stitches. I hope this helps but if you need further assistance to work through this pattern, please let us know and we will be happy to take another look!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
This is all I have in the one I downloaded
JOIN FRONTS + BACK
Place Back and Left Front stitches onto needles.
Joining Row (right side): Working across Right Front, then Back, then Left Front stitches, slip 1, *k3,
p3, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k3, slip 1. [227 (257, 287, 317, 347) (377, 395, 431, 455) total stitches]
Hi Wendy,
The sections you should look for are ‘Left Front’ and ‘Back’. These sections will are written a little larger than the rest of the pattern and are in bold. In these two sections you will see the instruction on the second to last line. If you need further assistance finding these, please feel free to email our team at customerservice@purlsoho.com and we can take another look!
très joli et pratique
Hi Diane,
We are so happy to hear that you enjoy this new design! Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I love this vest!
Hi Nathalie,
We are so happy to hear that! We hope you enjoy the pattern!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
So cute! I’d love to have one in a yarn more suited to warmer weather/air conditioned spaces. What would you recommend?
Hi Margaret,
We are thrilled to hear you like this design! Our Morning yarn which is 75% organically grown cotton and 25% yak would be a wonderful option for this pattern! We also would suggest our newest cotton blend Plein Air which consists of 67% merino wool, 33% organically grown cotton! I hope this helps you jumpstart your next project!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
PLEASE PRESENT A PICTURE SHOWING US WHAT THE VEST LOOKS LIKE UPSIDE DOWN. THEN THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE I’D BUY THE PATTERN AND THE WOOL. (WILL I BE TOO LATE FOR THE SALE? JUST GOT HOME FROM AN INTERNET-FREE HOLIDAY!)
Hi Virginia,
Thanks for writing in! You can see the vest both long side up and short side up at the top of the pattern page. If you scroll through the images, we have included both options side by side. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Love love Purl Soho –
This is a great pattern and I would love to make. Live in FL so Big Wool too heavy for our weather. Can you recommend another yarn to use that is not wool
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for writing in! We are so happy to hear you would love to make this pattern! Our Morning yarn would make a wonderful alternative for warmer climates as its made with 75% organically grown cotton and 25% yak! We also have a very lovely cotton merino blend named Plein Air that would be a great option! I hope this helps!
Happy making,
Gavriella
My pattern has never come to my email.
Hi Lynda,
Thanks for writing in! It looks like you were signed up to get your free pattern to the email listed here. Could you please let us know if you are still having issues downloading the Easy Breezy Pattern?
All the best,
Gavriella
This pattern is super cute. I have 6 skeins of Linen Quill Worsted in Kettle Black and would love to make this pattern, but I’m not sure how to adjust the gauge. The yarn is a little thicker and the swatch ends up being a little larger than the gauge recommended, but almost correct (.5 – 1 inch larger).
Should I just knit the pattern using a smaller size ??? Is there a formula for such an adjustment?
Would love to use yarn in my stash…
Hi Mary Louise,
Thanks for writing in! It can be tricky to modify garment patterns for different gauges, so I would recommend choosing another size to knit. Here’s how to figure out which size to make:
First, make a gauge swatch in pattern with your intended yarn and needles (and it sounds like you’ve already done this!). Once you know how many stitches you’re getting per inch, multiply that number by the finished width of your original size. Then, compare the resulting number to the cast-on number of each size (227 (257, 287, 317, 347) (377, 395, 431, 455) stitches). The size that comes closest is the one you should make!
All the best,
Lili
Perfect, thanks! That was sort of what I thought, and very helpful.
All best!
I don’t see Good Wool in Periwinkle Gray anymore. Will there be a restock?
Thank you!
Hi Allison,
Thanks for your question! You can find Periwinkle Gray 11th from the bottom of the drop-down menu on the Good Wool product page. If you have issues identifying this color, please let us know.
All the best,
Gavriella