Pattern picks
5 Easy Vest Knitting Patterns
A vest is the perfect step between accessories and a full sweater. No sleeves means less yarn, less time and less that can go wrong. Our five favorites right now are the Chunky Jellybean Vest, Fridag vest v-neck, Augustvest, Montpellier Slipover and Isla Slipover, all in the Knit&Note app.
By the Knit&Note team
If a sweater feels like a commitment, knit a vest. You get the satisfaction of a real garment, something you can wear over a shirt or a dress all year, without the part that slows most sweaters down. The sleeves.
No sleeves means less yarn, fewer stitches and a project you can realistically finish within the season you started it. Vests are also forgiving on fit. A little oversized looks intentional, and you can try the vest on as you knit.
Here are five we keep recommending, and an honest word on who each one is for.
1. Chunky Jellybean Vest, by Strikkerlittmye
A lovely, versatile vest with double ribbed edges that you can wear alone or over your favorite blouse, dress or a simple sweater. Knitted in chunky wool at 15 stitches per 10 cm, so it grows fast.
Yarn: HipKnitShop Hip wool. Needles: 4.5 and 6 mm circulars.
For you if: you want a first vest that is done quickly and looks far more polished than the effort suggests. The ribbed trims take a little patience, but they are what make it.
2. Fridag vest v-neck, by Aftenstrikk
A roomy, cozy vest with cables and double moss stitch, a short cut and a deep v-neck. Worked in the round from the bottom up, with around 20 cm of positive ease as pictured, and clear guidance in the pattern for choosing your size.
Yarn: Rauma Garn Vams held with Knitting for Olive Soft silk mohair. Needles: 5.5 and 6 mm circulars.
For you if: you have knitted a vest or a sweater before and want some texture to play with. The cables keep it interesting without taking over the whole project.
3. Augustvest, by Aftenstrikk
A cozy, reversible vest in chunky mohair with ties at the neckline. The neckline is the same on both sides, so you choose which way to wear it, and the ties let you adjust the circumference. Worked top down with simple increases at the neckline and under the arms.
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Ballerina Chunky Mohair. Needles: 4.5 and 6 mm circulars.
For you if: you want something a little different. The construction is simple, and the reversible detail gets you two looks out of one knit.
4. Montpellier Slipover, by novemberknits
An oversized slipover with a high rolled collar and ribbing down the sides, worked from the top down. The back and front are worked flat one at a time, then joined, and the body is finished in the round. More steps than the chunky vests here, but each step is straightforward.
Yarn: Isager Yarn Jensen held with Isager Yarn Silk Mohair. Needles: 4, 4.5 and 5 mm circulars.
For you if: you want a vest with real wardrobe presence and do not mind a construction with a few more stages. The high collar makes it.
5. Isla Slipover, by Knit&Note
Our own Isla Slipover is a summery, lightweight top with a loose, relaxed fit, worked top down in stockinette with folded edges. The finest gauge on this list at 24 stitches per 10 cm, and you can decorate it with embroidery if you like.
Yarn: Knit&Note Merino held with Knit&Note Cashmere Mohair. Needles: 3 and 3.5 mm circulars.
For you if: you want a vest for warmer days and enjoy calm, even stockinette. It takes longer than the chunky ones, and the result is the most refined of the five.
In the Knit&Note app
All five patterns live in the Knit&Note app. The reader keeps your place with a row counter, explains abbreviations when you tap them, and shows only the numbers for your size, so you never lose track mid round. Pick your size, cast on, and the app carries you through to the bind off.
How to pick between them
Fastest finish: Chunky Jellybean Vest or Augustvest
Most interesting knitting: Fridag vest v-neck
Biggest statement: Montpellier Slipover
For summer: Isla Slipover
FAQ
Is a vest easier to knit than a sweater?
Yes, in most cases. You skip the sleeves, which is both a lot of knitting and the fiddliest part of many sweaters. The body construction is usually the same, so a vest is great practice for your first sweater.
How much yarn do I need for a vest?
Less than for a sweater, often around two thirds, but it depends on your size, the yarn weight and the fit. Check the amounts table in the pattern and buy one extra skein if you are between sizes.
What is the difference between a vest and a slipover?
They are mostly the same garment. Slipover usually refers to a knitted vest you pull over your head, often with a v-neck or round neck, worn over a shirt or tee. In patterns the words are used interchangeably.
Can a beginner knit a vest as a first garment?
Yes. A vest in chunky yarn with simple construction, like the Chunky Jellybean Vest, is one of the best first garments you can choose. You learn increases, ribbing and finishing without committing to sleeves.
