How to Knit a Lady's Vest

A knitted vest is a classic and useful accessory in any wardrobe. It can dress up a plain blouse and a pair of jeans, or add another layer to a shirtdress and jacket. A vivid vest can add a pop of color to an otherwise bland neutral suit. Knitting your own vest can give you a wide variety of options in color and style. This crew-neck pullover vest is a suitable project for an intermediate knitter or an ambitious beginner; it makes a size medium.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted weight yarn
• Straight knitting needles, sizes 8 and 10
• 16-inch circular knitting needle, size 8
• 2 stitch holders
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle

Instructions

Knit the Back

1. Cast on 62 stitches, loosely, on the size 8 needles. Work in knit one purl one ribbing for 2 inches, ending on an even-numbered row.

2. Work in stockinette stitch, knitting the odd numbered rows and purling the even-numbered rows, until the back reaches 12 inches, ending on an odd-numbered row.

3. Bind off eight stitches at the beginning of the next row, and purl across to the end of the row. Then, bind off eight stitches at the beginning of the following row, and knit across to the end of that row.

4. Purl the next row all the way across; continue in stockinette stitch until the armhole measures 11 inches.

5. Bind off two stitches at the beginning of the next six rows. Slip the remaining stitches onto the stitch holder.

Knit the Front

1. Work the front in the same way as the back until the armhole measures 8 inches, ending on an even-numbered row. Place a stitch marker on the center stitch.

2. Knit to within four stitches of the marker. Place eight stitches -- four on each side of the marker -- on another stitch holder. Continue knitting to the other side.

3. Purl across until you get to the bound-off stitches; drop the working yarn. Draw a second strand of yarn from the skein and use it to purl off the remaining stitches.

4. Knit back across until you are within two stitches of the neck opening; knit two together; drop the yarn. Pick up the second yarn; slip one stitch, knit one, and pass the slipped stitch over.

5. Repeat these two steps until the armhole measures a total of 11 inches. Bind off two stitches at the beginning of the next six rows. Bind off the remaining stitches after six rows.

Knit the Neck and Armhole Ribbing

1. Use the yarn needle to join the shoulder and side seams of the back and front.

2. Using the circular needle, with the right side facing you, transfer the stitches on the holder for the back onto the circular needle. Pick up evenly spaced stitches along the side of the neck until you get to the stitches on the holder in the front. Transfer those stitches onto the needle, and then pick up an equal number off stitches on the other side. Work in knit one purl one ribbing for 1 1/2 inches. Bind off loosely

3. Use the circular needle to pick up evenly spaced stitches around the armhole; work in knit one purl one ribbing for 1 inch. Repeat this step for the other armhole. Bind off loosely.

4. Use the yarn needle to weave in all loose ends. Block the vest.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase or decrease the size by adding or subtracting the cast-on by four stitches for each size difference.

• Add interest to the front by adding cables or trying a different pattern stitch.

• Use variegated yarn to give added depth and color.

• Make stripes by changing the colors of the yarn every four to six rows.