Weste Flower Power

Weste Flower Power by Ellen Hildebrandt

What Is Being Made

The Weste Flower Power is a knitted vest cardigan designed in size L/XL with a gently A-shaped silhouette in the lower section. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a structured sleeveless garment suitable for layering, featuring button closure at the front.

Finished Measurements

• Lower width: 144 cm
• Bust circumference: 128 cm
• Total length: 60 cm

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to construct the vest. The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, allowing for seamless construction of the body. Raglan shaping is incorporated to create well-fitted armholes and sleeve openings. The pattern uses stockinette stitch (glatt rechts) as the primary fabric structure, creating a smooth, refined surface. Garter stitch (kraus rechts) is also utilized in the pattern, providing textural variation. Stitch markers are essential throughout the construction to track pattern repeats and shaping increases. The vest features a button band closure, requiring careful edge finishing and button placement.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard German knitting abbreviations. Key stitches include:

• Rechts (re): knit stitch
• Links (li): purl stitch
• Umschlag (U): yarn over for lace or decorative increases
• Zusammenstricken (zuss): knit two stitches together for right-leaning decreases
• Überzogen zusammenstricken (übzuss): slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over for left-leaning decreases
• Abheben (abh): slip stitch
• Raglanmasche: raglan stitch for shaping

Materials Required

The Weste Flower Power is designed to be knitted with 350 grams of Mini Alpakka yarn from Sandnes Garn, a luxurious natural fiber. The yarn composition is 100% alpaca with a yardage of 150 meters per 50-gram skein, classified as 4-ply weight yarn. The example shown is worked in Senfgelb (mustard yellow) 2015. Two circular needles are required: one in 3 mm size and one in 2.5 mm size, allowing for gauge adjustments and ribbed edging. Additional notions include eight stitch markers for tracking pattern sections and raglan increases, and five buttons measuring 15 mm in diameter for the front closure.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches by 34 rows equals 10 by 10 centimeters when worked in stockinette stitch (glatt rechts). Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and proper fit of the vest.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this project is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle shaping techniques, circular needle work, and garment construction. The combination of raglan shaping, stitch marker management, and button band finishing makes this an engaging intermediate-level design.