Edward

Edward Waistcoat by Rita Taylor

What is Being Made

Edward is an advanced knitting pattern for a fitted waistcoat designed by Rita Taylor. This downloadable PDF pattern includes instructions for two sizes: 38-40 inches and 42-44 inches actual chest measurement, with a finished length of 30 inches. The waistcoat is constructed using a combination of knitting techniques and features a sophisticated color work design.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Edward waistcoat employs several advanced knitting techniques suitable for experienced knitters. The garment is worked in the round from the cast-on edge up to the armholes, which creates seamless construction and ensures consistent tension throughout the body section. After reaching the armhole depth, the piece is divided for back and front and then knitted flat on straight needles to complete the armholes and neckline shaping.

The pattern incorporates charted colorwork, with knitters following Chart B once and then Chart A throughout the remainder of the pattern. This structured approach to color placement creates visual interest while maintaining the advanced difficulty level. Strategic increases and decreases are used to shape the waistcoat, including make-one increases during the ribbed cuff and single-stitch decreases at the armhole edges to create proper garment shaping.

Stitches Used

• Knit and purl ribbing (K1P1) – used for the 3-inch cuff at the lower edge to create elasticity and a finished appearance
• Stockinette stitch – the primary fabric base throughout the body, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows when working flat
• Make-one increases (m1) – strategically placed during the ribbed section to increase stitch count before transitioning to the main pattern
• Single-stitch decreases – worked at armhole edges on alternate rows to shape the waistcoat and create proper fit
• Cast-off stitches – used to bind off stitches at the beginning of armhole rows for structured shaping
• Charted colorwork stitches – following Chart A and Chart B patterns to create the design element

Materials and Specifications

This pattern calls for Stylecraft Luxury Merino DK yarn in multiple coordinating colors. The primary color is Silver (3641) requiring 200 grams, with five accent colors each requiring 100 grams: Oyster (3639), Olive (3632), Mulberry (3635), Merlot (3643), and Damask (3634). The DK weight yarn is a versatile medium weight suitable for creating garments with good drape and definition.

Needles required include circular needles in sizes 3.00mm and 3.75mm for working in the round, plus a pair of straight needles in the same sizes for the flat knitting sections after the armhole division. The pattern specifies a tension of 26 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches over the charted pattern, which is essential to achieve the correct finished measurements.

Pattern Construction Details

The Edward waistcoat begins with casting on 262 stitches for the smaller size or 274 stitches for the larger size using 3.00mm needles. The first 3 inches are worked in K1P1 ribbing, which provides a neat, elastic edge. On the final ribbing row, strategic increases are worked to bring the stitch count to 288 stitches (first size) or 306 stitches (second size) before changing to 3.75mm needles for the main body.

The pattern then transitions to the charted colorwork, beginning with Chart B worked once, followed by Chart A worked repeatedly throughout. The body is knitted in the round until the work measures approximately 16 inches and ends after completing a 29th row of the chart. At this point, 144 stitches (first size) or 153 stitches (second size) are placed on a holder for the front, and the remaining stitches are divided to work the back and armhole shaping on straight needles. The armhole shaping involves casting off 10 stitches (first size) or 14 stitches (second size) at the beginning of the next two rows, followed by single-stitch decreases at each end on alternate rows until the desired armhole depth is achieved.