Silverton

Silverton Knitted Waistcoat by Pat Menchini

What Is Being Made

The Silverton is a knitted waistcoat designed by Pat Menchini, offered as a downloadable PDF pattern. This garment is a sleeveless vest-style piece suitable for a range of sizes, from bust measurements of 76–81 cm (30–32 inches) up to 127–132 cm (50–52 inches). The waistcoat features button closure and is designed to sit at approximately 62–67 cm in length from hem to shoulder shaping, depending on the chosen size.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using the knitting craft. The Silverton is classified as a beginner-level design, making it an accessible introduction to waistcoat construction for knitters new to garment shaping. The pattern is provided in a downloadable PDF format, allowing crafters to work at their own pace with printed instructions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Silverton employs garter stitch (g-st) as its primary stitch pattern. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, producing a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. This fundamental stitch is ideal for beginners as it requires only basic knit stitches and creates a stable, forgiving fabric suitable for garment construction.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for Stylecraft Life Aran yarn in the shade Grey 2419. Aran weight yarn is a medium-heavy yarn that works quickly and creates substantial, durable garments. Yardage requirements vary by size:

• Sizes 76–81 cm and 86–91 cm bust: 4 balls of 100g (792 metres/868 yards total)
• Sizes 97–102 cm, 107–112 cm, and 117–122 cm bust: 5 balls of 100g (990 metres/1,085 yards total)
• Size 127–132 cm bust: 6 balls of 100g (1,188 metres/1,302 yards total)

Each 100g ball of Stylecraft Life Aran contains 198 metres or 217 yards of yarn.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles: 4 mm (UK 8, US 6) needles for ribbed sections and 5 mm (UK 6, US 8) needles for the main body worked in garter stitch. The waistcoat is finished with 2 buttons for closure.

Tension and Gauge

Correct tension is essential for achieving the proper fit. The pattern specifies a tension of 17 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over garter stitch using 5 mm needles. Knitters should always test their tension before beginning the project. If the tension is too loose, a finer needle should be used; if too tight, a larger needle is recommended. Matching the stated tension ensures the finished waistcoat will fit as designed across all size options.

Size Range and Fit

The Silverton is available in six sizes with generous ease built into the design. Actual bust measurements range from 94 cm (37 inches) for the smallest size to 144 cm (56¾ inches) for the largest, providing comfortable fit options for a wide range of body types.