Hoehne Vest in Berroco Ultra Alpaca - Pv2-14 - Downloadable PDF

Hoehne Vest in Berroco Ultra Alpaca – Pattern Summary (Pv2-14)

The Hoehne Vest is an elegant, knitted waistcoat designed by Courtney Spainhower and published by Berroco as part of their Portfolio Vol. 2 collection. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level pattern produces a sophisticated, lace-accented vest that is equally suited to layering over blouses or wearing as a standalone statement piece. With its refined silhouette and delicate stitch patterning, the Hoehne Vest is an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore more textured and decorative techniques.

Garment Overview

The Hoehne Vest is a closed-front waistcoat worked in a flattering, semi-fitted shape. It is offered in six sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 38" to 56" (closed), making it accessible to a wide range of body types. Finished lengths range from 22¾" to 26¼" depending on the size selected. The pattern is designed with approximately 2 inches of positive ease, meaning knitters should take their actual bust measurement and account for that ease when choosing their size. This relaxed but not oversized fit gives the vest a polished, wearable drape.

Techniques Used

The Hoehne Vest is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, making it ideal for knitters who have moved beyond beginner projects and are confident with shaping, lace, and working in the round. Key techniques featured in this pattern include:

• Lace knitting – The body of the vest incorporates the Faun Eye Lace stitch pattern, which creates an intricate, decorative texture with an open, airy quality characteristic of traditional lace work.
• Circular needle knitting – The pattern calls for both 16" and 24" circular needles, suggesting sections are worked in the round, which is common for seamless body construction and finishing details such as neckbands and armhole edgings.
• Stitch marker usage – Four stitch markers and two removable stitch markers are required, indicating the pattern involves careful tracking of pattern repeats, shaping sections, or stitch placement within the lace design.
• Stitch holder usage – One stitch holder is called for, typically used to hold live stitches during armhole or neckline shaping while other sections are worked.
• Garment shaping – As a fitted vest, the Hoehne includes bust, armhole, and neckline shaping worked across multiple sizes, requiring knitters to follow size-specific instructions carefully.

Stitches Used

The Hoehne Vest combines two primary stitch patterns to create its distinctive look:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – A classic knitting foundation stitch, worked by alternating knit and purl rows (or knitting every round when working in the round). Stockinette provides a smooth, clean fabric that serves as a backdrop and structural element within the vest.
• Faun Eye Lace – This is the signature decorative stitch pattern of the Hoehne Vest. Lace stitches typically involve yarn-over increases paired with corresponding decreases to create deliberate holes and visual motifs within the fabric. The Faun Eye motif gives the vest its refined, feminine character and elevates it beyond a simple stockinette garment.

The gauge for this pattern is set at 19 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches, measured in both Stockinette Stitch and the Faun Eye Lace pattern. Knitters are strongly encouraged to swatch and check gauge carefully before beginning, as the combination of a smooth stitch and an open lace stitch can affect overall fabric tension and finished dimensions.

Materials Required

The recommended yarn for the Hoehne Vest is Berroco Ultra Alpaca, a luxurious aran weight yarn sold in 100-gram hanks. The pattern calls for 3 to 6 hanks depending on the size being knitted, with smaller sizes requiring 3 hanks and the largest sizes requiring up to 6 hanks.