Paloma Waistcoat in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran - A204 - Downloadable PDF

Paloma Waistcoat in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran – Knitting Pattern by Jody Long

The Paloma Waistcoat is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Jody Long and published by Cascade Yarns. This elegant, sleeveless waistcoat is a versatile layering piece that works beautifully over blouses, shirts, or knitwear. Available as a free downloadable PDF, the pattern covers five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34") up to 122–127 cm (48–50"), with actual finished measurements spanning 92 cm to 133 cm and a full length of 76 cm to 84 cm depending on the size chosen.

Design Overview

The Paloma Waistcoat is a classic, structured garment that combines textural stitch patterns with cable detailing to create a sophisticated, timeless finish. The waistcoat silhouette — fitted through the body and sleeveless — makes it an ideal transitional piece suitable for a wide range of styling options. The design is worked flat in separate pieces and seamed, a construction method well suited to knitters who are comfortable working with multiple stitch patterns simultaneously.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern draws on a combination of foundational and intermediate knitting techniques, giving knitters a satisfying and skill-building project. The key stitches and techniques featured include:

• Moss Stitch – The primary stitch pattern used across the body of the waistcoat, worked over the main gauge of 18 stitches × 28 rows to 4" (10 cm). Moss stitch creates a dense, slightly textured fabric with excellent drape and structure, making it ideal for a waistcoat that needs to hold its shape.
• Stockinette Stitch (Ss) – Used in combination with the moss stitch sections to provide contrast and smooth areas within the garment.
• Cable Knitting – A cable needle is listed as a required tool, indicating that cable panels are incorporated into the design, adding visual interest and a classic handknit quality to the waistcoat.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) – The fundamental building blocks of the stitch patterns throughout.
• Shaping techniques – Including armhole, neck, and side shaping worked on both right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) rows, using methods such as alternating (Alt) and following (Foll) row decreases and increases typical of fitted garment construction.
• Stitch holder and stitch marker usage – Stitches are placed on holders for neckline and shoulder shaping, a standard intermediate technique for managing live stitches during garment construction.

Materials Required

The pattern is written specifically for Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash® Aran, a premium 100% Superwash Merino Wool yarn. Each hank contains 100 g (3.5 oz) / 150 yards (137.5 m), and the pattern calls for 9 to 13 hanks depending on the size being knitted. The colourway used in the original sample is #875 Feather Grey, a soft, neutral tone that highlights the textural stitch patterns beautifully. The Superwash treatment means the finished garment is machine washable — a practical advantage for everyday wear.

• Yarn: Cascade Yarns® 220 Superwash® Aran, 100% Superwash Merino Wool, colour #875 Feather Grey
• Needles: A pair of US 6 (4 mm / UK 8) needles and a pair of US 8 (5 mm / UK 6) needles
• Cable needle – required for working cable panels
• Additional notions: Large eye wool needle, stitch holders, and stitch markers

Gauge

The stated gauge is 18 stitches × 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) worked in Moss Stitch on