Zac Zip Up Waistcoat - Knitting Pattern for Kids in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Downloadable PDF

Zac Zip Up Waistcoat – Knitting Pattern for Kids by Debbie Bliss

The Zac Zip Up Waistcoat is a children's knitted waistcoat (vest) designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in her signature Rialto DK yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a smart, practical zip-up waistcoat featuring a textured stitch pattern, integrated pockets, and a clean open-ended zip fastening — making it an ideal layering piece for active kids. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers three sizes to fit ages 2–3, 4–5, and 6–7 years.

Finished Measurements

• Chest: 66 cm / 26 in (age 2–3), 69 cm / 27¼ in (age 4–5), 73 cm / 28¾ in (age 6–7)
• Length: 36 cm / 14½ in (age 2–3), 40 cm / 15¾ in (age 4–5), 44 cm / 17¼ in (age 6–7)

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a sleeveless zip-up waistcoat for children, constructed in separate pieces — a back, a left front, a right front, and multiple pocket linings — that are seamed together on completion. The design includes both large and small pocket linings, adding functional detail suited to children's garments. Four buttons are incorporated into the design alongside the open-ended zip, giving the front a neat, structured finish.

Construction Technique

The waistcoat is worked flat (back and forth in rows) on straight knitting needles, following a bottom-up construction method. Each piece is cast on at the lower edge and worked upward to the shoulders. Pocket linings are knitted separately and held on stitch holders before being joined to the main fabric. The pieces are then seamed together to complete the garment. A zip is sewn in along the front opening once knitting is complete, and buttons are attached as specified in the pattern.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

• Moss stitch (seed stitch): Used for the lower border of the back and fronts, created by working k1, [p1, k1] to end on every row, producing a neat, non-curling edge texture.
• Chart-based textured pattern: The main body fabric is worked from a chart featuring an 8-stitch pattern repeat. The chart uses a combination of knit and purl stitches on both right-side and wrong-side rows to create a subtle raised texture across the fabric. Right-side rows are read from right to left, and wrong-side rows from left to right.
• Stocking stitch (stockinette): Used for the pocket linings, worked in the standard way with knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side.
• Decrease techniques: The pattern uses skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) as a left-leaning decrease, alongside k2tog, for shaping at armholes and necklines.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Scarlet 12 — 5 balls (ages 2–3 and 4–5) or 6 balls (age 6–7) of 50g each. Rialto DK is a premium merino wool yarn known for its soft handle, stitch definition, and vibrant colour take-up, making it well suited to children's knitwear.
• Needles: A pair of 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles for the moss stitch borders, and a pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles for the main body pattern and pocket linings.
• Tension/Gauge: 24 stitches and 34 rows to