Ladies V-Neck Vest in Plymouth Encore Worsted - F172

Ladies V-Neck Vest in Plymouth Encore Worsted

What is Being Made

This is a classic ladies' V-neck vest pattern designed for everyday wear. The vest is available in three sizes with finished bust measurements of 40, 44, and 48 inches, and lengths ranging from 20½ to 22½ inches. The design features a tailored V-neckline and is constructed as a sleeveless layering piece, making it versatile for pairing over long-sleeved shirts or worn as a standalone garment during warmer seasons.

Construction Technique

The vest is worked in one piece to the armholes, which streamlines the construction process and minimizes seaming. This method involves casting on all stitches at once and working the body as a single unit before dividing for the armhole shaping. The pattern incorporates a functional button front closure with four evenly spaced buttonholes, placed approximately every 3½ inches along the front edge.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st) — The primary stitch pattern forming the main fabric of the vest, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Garter Stitch — Used for the ribbed borders and edges, created by knitting every row for a textured, elastic finish
• Yarn Over (YO) — A decorative increase stitch used to create the buttonholes
• Knit Two Together (K2TOG) — A right-leaning decrease stitch paired with the yarn over to form buttonholes and maintain stitch count
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) — A left-leaning decrease stitch referenced in the pattern abbreviations for shaping

Materials and Gauge

This pattern calls for Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted in color #9625, requiring 3 to 4 balls of 100 grams each depending on size. The yarn is worked on US Size 6 and Size 7 needles, both in 24-inch length (appropriate for working in the round or flat). The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on size 7 needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The pattern also requires four buttons for the front closure.

Pattern Features

The vest begins with a smaller needle size to create a firm, elastic cast-on edge and ribbed border. After knitting 4 rows on the smaller needles, the first buttonhole is worked, followed by a switch to the larger needles for the main body. The construction maintains garter stitch borders of 7 stitches on each side throughout, providing a finished edge and structural stability. The pattern uses straightforward knit and purl stitches with periodic buttonhole placement, making it suitable for knitters with intermediate skills.