Blue Sky Fibers Men's Striped Vest PDF

Blue Sky Fibers Men's Striped Vest PDF – Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Blue Sky Fibers Men's Striped Vest is a classic, close-fitting layering piece designed by Melissa LaBarre and published by Blue Sky Fibers (formerly Blue Sky Alpacas). The design features a subtly asymmetrical stripe pattern that gives a traditional vest silhouette a modern, refined update. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated Advanced Beginner and is sized for adult men in five sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XL, and XXL, fitting chest measurements of 34, 38, 42, 46, and 50 inches respectively.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a men's sleeveless vest worked in a two-color stripe design. The vest is a versatile wardrobe staple, ideal as a layering piece over shirts or under jackets. The close-fitting silhouette and asymmetrical stripe arrangement make it a contemporary take on a timeless garment. The finished piece includes ribbed hem detailing and defined armhole and neckline shaping.

Construction Techniques

• Bottom-up construction: The vest begins at the lower hem and is worked upward toward the shoulders, allowing the knitter to establish the ribbed border before transitioning into the main body fabric.
• Worked flat (seamed): While the body begins by working in the round on a 32-inch circular needle, the front and back are eventually separated at the armholes and worked flat, then seamed together for a clean, structured finish typical of classic menswear knitwear.
• Stripes: The pattern uses a Main Color (MC) and a Contrasting Color (CC) in a subtly asymmetrical stripe sequence worked throughout the body in Stockinette stitch. The asymmetry adds visual interest without overwhelming the classic aesthetic.
• Ribbing: A k2, p2 rib is worked for approximately 3 inches at the lower hem, providing a neat, elastic border that keeps the vest from flaring at the bottom.
• Seam stitches: Single purl stitches are maintained at each side as mock "seam" stitches, giving the body clean side lines and making eventual finishing more straightforward.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the vest, creating a smooth, flat fabric that showcases the stripe sequence beautifully.
• k2, p2 ribbing: Used at the hem for elasticity and a polished finish.
• k2tog (knit two together): A standard right-leaning decrease used in armhole and neckline shaping.
• ssk (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease used in tandem with k2tog for symmetrical shaping at armholes and neckline.
• sl2kp (centered double decrease): A more advanced decrease — slip two stitches together as if to k2tog, knit one, then pass the two slipped stitches over — used for precise, centered shaping where needed.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Sport Weight or Blue Sky Fibers Melange in sport weight, sold in 50g/110-yard hanks. The pattern requires 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) hanks of MC and 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) hanks of CC depending on size. The photographed sample uses Medium Gray #508 as the Main Color and Relish #808 as the Contrasting Color.
• Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) 32-inch circular needle for the body and US 4 (3.5mm) 16-inch circular needle for finishing, or the size needed to achieve gauge.
• Notions: Two stitch markers in different colors, a tapestry needle for finishing and seaming, and scrap yarn for holding live stitches