Stewart In Rowan Alpaca Soft - Downloadable PDF

Stewart Vest in Rowan Alpaca Soft – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Stewart pattern from Quail Studio is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern for a classic knitted vest worked in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK weight yarn. Designed for advanced beginner knitters, this project offers an excellent opportunity to build confidence with shaping techniques while producing a polished, wearable garment. The vest features a structured front neck opening with a 20 cm closed zip fastening, ribbed side panels, and carefully shaped shoulders and neckline, making it a stylish and practical layering piece.

Garment Overview

Stewart is a pullover-style vest with a divided front neck, a ribbed border detail along the side edges, and a stocking stitch body. The pattern is sized to fit a wide range of chest measurements, spanning from 71–107 cm (28–38 in) through 112–137 cm (40–54 in) up to 142–157 cm (56–62 in), with actual garment chest measurements of 80 cm, 110 cm, and 140 cm respectively. This generous size range makes the pattern accessible to a broad audience.

Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (st st): The main body fabric of the vest is worked in classic stocking stitch — knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows — creating a smooth, clean surface.
• Rib stitch: A (K1, P1) rib is used along the side edges of both the back and front pieces, adding a neat, structured border that frames the garment and provides a subtle textural contrast.
• Shoulder shaping: Worked through a series of cast-off rows at the beginning of right and wrong side rows, the shoulder shaping creates a neat, sloped shoulder seam. The number of stitches cast off per row varies by size, ensuring a well-fitted finish across all three size brackets.
• Front neck division: The front is divided at the neck using a holder for the centre stitches, and each side is then worked separately. This creates the opening through which the zip is later inserted.
• Neck shaping with decreases: Stitches are decreased at the neck edge on following 8th rows and then on following 6th rows, producing a gradual, elegant neckline curve.
• Side edge increases (M1R and M1L): Increases are worked at the side edge simultaneously with the neck decreases, maintaining the correct stitch count and silhouette. The pattern uses the M1R (make one right) and M1L (make one left) techniques for neat, directional increases that lie flat and blend into the fabric.
• Collar/neckband: Centre front stitches are placed on a holder for the collar, to be picked up and worked later as a finishing detail.
• Zip insertion: A 20 cm closed zip is sewn into the front neck opening as a functional and decorative closure — a feature that gives Stewart a contemporary, sportswear-inspired edge.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – the primary body stitch throughout
• K1, P1 rib – used for side borders on both front and back pieces
• M1R (Make One Right) – a directional increase worked by picking up the horizontal loop before the next stitch and knitting into the front of it
• M1L (Make One Left) – a directional increase worked by picking up the horizontal loop before the next stitch and knitting into the back of it
• Cast off shaping – used at shoulders and neckline to form the garment's structure

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Rowan Alpaca Soft yarn in 50 g balls, a luxuriously soft DK weight yarn. The photographed sample is worked in Deep Rose (shade 206). You will need 3 balls for the smallest size and 4 balls