Van Gogh Sweater in Adriafil Knitcol - Downloadable PDF

Adriafil Knitcol "Van Gogh" Hooded Gilet – Pattern Summary

This pattern from Adriafil delivers a stylish, hooded gilet (sleeveless vest) worked in the brand's celebrated Knitcol yarn. Inspired by the rich, painterly colour palette associated with the name "Van Gogh," the design uses Knitcol's self-striping and colour-shifting properties to create a visually dynamic fabric without the need for complex colourwork techniques. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated suitable for beginner knitters, making it an accessible yet rewarding project.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a hooded, zip-front gilet — a sleeveless, body-warmer style sweater ideal for layering. It features a shaped waist for a flattering silhouette, armhole shaping, neckline shaping, and a hood, all finished with a blue zipper measuring 55 cm. The pattern is written to fit three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Adriafil Knitcol — a DK weight yarn available in multiple colourways. The pattern calls for 7 balls (S), 8 balls (M), or 8 balls (L). Knitcol is known for its long-repeat colour sequences that produce automatic striping and tonal gradients as you knit.
• Needles: Size 4½ knitting needles (straight or circular as preferred).
• Notions: A blue zipper, 55 cm long, for the front opening.

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension is 20 stitches and 29 rows over 10 × 10 cm in Stocking stitch using size 4½ needles. As with all knitting patterns, checking and matching tension before beginning is essential. The pattern advises switching needle size if necessary to achieve the correct gauge, which directly affects the finished dimensions of the gilet.

Stitches Used

• 1×1 Ribbing: A classic elastic stitch pattern worked by alternating one knit stitch and one purl stitch across the row. In this pattern, ribbing is used for the lower welts and likely for cuffs and edgings, providing a neat, stretchy border that helps the garment retain its shape.
• Stocking Stitch (Stockinette): The primary fabric stitch of the gilet. Worked by knitting every right-side row and purling every wrong-side row, Stocking stitch creates a smooth, flat surface that allows the colour gradients of Knitcol yarn to show to their full painterly effect.

Construction Techniques

The gilet is constructed in the traditional flat, seamed method, with separate pieces worked for the back and front sections before being joined. Key shaping techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Waist shaping: The back piece begins with 6 cm of 1×1 Ribbing, then transitions to Stocking stitch. Decreases are worked 4 times, 1 stitch at both edges, every 10 rows to create a tapered waist. Increases are then worked 2 times, 1 stitch at both edges, every 20 rows to restore width at the hip, producing a gently shaped, fitted body.
• Armhole shaping: Once the back reaches the required length (40 cm for S, 39 cm for M, 38 cm for L), stitches are bound off at both edges in a stepped sequence — first 3 stitches, then 2 stitches once, then 1 stitch multiple times on every following 2 rows — to create smooth, rounded armhole curves suitable for a sleeveless design.
• Neckline shaping: Neckline construction is referenced in the pattern to create the opening that leads into the hood.
• Hood construction: A defining feature of this gilet, the hood is integrated into the design and worked as part of the overall pattern instructions.