Vests and Top in Hayfield Fiesta DK - 7291 - Downloadable PDF

Vests and Top in Hayfield Fiesta DK – Pattern 7291: Complete Summary

Pattern 7291 from Hayfield is a knitting pattern offering three distinct designs — a Plain Vest, a Striped Vest, and a Top — all worked in Hayfield Fiesta DK yarn. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers dress sizes 10 through 20, fitting bust measurements from 81 cm (32 in) to 107 cm (42 in), making it an inclusive, versatile choice for a wide range of knitters. All three garments are relatively straightforward knitted tops suited to warmer weather or layering, with a full length ranging from approximately 53 cm to 61 cm depending on size.

The Three Designs at a Glance

Plain Vest

The Plain Vest is a clean, unfussy sleeveless top knitted entirely in a single colour. It is worked in Hayfield Fiesta DK shade 502 and requires 3 to 4 balls of 100g yarn depending on size. Its simplicity makes it an ideal project for knitters who want a quick, satisfying make with a polished, wearable result. The single-colour construction allows the texture of the stocking stitch fabric to take centre stage.

Striped Vest

The Striped Vest introduces colour interest through the use of two shades of Hayfield Fiesta DK. The Main shade 505 forms the body of the garment, requiring 2 to 3 balls, while Contrast shade 502 provides the stripe detail and requires just 1 ball across all sizes. Stripe knitting is a classic technique that involves switching between yarn colours at regular row intervals, creating bold horizontal bands of colour. This design is a great introduction to working with multiple colours without the complexity of colourwork such as Fair Isle or intarsia.

Top

The Top is the most colourful of the three designs, combining a Main shade 500 with a Contrast shade 504, both in Hayfield Fiesta DK. The main shade requires 3 to 4 balls and the contrast shade requires 1 ball. Like the Striped Vest, the contrast colour adds visual interest and definition, making this a stylish, eye-catching garment suitable for everyday wear.

Yarn: Hayfield Fiesta DK

Hayfield Fiesta DK is the specified yarn for all three designs in this pattern. It is a DK weight (double knitting) yarn, which is one of the most popular and versatile yarn weights in knitting. DK yarn strikes a balance between fine detail and a satisfying pace of knitting — lighter than Aran but with more substance than 4-ply. The specific shades referenced in this pattern are 500, 502, 504, and 505. Yarn quantities are sold in 100g balls, and the pattern notes that amounts are based on average requirements when the specified tension and yarn are used.

Needles Required

Two pairs of knitting needles are needed to complete any of the three designs:

• 4mm needles (UK 8 / USA 6) — used for the main body of the garments
• 3¼mm needles (UK 10 / USA 3) — typically used for ribbed edgings and neckbands to create a neater, firmer finish

Using two needle sizes is standard practice in garment knitting. The smaller needle produces a tighter, more elastic fabric for borders and welts, while the larger needle creates the looser, more drapey fabric of the main body sections.

Stitches and Techniques Used

All three designs are built on fundamental knitting stitches and techniques, making them accessible to confident beginner and intermediate knitters alike.

• Stocking stitch — the primary stitch used throughout all three garments. Stocking stitch is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, flat fabric on the