Caine

Caine Knitted Waistcoat by Iscula

What is Being Made

Caine is a top-down knitted waistcoat designed as a lightweight layering piece for when a full pullover or cardigan is not needed. This beginner-friendly vest provides warmth and structure while maintaining an open, sleeveless silhouette. The garment is worked using a combination of flat and circular knitting techniques, making it an excellent introduction to garment construction for knitters new to shaping and seamless construction.

Construction Technique

The Caine waistcoat is constructed using a top-down method, beginning with the shoulder width. After the initial shoulder section is completed, the armhole is worked in rows using Garter stitch ribbing. Once the armhole shaping is finished, the front and back pieces are rejoined and the body is worked in continuous rounds. The pattern concludes with knitted borders to finish all edges. This construction method eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless, professional-looking garment.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the garment. When worked flat, Stockinette is created by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side. When worked in the round, every round is knitted to create the characteristic smooth, V-patterned fabric.
• Garter Stitch Ribbing: Used specifically for the armhole shaping section worked in rows
• Backwards Loop Cast On: The method used to begin the project
• Knit and purl stitches as foundational techniques
• Picking up stitches to transition between sections
• Knit increases and purl increases for shaping
• Decreases for armhole and waist shaping
• Knitting in both rows (flat) and rounds (circular)

Materials and Gauge

Caine is designed to be worked in DK weight yarn using 3.75 mm (US 5) needles. The pattern calls for holding one strand of each yarn together, creating a blended yarn effect. The working gauge is 19 stitches and 26 rows over 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches) in Garter stitch, measured after blocking.

Essential notions include 6 stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn for holding stitches, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and blocking tools to finish the garment to its final dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, Caine introduces fundamental knitting skills including cast-on techniques, basic stitches, increases, decreases, and the transition between flat and circular knitting. The top-down construction and straightforward stitch patterns make this an accessible project for knitters building confidence in garment shaping and seamless techniques.