Double Moss Stitch Vest in Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky - ER8-03 - Downloadable PDF

Double Moss Stitch Vest in Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky – ER8-03

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Ella Rae provides instructions for a classic children's Double Moss Stitch Vest, sized to fit chest measurements of 56, 61, 66, 71, and 76 cm (approximately ages 1–2 through 9–10 years). The finished garment lengths range from 22 cm to 34 cm, making this a versatile pattern that grows with the child. The vest is worked in pieces — a front and a back — then seamed together, with a neat ribbed neckband added as a finishing detail.

What Is Being Made

The project is a sleeveless vest designed for children, featuring a simple but visually appealing Double Moss Stitch fabric throughout the body. The vest has a shaped front neckline with cast-off shaping on both sides of the neck, while the back is worked straight to the shoulder without neck shaping. The result is a tidy, structured neckline finished with a picked-up ribbed neckband. This style of vest is a timeless wardrobe staple, equally suited to layering over shirts or wearing as a standalone top.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting in pieces: The front and back are each worked separately on straight needles, then joined at the shoulder seam.
• Neck shaping: On the front piece, stitches are divided at the centre neck and each side is worked independently. Stitches are cast off in stages (4 sts, then 3 sts) to create a smooth, rounded neckline curve.
• Holding stitches: Remaining stitches are placed on a holder while each side of the front neck is worked separately, a standard technique for symmetrical shaping.
• Picking up and knitting: After the shoulder seam is joined, stitches are picked up along both the front and back neck edges to work the neckband in the round or flat — a clean, professional finishing method.
• Seaming: The right shoulder seam is joined before the neckband is added, and the remaining finishing involves pressing pieces and joining seams.
• Blocking and pressing: The pattern instructs knitters to press pieces gently on the wrong side using a warm iron over a damp cloth, which helps set the stitches and even out the fabric before making up.

Stitches Used

• Double Moss Stitch (main pattern): Worked over a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1, this four-row repeat creates a richly textured, reversible fabric. Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end. Row 2: P1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end. Rows 3 and 4 reverse rows 2 and 1 respectively, creating the offset moss texture that gives the stitch its characteristic bumpy, woven appearance. Double Moss Stitch is a popular choice for children's knitwear because it lies flat, has good structure, and is straightforward to work once the four-row sequence is established.
• Twisted Rib (neckband and lower band): The lower band and neckband are worked in a twisted rib using kb1 (knit through back loop) and pb1 (purl through back loop). Twisting the stitches as they are worked gives the rib a firmer, crisper appearance and better elasticity than standard rib, making it ideal for neckbands that need to hold their shape.

Materials

• Yarn: Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky, a chunky weight yarn sold in 100g hanks. The pattern calls for 2 hanks for sizes 1–2 and 3–4 years, 2 hanks for size 5–6 years, 3 hanks for size 7–8 years, and 3–4 hanks for size 9–10 years, in colour number 104. Lace Merino Chunky combines the softness and warmth of merino wool with a chunky weight, making it comfortable against a