1248 Maranjab - Waistcoat Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Wachusett by Valley Yarns

Pattern Summary: Maranjab Waistcoat Knitting Pattern for Women by Susan Baron

The Maranjab (#1248) is a beautifully designed women's open vest — or waistcoat — created by designer Susan Baron and published by Valley Yarns in 2022. Described as a "simple indulgence," this pattern delivers a classic, elegant layering piece suited to three-season wear. The design features a striking wrap-around cable band that frames the front opening and continues beyond the shoulders to meet at the back of the neck, giving the garment a polished, intentional finish. Whether knitted as a personal treat or a gift for someone special, the Maranjab is a timeless addition to any handknit wardrobe.

What Is Being Made

The Maranjab is a women's sleeveless open vest (waistcoat) with an integrated front band featuring cables and ribbing. It is a true layering piece — open at the front with no buttons or closures — designed to be worn over other garments for effortless, polished style. The vest is available in a generous size range to suit a wide variety of figures.

• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL
• Finished Bust Measurements: 35¼ (39¾, 44, 48½, 53) (57½, 62, 66¼) inches
• Ease: Designed with 3–5 inches of positive ease for a relaxed, comfortable fit
• Shown in: Size S in the colorway Dusty Blue

Construction and Techniques

The Maranjab is worked seamlessly from the bottom up in one piece, making it an approachable and satisfying knit. The body is cast on at the hem and worked upward to the armholes, at which point the work divides to create the two fronts and the back separately. This bottom-up, one-piece approach minimizes finishing and keeps the knitting intuitive and enjoyable.

A defining construction detail is the integrated cable and rib front bands. Rather than being picked up and added after the fact, these bands are built directly into the body of the vest as it is knitted. They continue past the shoulder seams and extend to the back of the neck, where they are seamed together — creating a seamless-looking, wrap-around effect that frames the neckline beautifully.

• Bottom-up construction: The garment begins at the hem and is worked upward, a method that allows knitters to try on the piece as they go and make length adjustments easily.
• Seamless body: Knit in one piece to the armholes, reducing the number of seams required.
• Cable band: An 18-stitch cable pattern runs along both front edges. The right front uses an 18-st Right Cable pattern and the left front uses an 18-st Left Cable pattern, creating a mirrored, symmetrical appearance.
• Ribbing: A K3/P2 rib is used throughout the body and bands, providing structure and a neat, classic texture.
• Slipped edge stitch: To create a clean, professional selvedge, the first stitch of every row is slipped with the yarn held to the wrong side of the piece.
• Long-Tail Cast-On: The pattern specifies this method for casting on, which produces a neat, slightly elastic edge well-suited to ribbing.
• Shoulder seaming: The cable bands are seamed at the back of the neck after the shoulders are joined, completing the wrap-around effect.
• Armhole bands: Worked separately using a smaller circular needle or double-pointed needles to finish the armhole edges neatly.

Stitches Used

The Maranjab uses a focused and manageable set of stitch patterns, making it ideal for knitters who are ready to move beyond plain stockinette but are not yet experienced with complex cable work.

• Stockinette stitch: Used for the main body of the vest. Gauge is measured in stockinette — 19 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches, gently blocked.
• K3/P2 Ribbing: