Anne

Anne Sweater Vest by Deb Hoss

What is Being Made

Anne is a shapely knitted sweater vest designed by Deb Hoss, featuring deep pockets and horizontal stripes. This garment is a reintroduction of the original Anne design, now constructed using a top-down, in-the-round method. The vest is designed to sit with a neckline positioned low enough to allow a peek of a tee shirt worn underneath, making it a versatile layering piece. Available in seven sizes ranging from 30 inches to 55¾ inches bust measurement, Anne offers a quick knit suitable for intermediate knitters.

Techniques Used

Anne employs several intermediate knitting techniques that build essential skills:

• Top-down circular knitting: The entire garment is worked in the round from the neckline downward, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless construction
• Short row shaping: Applied at the shoulders to create proper fit and garment shaping
• Stitch pick-up: Used around the neckline and armholes to add finishing details and create clean edges
• Decreases: Multiple decrease methods including ssk (slip, slip, knit), k2tog (knit two together), p2tog (purl two together), and p2tog tbl (purl two together through back loop) are used for shaping
• Increases: M1L (make one left) and m1R (make one right) increases are incorporated for strategic shaping
• Blocking: Final finishing step to set the garment and even out the stitch pattern

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Seeded Rib Check, a textured stitch pattern that creates visual interest while maintaining the structure needed for a fitted vest. The pattern combines elements of ribbing and seed stitch techniques to produce a distinctive checked texture. Horizontal stripes are worked throughout the design, adding color variation and visual appeal to the finished garment.

Materials

Anne is designed to be worked in worsted weight wool yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for the Seeded Rib Check pattern. The pattern requires circular needles appropriate for worsted weight yarn to accommodate the top-down, in-the-round construction method. The vest shown in the pattern photographs is modeled in size 34¼ inches and was worn with no ease, demonstrating how the finished garment fits when constructed to exact measurements.

Finished Measurements

The seven available sizes provide a comprehensive range of fit options. Bust measurements span from 30 inches to 55¾ inches, with corresponding waist measurements ranging from 27 inches to 53 inches. This range ensures Anne can be adapted for various body types and sizing preferences.

Difficulty Level

Anne is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While it incorporates fundamental techniques like long-tail and cable cast-ons, the pattern requires comfort with circular knitting, multiple decrease and increase methods, and short row shaping. This makes it an excellent project for knitters looking to expand their skills beyond basic stockinette stitch garments while still enjoying a relatively quick knit.