Bona Fide Vest

Bona Fide Vest by Sharon Slarke

What Is Being Made

The Bona Fide Vest is a fitted sleeveless waistcoat designed by Sharon Slarke, featuring a classic Guernsey style patterned design with a turtle neck. This intermediate-level knitting project combines traditional Guernsey patterning with modern shaping, creating a garment that tapers from the waist to the bust for a flattering, fitted silhouette. The vest is constructed in pure wool, making it a durable and warm layering piece suitable for cooler weather wear.

Finished Measurements

The Bona Fide Vest is available in five sizes with the following finished chest measurements:

• Size 1: 72cm (28 inches)
• Size 2: 88cm (34½ inches)
• Size 3: 96cm (37¾ inches)
• Size 4: 104cm (41 inches)
• Size 5: 112cm (44 inches)

The vest length ranges from 50cm to 53cm (19¾ to 20¾ inches) across the size range, with minimal variation to accommodate different bust sizes while maintaining consistent proportions.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs fitted waistcoat shaping techniques that create definition between the waist and bust areas. The construction utilizes stitch markers placed strategically between edge stitches and pattern repeats to help maintain pattern alignment and track increases. The pattern incorporates increase stitches worked on the outer side of markers, a technique that provides both structural shaping and visual clarity for pattern placement. The turtle neck is worked using circular needles in the round, a common method for creating seamless necklines with consistent stitch definition.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in the Bona Fide Vest is the Guernsey Style Stitch, a traditional knitting pattern with stitch multiples that create the characteristic textured appearance associated with classic Guernsey knitwear. This stitch is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4 inches) using 4.5mm needles, establishing the fabric density and drape. The pattern instructions note that the Guernsey Style Stitch uses repeating stitch multiples, requiring careful attention to pattern alignment throughout the garment construction.

Materials and Yarn

The Bona Fide Vest is designed to be knitted in worsted weight yarn (also called 10 ply), with yardage requirements of 3 to 5 skeins depending on size selection. The pattern specifies Cascade 220, a 100% wool yarn available in 100g skeins with approximately 201 meters (220 yards) per skein, though any comparable worsted weight yarn can be substituted. The pattern accommodates multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge: 4.5mm straight needles for flat pieces, and 4.5mm, 5mm, and 5.5mm circular needles (40cm/16 inches) for various sections including the turtle neck. Knitters should select needle size based on achieving the specified gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm.

Difficulty Level

The Bona Fide Vest is rated as an intermediate knitting project, appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with stitch patterns, shaping techniques, and multiple needle sizes. The combination of Guernsey patterning, waist-to-bust shaping, and circular needle work requires attention to detail and pattern reading ability, making it suitable for experienced beginners or intermediate knitters seeking to expand their technical repertoire.