Duncan Vest in Berroco Mirelle - Downloadable PDF

Duncan Vest in Berroco Mirelle — Knitting Pattern Summary

The Duncan Vest is a knitted vest pattern designed by Alison Green and published by Berroco. Rated Intermediate in skill level, this pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and offers an impressive size range spanning ten sizes with finished bust measurements from 36" to 72" (91.5–183 cm), making it an exceptionally inclusive design suitable for a wide variety of body types. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Size 5 at 52" / 132 cm, modeled with approximately 6" of positive ease. The recommended ease for this vest is 4–8" / 10–20 cm of positive ease, giving the finished garment a relaxed, comfortable silhouette.

About the Design

The Duncan Vest is a pullover-style vest — a sleeveless upper-body garment that provides warmth and style without restricting arm movement. Vests like Duncan are popular layering pieces, worn over shirts, blouses, or lightweight sweaters across a range of seasons. The finished length ranges from 21" to 25½" (53.5–65 cm) depending on size, providing good torso coverage. The design incorporates cable detailing, which adds textural interest and visual depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward knitted fabric, elevating this vest into a more refined, artisan-quality garment.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Mirelle, a worsted-weight yarn sold in 100 g hanks. Depending on size, the pattern requires between 4 and 8 hanks, with the sample knitted in colorway #11806 Waterfall. Berroco Mirelle is a worsted-weight yarn, meaning it knits up at a medium gauge and is well-suited to structured stitch patterns like cables. Its weight provides good stitch definition, which is particularly important for showcasing the cable elements featured in this design.

• Yarn: Berroco Mirelle, worsted weight, 100 g hanks
• Colorway shown: #11806 Waterfall
• Quantity needed: (4, 4, 5) [5, 6, 6, 7] {7, 8, 8} hanks depending on size

Needles and Notions

The Duncan Vest is knitted using circular needles in two sizes, which is typical for garments worked in the round or requiring both body and finishing needle sizes. Circular needles are also commonly used for flat knitting when a garment has many stitches, as the cable accommodates the stitch count comfortably.

• 32" / 80 cm circular needles in sizes US 7 / 4.5 mm and US 8 / 5 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge
• 16" / 40 cm circular needle in size US 7 / 4.5 mm for finishing smaller circumferences such as neckbands or armhole edgings
• Spare US 8 / 5 mm needle for the three-needle bind off
• Cable needle (cn) for working cable stitches
• Stitch markers, including one removable marker
• Waste yarn for holding stitches

Gauge

The required gauge is 16 stitches and 23 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch using the larger US 8 / 5 mm needles. Achieving accurate gauge is especially important in a sized garment like this vest, where the finished bust measurement must match the intended size. Knitters are encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed before casting on.

Techniques and Stitches Used

As an intermediate-level pattern, the Duncan Vest incorporates a combination of foundational and more advanced knitting techniques. Knitters comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches who are ready to expand into shaping and cable work will find this pattern an excellent next step.