Par Vest for Him in Red Heart Super Tweed - LW2671

Par Vest for Him in Red Heart Super Tweed – LW2671: A Classic Men's Knitted Slipover Updated for Modern Knitters

Originally conceived for a pattern book published in 1937, the Par Vest for Him (LW2671) is a timeless men's slipover vest that has been thoughtfully updated by designer Jodi Lewanda for the contemporary knitter. Rated intermediate in difficulty, this project is an excellent choice for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to explore a classic textured stitch pattern. The finished garment is a versatile, pullover-style vest — sometimes called a slipover — with no sleeves, making it an ideal layering piece for cooler weather, a round of golf, or everyday smart-casual wear.

What Is Being Made

The Par Vest for Him is a men's knitted slipover vest worked in a tweedy aran-weight yarn. It is sized to fit a range of chest measurements, from Small through XX-Large, with finished chest measurements of 37 (41, 44, 48, 52) inches and finished lengths of 24 (26, 27½, 28½, 29½) inches. The vest is designed to be a practical, wearable garment that combines vintage charm with modern construction, including the use of a washable yarn that makes it easy to care for — a significant update from the original 1937 design.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: RED HEART® Super Tweed™ in colorway 7404 Smokey — an aran-weight yarn with a distinctive tweedy texture that gives the vest its classic, sophisticated appearance
• Yarn quantity: 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) balls depending on size
• Needles: 5mm [US 8] straight needles for flat knitting, plus a 5mm [US 8] circular needle, 24 inches long for working neckbands or edgings in the round
• Notions: Stitch markers, a stitch holder or safety pin, and a yarn needle for finishing

The use of RED HEART® Super Tweed™ is a deliberate and practical choice. Its aran weight creates a fabric with good stitch definition, making the textured Retro Stitch pattern stand out beautifully. Because it is machine washable, the finished vest is far more practical for everyday use than many traditional tweedy wool yarns, making it especially well-suited for an active lifestyle.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern calls for 18 stitches = 4¼ inches and 24 rows = 4 inches in the Retro Stitch pattern. Knitters are encouraged to use any needle size necessary to match this gauge, as sizing accuracy depends on it. A gauge swatch worked in the Retro Stitch pattern before beginning the main project is strongly recommended.

Techniques and Construction

The Par Vest for Him is worked flat using straight needles for the main body panels, with a circular needle used for picking up and working edgings. The construction follows a classic approach for slipovers: the back and front are knitted separately and then seamed together. Shaping is worked at the armholes and neckline, and both shoulders are finished simultaneously using separate balls of yarn — a technique that ensures symmetrical shaping and a neat, professional result.

Working both shoulders at the same time with separate yarn balls is a hallmark of intermediate-level knitting. It requires the knitter to manage two active yarn sources simultaneously while maintaining consistent stitch counts and shaping on each side. This method eliminates the risk of accidentally knitting one shoulder slightly differently from the other.

Stitches Used

Retro Stitch Pattern

The primary stitch pattern throughout the vest body is the Retro Stitch, an 8-row repeat worked over a multiple of 8 stitches plus 6. This pattern creates a classic, structured texture through the interplay of knit and purl stitches arranged in offset blocks. The eight rows are as follows:

• Row 1 (Right Side): Knit across
• Row 2: