Sylvie in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Wool - Downloadable PDF

Sylvie Vest Knitting Pattern by Quail Studio – Mode at Rowan Alpaca Wool

The Sylvie pattern, designed by Quail Studio and published under the Mode at Rowan collection, is a beautifully structured knitted vest for adults. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern delivers a refined, textured garment that combines classic cable work with a garter stitch background for a sophisticated yet wearable result.

What Is Being Made

Sylvie is a knitted vest — a sleeveless garment designed to fit a wide range of chest sizes, from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), with actual garment chest measurements ranging from 85 cm to 163 cm. The vest features shaped armholes and a structured body, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for a variety of personal styles. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Walnut 016, a warm, earthy colourway that highlights the textural contrast between the cable panels and garter stitch sections.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Mode at Rowan Alpaca Wool, a DK weight yarn sold in 50g balls. Depending on the size being knitted, between 7 and 11 balls are required. Alpaca Wool is a luxuriously soft fibre blend that provides excellent stitch definition — ideal for showcasing the cable detailing central to this design. Its natural warmth and drape make it particularly well suited to a vest intended for layering.

• Yarn: Mode at Rowan Alpaca Wool, DK weight, 50g balls
• Yarn quantities: 7–11 balls depending on size
• Sample colourway: Walnut 016

Needles and Extras

Two pairs of straight needles are used throughout the pattern:

• 3.25mm (UK no. 10 / US 3) needles — used for ribbing or edging sections
• 3.5mm (UK no. 10/9 / US 4) needles — used for the main body fabric

Additional notions required include stitch holders, a stitch marker, and a cable needle — an essential tool for working the cable crossings that define the vest's visual character.

Tension

Achieving correct tension is important for a well-fitting result. The pattern specifies 24 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm measured over garter stitch using 3.5mm (US 4) needles. The cable panel measures 8 cm over 20 stitches. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning, as both the garter stitch gauge and the cable panel width affect the overall fit of the vest.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Sylvie employs a combination of classic knitting stitches and techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate difficulty category. Knitters should be comfortable with cable work and reading chart-based instructions before beginning this project.

• Garter stitch — forms the main background fabric of the vest body, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a squishy, ridged texture with excellent elasticity and lies flat without curling, making it an ideal backdrop for cable panels.
• Cable panels — the defining feature of the Sylvie design. Multiple cable panels are set against the garter stitch background, with the number of panels varying by size (3 to 5 panels depending on the chest measurement).
• C2B (Cable 2 Back) — a two-stitch cable cross worked by slipping one stitch to a cable needle held at the back, knitting the next stitch, then knitting the stitch from the cable needle. Creates a right-leaning twist.
• C2F (Cable 2 Front) — the mirror of C2B, with the cable needle held at the front, producing a left-leaning twist.
• C4