Zipped Gilet in Sirdar Funky Fur - 8239 - Downloadable PDF

Zipped Gilet in Sirdar Funky Fur – Pattern 8239: A Detailed Summary

This knitting pattern, published by Sirdar under pattern number 8239, provides instructions for a Woman's Zipped Gilet — a sleeveless, zip-front vest or bodywarmer — worked in a striking combination of two yarns: Sirdar Funky Fur as the main shade and Sirdar No.1 DK as the contrast shade. The result is a cosy, textured gilet with a fluffy, fashion-forward appearance created by the novelty fur yarn, finished with a clean ribbed edge and a practical open-ended zip fastener. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a sleeveless gilet (also known as a vest or bodywarmer) designed for women. It features a zipped front opening, making it easy to put on and take off and giving it a sporty yet cosy aesthetic. The gilet is worked in the round of classic knitted panels — a back and two fronts — and is shaped at the armholes and shoulders. The fluffy texture of Sirdar Funky Fur gives the body of the gilet a luxuriously soft, furry surface, while the Sirdar No.1 DK contrast yarn is used for the ribbed welts and edgings, providing neat, structured borders that contrast beautifully with the main fabric.

The pattern is inclusive in sizing, covering six sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81/86 cm (32/34 in) through to 132/137 cm (52/54 in), with actual garment measurements spanning 91 cm (36 in) to 142 cm (56 in). The full length of the gilet is 58 cm (22¾ in) for the three smaller sizes and 63 cm (24¾ in) for the three larger sizes, making it a comfortable hip-length garment suitable for layering.

Techniques Used

• Thumb method cast-on: The pattern specifies the thumb method for casting on, worked using the contrast shade yarn. This technique creates a neat, slightly elastic edge well suited to ribbing.
• Ribbing: The welts and edgings are worked in 2x2 rib (knit 2, purl 2 alternating), a classic technique that creates a stretchy, tidy border. Ribbing is worked on the smaller 3¼mm needles to keep the edges firm and snug.
• Stocking stitch (st-st): The main body of the gilet is worked entirely in stocking stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — using the larger 4mm needles. When worked in Sirdar Funky Fur, stocking stitch allows the fur fibres to bloom and create the characteristic fluffy texture.
• Armhole shaping: The pattern includes structured armhole shaping through decreasing, creating neat, fitted armhole openings without sleeves.
• Shoulder shaping: Shoulders are shaped by casting off stitches at the beginning of successive rows, a standard technique for creating a sloped shoulder seam.
• Seaming and finishing: Once the panels are complete, the gilet is assembled by joining seams. An open-ended zip fastener is sewn in along the front opening, a key finishing technique that requires careful hand-sewing to achieve a professional result.
• Tension swatch: The pattern strongly emphasises checking tension before beginning, which is especially important when working with novelty yarns like Funky Fur, where achieving the correct stitch count is essential to accurate sizing.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st-st): The primary stitch pattern used throughout the main body, worked over all stitches on 4mm needles. Row 1: knit; Row 2: purl. Repeated throughout.
• 2x2 Rib: Used for the welts and edgings. Row 1: *K2, P2, repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2. Row 2: P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * to end. This creates the characteristic stretchy ribbed texture at the borders