Amanda's Secret Wrap/Vest

Amanda's Secret Wrap/Vest by Yellow Ribbon Knits

What is Being Made

Amanda's Secret Wrap/Vest is a knitted wrap or vest garment designed as an easy-level project suitable for beginner knitters. This piece is constructed using a modular strip method, where multiple panels are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the final garment. The design features a chevron pattern that creates visual interest through color work and stitch manipulation.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to beginners while creating a sophisticated finished piece. The garment is worked in strips, a construction method that breaks the project into manageable sections—specifically 2 A strips and 2 B strips—which are later joined using the Mattress Stitch seaming technique. This approach allows knitters to work on smaller pieces before assembling them into the complete wrap or vest.

The pattern incorporates garter stitch sections alongside stockinette stitch, creating textural variation. Color changes are introduced throughout the design, allowing knitters to work with multiple yarn colors to achieve the chevron visual effect. The use of different colored yarns (referred to as MC for main color and CC1, CC2, and CC3 for contrasting colors) adds depth and pattern definition to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) - the fundamental stitch forming stockinette sections
• Purl (p) - used in combination with knit stitches
• Slip stitch (s) - for edge definition and pattern transitions
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) - a left-leaning decrease stitch used in shaping
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) - a right-leaning decrease stitch for shaping the garment
• Make 1 left (M1L) - an increase stitch creating new stitches
• Make 1 right (M1R) - an increase stitch creating new stitches
• Long tail cast-on (LTCO) - the cast-on method used to begin the strips

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Amanda's Secret Wrap/Vest is designed to be worked with DK or worsted weight yarn, offering flexibility in yarn selection. The pattern recommends The Fiberists Audubon Worsted, a 100% superwash merino yarn available in 4-ounce skeins containing 210 yards (192 meters).

The color palette consists of four distinct yarn colors:

• Main Color (MC): SiO (Smokey Quartz) - 2 hanks required
• Contrasting Color 1 (CC1): Be Al (Aquamarine) - 3 hanks required
• Contrasting Color 2 (CC2): SiO (Citrine) - 2 hanks required
• Contrasting Color 3 (CC3): Na Ca(Si Al)O₃(SO₄) (Hauyne) - 3 hanks required

The pattern calls for 5.5mm needles or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The recommended gauge is 7 stitches and 11 rows equals 2 inches (5 centimeters) in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions of the wrap or vest.

Skill Requirements

While classified as a beginner-level project, this pattern requires knitters to be comfortable with the Mattress Stitch seaming technique and the Long Tail Cast-on method. These are foundational skills that allow beginners to progress beyond basic flat knitting into garment construction. The combination of garter and stockinette stitches, along with basic increases and decreases, provides an excellent learning opportunity for developing well-rounded knitting skills.

Pattern designed by Yellow Ribbon Knits, 2018. Available as a downloadable PDF format for immediate access and printing.