Golden Age Vest in Sirdar No.1 - 10668 - Downloadable PDF

Golden Age Vest in Sirdar No.1 – Pattern 10668: A Classic Double Knitting Sleeveless Design

The Golden Age Vest (Design No. 10668) by Sirdar is a timeless, elegant sleeveless vest — sometimes called a slipover — worked in Sirdar No.1 Double Knitting yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this pattern produces a polished, structured garment with a flattering silhouette suitable for a wide range of sizes, from a 32-inch to a 54-inch chest. It is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters ready to cast on.

About the Garment

The Golden Age Vest is a classic wardrobe staple — a sleeveless, close-fitting knitted vest designed to be worn over blouses, shirts, or lightweight tops. Its clean lines and refined finish make it equally suited to casual and smart-casual occasions. The generous size range — S through XXXL, covering chest measurements of 81 cm to 137 cm (32–54 inches) — ensures an inclusive fit for a wide variety of body types.

• Finished Width: Ranges from 94 cm (37") for size S up to 146 cm (57½") for size XXXL
• Full Length: Ranges from 64 cm (25¼") for size S to 74 cm (29¼") for size XXXL

The vest is knitted flat in separate pieces — typically a front and a back — and then seamed together, a construction method well suited to intermediate knitters who are comfortable with shaping, seaming, and finishing techniques.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is specifically designed for Sirdar No.1 Double Knitting, a beloved yarn in the Sirdar range that has been a favourite among hand knitters for many years. Sirdar No.1 DK is described as a double knitting crepe yarn with a gentle sheen and soft, silky feel, making it particularly well suited to warmer-weather garments like vests and slipovers. It is available in a coordinating feminine palette, and this pattern calls for shade 242 Champagne — a warm, golden neutral that perfectly suits the vintage-inspired name of the design.

• Yarn: Sirdar No.1 DK, 100g balls, shade 242 Champagne
• Yarn Weight: Double Knitting (DK)
• Balls Required: 4 balls (size S) up to 7 balls (sizes XXL and XXXL)
• Needles: 1 pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles for the main body
• Needles: 1 pair of 3¼mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles for ribbing and edging
• Notions: Stitch holders

Sirdar No.1 DK is a 100g ball, and the number of balls required scales sensibly with size, ranging from 4 to 7 balls — making this a relatively economical project in terms of yarn quantity. The yarn's crepe construction gives knitted fabric excellent stitch definition, meaning textural stitch patterns and neat edges are well showcased.

Tension

The recommended tension for this pattern is 28 stitches over 10 cm / 4 inches using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is especially important for a fitted garment like a vest, where even small discrepancies in gauge can significantly affect the finished width and length. Knitters are strongly encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly.

Techniques and Skills Used

Rated as intermediate in difficulty, the Golden Age Vest is ideal for knitters who have moved beyond beginner projects and are comfortable with a range of standard knitting techniques. The pattern involves:

• Flat knitting — working back and forth in rows on straight needles to create the front and back panels separately
• Ribbing — typically used at the lower hem, armhole edges, and neckline to create neat, elasticated borders; worked on the smaller 3¼mm needles