Lana in Mode at Rowan Alpaca Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Lana Vest by Quail Studio

What is Being Made

The Lana vest is a sleeveless knitted garment designed by Quail Studio for Mode at Rowan. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a fitted vest available in three sizes to fit chest measurements of 28-38cm, 40-50cm, and 52-62cm (or 71-97cm, 102-127cm, and 132-157cm respectively). The finished garment features actual chest measurements of 150.5cm, 180cm, and 209.5cm across the three size options, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several fundamental techniques appropriate for beginner-level knitters. The construction begins with a cast-on using longer circular needles, establishing the foundation for the back panel. The pattern incorporates moss stitch as the primary stitch pattern, which creates a textured, reversible fabric with visual interest. The moss stitch section forms the initial ribbed edge before transitioning into the main body pattern. Shaping is achieved through strategic cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows to form the shoulder seams and create the back neck opening. The pattern also includes neckband construction using shorter circular needles, a standard technique for finishing the neckline of sleeveless garments.

Stitches Used

• Moss Stitch: An alternating knit and purl stitch pattern (K1, P1 repeat) that creates a bumpy, textured fabric. The pattern establishes moss stitch in the initial rows and maintains it for the first 3cm of the garment before transitioning to the main body pattern.
• Knit Stitch (K): The fundamental knit stitch used throughout the main body of the vest
• Purl Stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern variation
• Cast-off Stitch: Used to bind off stitches when shaping shoulders and the back neck opening

Materials Required

The Lana vest is designed to be knitted using Alpaca Cotton yarn in a DK (double knitting) weight. The pattern requires 10, 12, or 15 balls of 25-gram yarn depending on the chosen size, with the photographed sample shown in Feather Grey 013. Knitting is worked on 3.75mm (US 5) circular needles—specifically, a longer circular needle measuring 100cm in length for the main body construction and a shorter 40cm circular needle for the neckband finishing. Circular needles are used throughout the pattern, allowing for seamless or in-the-round knitting techniques and providing flexibility in working flat when needed.

Pattern Structure

The pattern provides detailed row-by-row instructions beginning with the back panel. Construction starts with casting on 173, 207, or 241 stitches depending on size. The first row establishes a right-side (RS) facing moss stitch pattern with alternating knit and purl stitches. After working moss stitch for 3cm, the pattern transitions to the main body, maintaining moss stitch borders (3 stitches on each side) while working stockinette stitch in the center. The back panel is worked to a length of 55, 61, or 66cm from the cast-on edge before shaping begins. Shoulder shaping is created by casting off 7, 9, or 11 stitches at the beginning of rows, a technique that removes stitches to gradually reduce the width and form the sloped shoulder line characteristic of fitted vests.