Megan Vest and Beret Hat in Ella Rae Superwash Classic - E18-07 - Downloadable PDF

Megan Vest and Beret Hat in Ella Rae Superwash Classic – Pattern Summary

The Megan pattern by Ella Rae is a beautifully coordinated knitting set comprising a colour-block vest (waistcoat) and a beret hat, designed for older children and teens. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is worked in Ella Rae Superwash Classic yarn at a worsted weight, making it an ideal project for confident beginner and intermediate knitters looking to explore colourwork and texture in a practical, wearable design.

About the Megan Vest (Waistcoat)

The vest is a sleeveless, fitted garment worked in a striking three-colour combination using shades from the Ella Rae Superwash Classic range. The design features a textured body worked in Reverse Stockinette stitch (Rev St st), which gives the fabric a distinctive purl-side-out appearance, adding visual interest and a relaxed, modern feel to the finished piece. The lower edge is finished with a neat ribbed hem, providing structure and a comfortable fit.

Sizing

• 11–12 years: 80cm bust
• 13–14 years: 85cm bust
• 15–16 years: 90cm bust

Construction

The vest is worked in separate Back and Front pieces, both beginning with a ribbed cast-on using 4mm (US 6) needles before switching to 4.5mm (US 7) needles for the main body. The Front mirrors the Back up to a designated point, after which neckline and armhole shaping diverge. The colour sequence is maintained consistently throughout both pieces, creating a cohesive, polished look. A circular needle set in 4mm (US 6) is also used, likely for finishing neckbands or armhole edgings.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st) – used as the basis for tension/gauge measurement
• Reverse Stockinette stitch (Rev St st) – the primary stitch pattern for the vest body, creating a textured, bumpy surface
• Ribbing – worked at the lower hem for elasticity and a tidy finish
• k2tog (knit two stitches together) – a standard right-leaning decrease used in shaping
• p2tog (purl two stitches together) – a decrease worked on purl rows for shaping
• Increasing and decreasing – used throughout for armhole and neckline shaping
• Colour sequence knitting – three shades are introduced in sequence across the garment for a colour-block effect

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension is 20 stitches and 24 rows over 10cm / 4 inches in Stockinette stitch using 4.5mm needles. Achieving this gauge is essential for the finished vest to match the stated bust measurements.

Materials for the Megan Vest

Yarn – Ella Rae Superwash Classic

Ella Rae Superwash Classic is a superwash-treated wool yarn, meaning it is machine washable – a highly practical quality for children's and teen garments. Its worsted weight gives excellent stitch definition, making the Reverse Stockinette texture and colour transitions crisp and clear.

• Shade #32 (Colour A): 200g (sizes 11–12 and 13–14) / 300g (size 15–16)
• Shade #11 (Colour B): 100g across all sizes
• Shade #20 (Colour C): 100g across all sizes

Needles