Ortisei Waistcoat in Adriafil Aria - Downloadable PDF

Ortisei Waistcoat in Adriafil Aria – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

The Ortisei Waistcoat is a beautifully structured, sleeveless knitted garment designed for a single size (size 42). This free downloadable PDF pattern is published by Adriafil Yarns and uses their Aria yarn — a DK-weight yarn — worked in a striking aquamarine green (shade no. 86). The design combines classic ribbing borders with elegant purl stitch panels and a bold, traditional cable detail, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with intermediate techniques and want to add a polished, textured waistcoat to their wardrobe.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a waistcoat — a sleeveless, fitted knitted vest intended to be worn as a layering piece or standalone garment. The pattern is sized for a size 42 and is constructed in separate pieces (back and front panels) that are seamed together. The waistcoat features shaped side seams with both decreases and increases to create a tailored silhouette, along with structured ribbed borders at the hem.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Adriafil Aria in aquamarine green, shade no. 86 — approximately 200 g required
• Knitting needles: size no. 8 (metric)
• Cable needle: size no. 8
• Tapestry needle for seaming and finishing

Adriafil Aria is a DK-weight yarn, and its drape and stitch definition make it well suited to the combination of textured ribbing and cable work featured in this pattern. The aquamarine green colourway gives the finished waistcoat a fresh, contemporary feel.

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension for this pattern is 17 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm × 10 cm, measured in purl stitch using size no. 8 knitting needles. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring the waistcoat fits accurately to size 42, so knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning.

Techniques Used

• Casting on — the back begins with 83 stitches cast on
• Shaping by decreasing — rightwise decreases worked every 2 rows (18 times) and every 4 rows (4 times) to shape the sides
• Shaping by increasing — leftwise increases worked every 4 rows to build back the silhouette once the waist shaping is complete
• Cable crossing — a 12-stitch cable panel worked over a 25-row repeat, featuring a left-cross cable on row 9 (6 stitches held on a cable needle to the front, 6 knitted, then the held stitches worked in knit)
• Seaming — pieces are joined using a tapestry needle

Stitches Used

• Elastic rib (start) — a transitional rib used for the first 4 rows of the border, easing the fabric into the main ribbing
• K1/P1 rib stitch — worked over 14 rows (approximately 5.5 cm) to form the hem border; alternating knit and purl stitches create a stretchy, neat edge
• Purl stitch (purled stitch) — the main body fabric of the waistcoat; working the right side in purl creates a smooth, reverse-stockinette texture that serves as an attractive backdrop to the cable panel
• Cable stitch — worked over 12 stitches across a 25-row repeat:
  • Rows 1, 3, 5, 7 — knit stitch on right side
  • Row 2 and all subsequent even rows — purl stitch on wrong side
  • Row 9 — cable cross: 6 stitches placed on cable needle and held to the front,