Waistcoats in Sirdar Caboodle - 7845- Downloadable PDF

Waistcoats in Sirdar Caboodle – Pattern 7845: Knitting Pattern Summary

Pattern 7845 from Sirdar is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two classic waistcoat designs worked in Sirdar Caboodle yarn. Rated as Easy Knit, this pattern is ideal for beginner and confident beginner knitters looking to create stylish, wearable layering pieces. The pattern includes a generous size range, covering bust sizes 81/86 cm (32/34 in) through to 132/137 cm (52/54 in), making it an inclusive choice for a wide range of figures.

Designs Included in This Pattern

Design 1: Waistcoat with Hood

The first design is a hooded waistcoat — a practical and on-trend garment that combines the neat, tailored silhouette of a traditional waistcoat with the added warmth and casual appeal of an attached hood. This makes it a versatile layering piece suitable for cooler days. The finished actual measurements range from 90 cm (35½ in) to 143 cm (56¼ in) across the chest, with a full length ranging from 60 cm (23¾ in) to 73 cm (28¾ in) depending on size.

This design is worked in Sirdar Caboodle shade 153 and requires 7 to 11 balls of 50g yarn depending on the size being made. It also uses 3 buttons as a fastening detail, adding a neat, structured finish to the front opening.

Design 2: V Neck Waistcoat

The second design is a classic V neck waistcoat — a timeless wardrobe staple that works beautifully as a smart-casual layer over shirts, blouses, or lightweight tops. The clean V-shaped neckline gives the garment an elegant, streamlined look. It shares the same size range and finished measurements as the hooded version, offering the same excellent fit across all six sizes.

This design is worked in Sirdar Caboodle shade 154 and requires 6 to 10 balls of 50g yarn depending on the size. A single button is used as a fastening detail at the front.

Techniques and Construction

Both waistcoats are constructed using straightforward flat knitting techniques, making them highly accessible for knitters who are new to garment making. The pieces are worked flat in separate sections — including the Back and Left Front (and corresponding Right Front) — and then seamed together. This classic construction method is a great introduction to garment knitting, as it allows each piece to be worked and checked individually before assembly.

Key construction techniques used in this pattern include:

• Thumb method cast on — used to begin each piece, this is a popular and beginner-friendly cast-on method that creates a neat, elastic edge well suited to garment knitting.
• Armhole shaping — worked by decreasing stitches at each end of alternate rows, creating a smooth, fitted armhole curve on both the back and front pieces.
• Stocking stitch throughout — both designs are worked entirely in stocking stitch, keeping the pattern simple and the fabric smooth and even.
• Decreasing — used at armholes and necklines to shape the garment, employing standard decrease methods such as knitting stitches together (k2tog).
• Button and buttonhole details — the front bands incorporate button fastenings, with 3 buttons on the hooded version and 1 button on the V neck version.

Stitches Used

The stitch repertoire in this pattern is deliberately kept simple, making it an excellent project for those building their knitting confidence:

• Knit stitch (k) — the most fundamental knitting stitch, used throughout.
• Purl stitch (p) — worked on wrong side rows to create the smooth stocking stitch fabric.
• Stocking stitch (st-st) — formed by alternating knit rows on the