Woman's Long Line Waistcoat in Sirdar Freya - 7157 - Downloadable PDF

Woman's Long Line Waistcoat in Sirdar Freya – Pattern 7157

This knitting pattern from Sirdar (pattern number 7157) provides instructions for a woman's long line waistcoat worked in Sirdar Freya chunky yarn. The design is a substantial, fashion-forward piece featuring a relaxed, elongated silhouette with decorative cable panels and a classic button front opening. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible for knitters of all locations.

Sizing and Fit

One of the standout features of this pattern is its inclusive size range, covering six sizes from a 32/34 inch to a 52/54 inch bust (81/86 cm to 132/137 cm). This makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of knitters. The actual finished measurements range from approximately 90 cm (35½ in) to 141 cm (55½ in) around the body, providing a comfortable, relaxed fit with positive ease. The full length of the waistcoat ranges from 74 cm (29¼ in) to 87 cm (34¼ in) depending on the size chosen, giving the garment its signature long-line, statement silhouette.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a sleeveless long-line waistcoat designed for women. The length and structure of the piece make it a versatile layering garment, suitable for wearing over chunky knitwear in cooler months or as a statement layer over lighter tops. The waistcoat features a button band front opening, requiring 7 to 9 buttons depending on the size being made (7 buttons for the three smallest sizes, 8 for the next two, and 9 for the largest size).

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting – The waistcoat features prominent cable panels worked using a cable needle. These cables form a key decorative element of the design and are central to the garment's visual texture.
• Shaping – Standard knitting shaping techniques including increasing and decreasing are used to create the fitted silhouette, armhole shaping, and shoulder construction.
• Wrap 1 – A short-row wrapping technique is used, where a stitch is slipped onto the right-hand needle, the yarn is taken to the opposite side of the work, and the stitch is slipped back. This technique helps create smooth, seamless shaping.
• M1 (Make 1) – Stitches are increased by picking up the loop between the last and next stitch and knitting into the back of it, creating a neat, virtually invisible increase.
• Stitch holder usage – Stitches are placed on holders during construction, a common technique for managing live stitches at shoulders and necklines while other sections are completed.
• Casting on and casting off – Including the thumb cast-on method for starting sections of the garment.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – The main body fabric is worked in classic stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side), creating a smooth, even fabric.
• Cable panel stitches – Two specific cable crossings are used throughout the pattern:
  • C10B – Slip the next 5 stitches to the back on a cable needle, knit 5, then knit 5 from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable cross.
  C10F – Slip the next 5 stitches to the front on a cable needle, knit 5, then knit 5 from the cable needle. This creates a left-leaning cable cross.
• Knit and purl stitches – Used throughout in combination to form both the stocking stitch background and the cable panel structures.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Sirdar Freya yarn in shade 860 (product code F092). Sirdar Freya is a chunky weight yarn sold in 50g balls. The quantity required