Woodley Vest in Cotton Classic Twist in Tahki Yarns - TAH-PATWOOVES-D - Downloadable PDF

Woodley Vest Knitting Pattern by Kirsten Hipsky – A Beginner-Friendly Top-Down Vest in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Twist

The Woodley Vest is a classic, relaxed-fitting knitted waistcoat designed by Kirsten Hipsky and published by Tahki Yarns as a downloadable PDF pattern. Rated Easy, this project is an excellent choice for beginner knitters who want to build confidence while creating a wearable, polished garment. The vest is worked in a clean, timeless silhouette that suits a wide range of body types, offered in six sizes from Small through 3X with finished bust measurements ranging from 40 to 61½ inches (101.5–156 cm) and lengths from approximately 26¾ to 28¼ inches (68–72 cm).

Construction and Techniques

The Woodley Vest is constructed using a top-down method, meaning knitting begins at the shoulders and progresses downward toward the hem. This approach allows knitters to try the garment on as they go, making fit adjustments straightforward and intuitive. The piece is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, which means knitters work back and forth in rows, creating a fabric with two distinct right and wrong sides. Working flat on a long circular needle is a common technique that accommodates the large stitch count of a garment without the needle tips getting in the way.

During construction, waste yarn is used to hold live stitches — specifically for separating the sleeve stitches from the body stitches at the underarm. This is a hallmark of top-down yoke or raglan-style construction, allowing the knitter to set sleeve stitches aside and return to them later. Stitch markers are used throughout to track key construction points such as raglan lines or section divisions.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Woodley Vest is Stockinette stitch, which is achieved by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side when working flat. Stockinette produces the smooth, classic V-shaped knit fabric familiar on most everyday knitwear. The gauge for this pattern is set at 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch, making accurate gauge swatching essential before casting on.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The recommended yarn is Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Twist, a DK weight yarn made from 100% mercerized cotton. Each hank contains 1.75 oz / 50 g and approximately 108 yards / 100 m. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in color #5044 Stormy Skies, a sophisticated neutral tone well-suited to the vest's understated design. Depending on size, the pattern calls for 8 to 13 hanks of this yarn. Mercerized cotton is known for its subtle sheen, durability, and breathability, making this vest a practical choice for warmer seasons or layering.

• Small: 8 hanks
• Medium: 9 hanks
• Large: 10 hanks
• XL: 11 hanks
• 2X: 12 hanks
• 3X: 13 hanks

Two size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles are required: one 40 inches / 100 cm long for the main body, and one 16 inches / 40 cm long for working the sleeve sections. Additional notions include stitch markers, waste yarn, and a yarn needle for finishing.

Who This Pattern Is For

The Woodley Vest is ideally suited to beginner knitters who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches and are ready to tackle their first garment construction. The top-down, worked-flat method eliminates the need for complex seaming while still producing a structured, finished result. The use of Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Twist