Gina Pullover Vest

OMG it's another Tits O'Toole sweater! Or maybe it's just my protruding bazooms, one or the other. Anyway I am modeling the new Plymouth Gina wool vest that I made from the new irresistable yarn I got from Three Black Sheep Shoppe in Signal Mountain.

Here's my pattern:

Gina Pullover Vest

5 skeins of  Plymouth Gina, 100% wool, for size 38-40 bust. Size 7, 24” circular needles. For other sizes see note at the end of pattern. Gauge: 5st to the inch.

A small amount of  contrasting light worsted weight yarn for edge and ribbing.

Note: Always slip the first stitch of every row. This makes a selvedge edge which facilitates picking up stitches and sewing the shoulder seams.

Skp = slip one stitch, knit two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over those stitches.

Kfb = knit into the front and back of one stitch, making two.

 

Center back chevron:

Using a crochet provisional cast on,

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqWfea8oOH8

 cast on 59 stitches.

Row 1, slip 1^st stitch, kfb, k26, skp, k26, kfb, k1.

Row 2, slip 1st stitch, knit to end

Repeat these two rows until desired length, usually one entire skein of Gina wool.

Square off top of chevron:

Attach new skein at edge of front and begin decreases as follows:

Row 1, slip 1^st stitch, k2tog, k26, skp, k26, k2tog, k1.

Row 2, slip 1st stitch, knit to end

Continue to decrease at each edge and in the center until only 5 stitches remain, bind off.

Square off bottom of chevron:

Unzip provisional crochet chain from one side of chevron and put stitches on needle, 29 stitches.

Begin decreases:

Row 1, slip 1^st stitch, k2tog, knit until last three stitches, k2tog, k1.

Row 2, slip 1st stitch, knit to end

Continue to decrease at each edge until three stitches remain, skp. Pull end through last stitch.

Repeat by unzipping crochet chain from the other side, 30 sts, and decrease as for first side. Set aside.

Center front chevron:

Make as for back chevron until one skein is used up. Do not square off top of chevron, but instead put live stitches on waste yarn.

Square off bottom of chevron as for back.

Back Side panel: From the front, attach new yarn and pick up one stitch in each of the selvedge edge stitches, (about 53st more or less).

Row 1 (back side) slip 1^st stitch, knit to end

Row 2 (front side) slip 1^st stitch, knit to end, then cast on about 16 stitches, enough to make 69sts total.

Repeat row 1 for 22 rows, or 11 ridges or 11 selvedge chains. It’s all the same amount.

Armhole: From the top of the shoulder, bind off 30 stitches for armhole.

Continue to knit in pattern to desired width, or 12 more rows, 6 ridges or 6 selvedge chains at underarm. Hint: measure from center of chevron, considering that as half the width of back. Put remaining 39st on waste yarn.

Repeat this side panel on the other side of the back chevron.

Front Side panel: From the front, attach new yarn and pick up one stitch in each of the selvedge edge stitches, (about 53st more or less).

Row 1 (back side) slip 1^st stitch, knit to end

Row 2 (front side) slip 1^st stitch, knit to end, then cast on 16  or more stitches, enough to make 69sts total. Continue as for back side panels, but keep the finished 39 stitches on needle, joining to the front side with three needle bind off.  Repeat for the other side of front panel, again joining it to the back panel with three needle bind off.

 

Shoulders: Sew shoulder seams front to back using mattress stitch.

 

Edge finishing: With contrasting yarn, pick up one stitch along bottom edge of vest and join in the round. Purl all around and then loosely cast off. For armhole, do as for hem, but you might like to pull the cable through one side, between stitches as you purl around and readjust to complete the edge. Or switch to dpns.

 

Neck ribbing: Beginning at the left edge of the back chevron, pick up stitches along shoulder cast on edge, slip live stitches from front onto needle, pick up second shoulder stitches, and then pick up back stitches, join in the round. Since the neckline is angled, decreases will be made at each angle change, twice on back and three times on front.

Round 1: Place marker at beginning of round. K1p1, all around until two stitches before marker. K2tog.

Round 2:  K1, k2tog. K1,p1 until two stitches before angle change on front, k2tog, k1, k2 tog. K1p1 to two stitches before center front stitch, k2tog, k1, k2tog. K1,p1 until two stitches before angle change on front, k2tog, k1, k2 tog. Continue in ribbing until desired length, about 1.5 inches. Bind off loosely.

 

For alternate sizes: The chevrons can be made with fewer or more stitches and that will determine the finished size. For example: Size 34, cast on 49 stitches, and knit fewer rows for the side panels. For size 44, cast on 69 stitches and knit a few more rows for the side panels. Measure your bust measurement and allow one inch of ease. Garter stitch is so expandable and adjustable.

 

Printable version here:

 Gina Pullover Vest