This vest is for an experienced knitter.  While not extremely difficult, you will need to be able to manage the pattern while working decreases.  However, you have from the bottom to the armhole edge to get comfortable with the pattern stitches.  Shown to the right, the model is knitted of 2 ply worsed weight Border Leicester wool, dyed lavendar gray by combining purple and dark green Rit dyes.

I entered this very vest in the Alpena County Fair for 2001 and it won Grand Champion with a State Fair Award.  I guess the judges liked it!

24”- 29” circular needle size 8
approx. 500 yards worsted weight yarn (or yarn/needle combo needed for gauge)
4 sts per inch

Model measures 42” around and 22” long.  Length can easily be altered by knitting more rows before underarm
split.  Width can be altered by adding/subtracting sts, but 8 must be added/subtracted to keep in pattern.

This vest is knitted all in one piece.  Work back and forth using the circular needle.  (A straight needle could be
used, but would be heavy and awkward with so many stitches on it.)

Pattern:
1)  k2, p2, k1, p2; *k3, p2, k1, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2
2)  p3, k1, p1, k1; *p5, k1, p1, k1; rep from * to last 3 sts, p3
3)  k1; *p1, k5, p1, k1; rep from * to end
4)  p1; *k2, p3, k2, p1; rep from * to end

Cast on 175 sts.  Set up pattern as follows placing markers where / occur:

1)  k1, p1, k1, p1 (non-roll edge) / work 41 sts in pattern / p2 (false seam) / work 81 sts in pattern / p2 (false
seam) / work 41 sts in pattern / p1, k1, p1, k1 (non-roll edge).

2)  p1, k1, p1, k1 (non-roll edge) / work 41 sts in pattern / k2 (false seam) / work 81 sts in pattern / k2 (false
seam) / work 41 sts in pattern / k1, p1, k1, p1 (non-roll edge).

Continue as above until vest measures 9” or desired length to underarm opening.  (Underarm to shoulder seam
will be 13”.)

Split underarm at the false seams, keeping 1 st on the front and 1 st on the back.  Work the 4 ribbing sts for
non-roll edge the same as at the front edges.  Work one side of front first, putting back and other side sts onto
holders.

Decrease for fronts (46 sts to start):
Keeping always in pattern, dec 1 st at armhole edge every other row until 38sts remain.  (For a neat appearance,
work the dec between the non-roll edge and the pattern.)  Work to 12” in total length.  The dec every 4th row
along the front edge until 24 sts remain.  (Again, work the dec between the non-roll edge and the pattern.)
Continue to a total length of 22”, or desired length to shoulder.  Work the other front the same way.

Decrease for back (83 sts to start):
Keeping always in pattern, dec 1 sts each edge every other row until 67 sts remain.  (For a neat appearance,
work the dec between the non-roll edge and the pattern.)  Continue working in pattern until 22” or desired
length.

Shoulder seams:
Bind off and sew shoulders together.  Work in all loose ends.  Wash and block.