Meander vest is a tank top-like vest with a cable pattern suitable for many styles and situations. It is a simple garment yet the meander pattern and many details make it a very interesting piece.

The vest is also fun to knit. I believe that whoever might knit this vest will learn a new technique or two and thoroughly enjoy the process of making it.

I recommend a worsted weight (non-superwash, woollen spun if possible) or a combination of a lace and sportweight/DK yarn if you’d like to work with mohair. Please note that mohair can overpower the cable pattern due to its fuzz.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5), 6, 7, 8, 9

FINISHED BUST MEASUREMENTS
83 (94, 105, 114, 125), 134, 145, 154, 165 cm / 33, (37.25, 41.5, 45, 49.5), 53, 57.5, 61, 65.25 inch

FINISHED SHOULDER WIDTH
33 (34, 37, 38, 39), 40, 42, 43, 44 cm / 13 (13.5, 14.5, 15, 15.5), 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5 inch

TO FIT SHOULDER WIDTH OF
35.5, (36.5, 38, 39, 40.5), 41.5, 43, 44, 45.5 cm / 14 (14.25, 15, 15.25, 16), 16.25, 17, 17.25, 18 inch

LENGTH
50 (52, 55, 55, 56), 59, 61, 63, 67 cm / 19.75 (20.5, 21.75, 21.75, 22.25), 23.25, 24, 25, 26.5 inch for the back (adjustable)

POSITIVE EASE
8-10 cm/ 3-4 inch (for bust circumference)

Note: Please be aware that adjusting the length of the garment or the needle size you need to achieve the stated gauge will also affect the amount of yarn needed to finish the project.

The vest shown is a size 2 with 10 cm (approx. 4 inch) of positive ease.

YARN
You need 2 (2, 3, 3, 3), 3, 4, 4, 4 skeins of Gilliat from DeRerum Natura (185 m/50 g; woolen spun, French mérinos d’Arles and black Portuguese merino) or 438 (487, 550, 599, 666), 716, 779, 831, 905) m / 479 (532.5, 601.5, 655, 728.5), 783, 852, 909, 990 yds of a similar yarn.

The sample is knitted with Gilliat from DeRerum Natura in the colourway Poivre.

NEEDLES
4.5 mm / US 7 circular needles with a cable of at least 80 cm / 32 inch

Another circular needle with a narrower tip than the main needle (cable length is not important)

GAUGE
18 sts and 26 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch worked both flat and in the round after washing and blocking

NOTIONS
stitch markers (14)
one circular needle smaller than the one used for the vest
waste yarn/stitch holder
tapestry needle
blocking tools

HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT SIZE
To achieve the recommended fit for this vest I suggest selecting your size based on your shoulder measurement rather than your bust measurement. If this means you need to create more room for your bust you can work more increase rounds (start sooner) or the optional bust darts after joining to knit in the round.

To determine which bust darts to make, measure from your mid-shoulder down your back to your underbust line (where a bra would sit). Do the same on your front, going over the bust. If the front measurement is 0 – 5 cm / 0 – 2 inch longer than the back measurement, you probably don’t need bust darts. If the difference is 5 – 10 cm /2 – 4 inch choose the “small” bust darts, and if the difference is 10 – 15 cm / 4 – 6 inch or more, choose the “large” bust darts.