Overdrive Vest by Lily Kate France

Overdrive Vest

Knitting
December 2023
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
19 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in stocking stitch
US 7 - 4.5 mm
609 - 972 yards (557 - 889 m)
to fit bust 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) [48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62] inches
English
This pattern is available for £7.50 GBP buy it now

A cosy layering piece for winter - deep armholes mean the Overdrive vest can be worn over just about anything. Shoulder shaping is incorporated into textured details for a clean look that is satisfying to knit and wear.

YARN: worsted weight yarn, approx 557 (581; 605; 656; 701) 737; 804; 846; 889 metres / 607 (634; 659; 715; 764) 803; 876; 922; 969 yards.

Sample shown in Lily Kate Makes AXIS Worsted (90% merino, 10% suri alpaca, 100m per 50g skein) in shade Quiescence. If using this yarn, you will need 6 (6; 7; 7; 8) 8; 9; 9; 9skeins.

GAUGE: 19 sts and 26 rows to 4 inches / 10 cm in stocking stitch, blocked. Suggested size 4.5 mm.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS:
4.5mm circular needles of length 24” / 60cm or 30” / 80cm, depending on size (for body)
4.5mm circular needle(s) of length 16” / 40cm for turtleneck
You will also need stitch markers, a tapestry needle, and scrap yarn.

SIZING: 1 (2; 3; 4; 5) 6; 7; 8; 9 detailed below. Choose the size corresponding to your bust measurement, and if between sizes, size down.

Sample shown is a size 2 worn on a 34” bust. Different sizes have differing amounts of ease, based on lots of feedback from test knitters over the years. If you are fairly busty but have a narrow back, size down.

To fit bust: 28-30 (32-34; 36-38; 40-42; 44-46) (48-50; 52-54; 56-58; 60-62) inches / 71-76 (81-86; 91-97; 102-107; 112-117) (122-127; 132-137; 142-147; 152-157) cm.

Cross back width: 18 (18; 19; 20; 20.5) (21; 22.5; 23; 23.5]) inches / 45 (46; 48; 50; 52) (53; 57; 58; 60) cm.

Construction: the Overdrive Vest is worked seamlessly from the top down. It begins with casting on across the upper back, working short rows to shape the back neck and shoulders, then working back and forth in rows down to the waist.

The smaller sizes work decreases and the larger sizes work increases; this is due to the differing proportions across the sizes, since shoulder measurements do not vary as much as bust and waist measurements.

Once shaping is complete, the back stitches are placed on scrap yarn and set aside. Stitches are then picked up along the right and left shoulders separately, and shoulder shaping is incorporated into a moss stitch texture detail. The fronts are joined at the neck to work down to the waist, following the same shaping as for the back. Upon reaching the waist, front and back pieces are joined to work in the round for the remainder of the body. Stitches are picked up around the neck for a moss stitch turtleneck.

The Overdrive Vest is #SizeInclusive to a bust of 62”.

@lilykatemakes #OverdriveVest