The 14 ply Picnic Vest is inspired by the 1980s with a modern twist. It is a cropped vest with dropped shoulders and a slightly puffy body, using a version of basketweave stitch (hence the picnic name, i.e. picnic basket). Basketweave stitch is very distinctive and looks woven, however this is just an optical illusion. The picnic vest knits up quickly in 14 ply. It took our pattern tester just two weeks to knit it in the size 14-16.

As the vest is oversized, the pattern comes in 5 sizes labeled as 10-12, 14-16, 18-20, 22-24, and 26. Exact measurements are inside the pattern.

The tension is 13 stitches and 17 rows to 10cm using stocking stitch, or 14 stitches and 18 rows to 10cm using the basketweave stitch as described in this pattern.

The picnic vest is built using a traditional seamed technique, i.e. each piece – back, fronts x 2, is knit separately from the bottom up, sewn together and then the collar, front bands and sleeve bands are knit in place.

Materials needed include:

• 7-12 balls of 14ply yarn, 50g each
• 1 pair of 6mm needles
• 1 pair of 7mm
• 1 6mm circular needle, 40cm long
• 3 stitch holders
• 7 buttons
• 1 wool needle for sewing up

Check out the matching Picnic Beanie!