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Cairdeas (pronounced ‘car-geous’ - a bit like “gorgeous” with a “c”) is the Irish word for ‘friendship’. This streamlined vest is designed to be worn in many different sizes, and is both roomy enough to wear over a shirt, and sleek enough to wear on its own. The beautiful join of the underarm trim represents the bonds of friendship.

About this pattern:
The vest is knit from the top down, starting at the back neck and shoulders. The shoulders are shaped with short rows and then the back yoke is knit flat to the underarms. The front pieces are picked up from the shoulders and shaped with short rows before knitting each side to the underarms. The shoulder seams are designed to sit at the back of the shoulder to create a graceful neckline, so the front yoke pieces are slightly longer than the back. The armhole edges are knit at the same time as the front and back yokes.
The body is then joined at the underarms and the vest is knit in one piece to the end. Finally, the button band is picked up and knit in a 1x1 rib.

Skills Used:
Cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, German short rows, picking up stitches.

Sizes:
XS (S, M, L, XL) {2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL}
To fit bust:
73 (84, 94, 104, 115) {125, 135, 145, 155} cm
28.75 (33, 37, 41, 45.25) {49.25, 53.25, 57, 61}”

Finished bust circumference:
87.5 (96, 107, 116.5, 127.5) {136.5, 147, 157, 167.5} cm; 34.5 (37.75, 42.25, 45.75, 50.25) {53.75, 57.75, 61.75, 66}”

The pattern is designed to have 10 - 15 cm/4 - 6” positive ease. Model in coral version (that’s me!) is shown wearing size S with 15 cm; 6” positive ease. Model in blue version is shown wearing size M with 15.5 cm; 6.25” positive ease.

Yarn:
Coral version
Aran Woollen Mills - Supersoft Merino, 100% merino wool (225 m/246 yd per 100g),
3 (3, 3, 3, 4) {4, 4, 4, 4} skeins in shade ‘Coral’.

Blue version
Drops - Merino Extra Fine, 100% merino wool (105 m/115 yd per 50g),
6 (6, 6, 7, 7) {8, 8, 9, 9} skeins in shade ‘Spray Blue’.

OR
524 (578, 626, 670, 711) {762, 810, 846, 891} m; 537 (632, 685, 732, 777) {833, 885, 925, 947} yd.
Amounts will vary if you decide to lengthen or shorten the body, or if yarn is substituted. If substituting yarn, a light worsted weight is recommended.

Suggested Needles:
4.5 mm or needle size needed to obtain the correct gauge.

Gauge:
19 sts x 26 rows = 10 cm in st st, after blocking.

Notions:
4 stitch markers
Bodkin or tapestry needle
4 (4, 4, 4, 4) {3, 3, 3, 3} buttons, 2.5cm/1” diameter.

Thanks
Thanks to Nicola Whilton, technical editor, Robin Keenan, photographer, and Caitlín O’Mahony, model, photographer (and best friend).