The Flex Vest is designed for comfort and adaptability. It’s boxy in shape with built-in stretch all over the back, making it easy to fit all kinds of body shapes. With fun cables in the front and an easy basketweave pattern in the back, the Flex Vest is an enjoyable and relatively quick garment to knit.

Pair the Flex Vest with jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt or button-up top in cooler weather, or wear it on its own and flex those guns! This vest has become a staple in my wardrobe (and in my Mom’s, too); it’s perfect for adding an extra little bit of cozy warmth to any outfit.

Construction Method

This vest is knit bottom-up, in the round, until you reach the armholes. Armhole stitches and six stitches at the base of the V-neck are bound off in the middle of the round, and the remainder of the vest is knit flat, starting with the front shoulder panels and then the back.

A three-needle bind-off is used to join the front and back shoulders. Finally, stitches are picked up along the neckline and both armholes and finished with a 2 x 2 rib stitch.

Skills Required

This pattern is rated INTERMEDIATE. It is not hard at all, but some might find it tricky if they are new to cables or charts. Written instructions are provided for those who don’t like charts.

Yarn

Pattern uses Ample Aran by The Wooly Cauldron. You may use any yarn of similar weight, yardage and fibre content which allows you to get the recommended gauge.

Ample Aran specs:

• 100% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool yarn
• Aran weight (2-ply)
• 100g (4oz) = 166m (182yd)

Required yardage estimates
Size 1: 3 skeins (285 gr / 475 m / 520 yds)
Size 2: 4 skeins (325 g / 540 m / 590 yds)
Size 3: 4 skeins (375 g / 625 m / 680 yds)
Size 4: 5 skeins (420 g / 700 m / 765 yds)
Size 5: 5 skeins (460 g / 765 m / 840 yds)
Size 6: 6 skeins (540 g / 895 m / 980 yds)
Size 7: 6 skeins (555 g / 920 m / 1010 yds)
Size 8: 6 skeins (595 g / 985 m / 1080 yds)
These are estimates only and do not account for any modifications.

Sizing & Fit

Bust circumference of finished vest (cm): 71, 81, 91, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142.
Bust circumference of finished vest (in): 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56.

There is no built-in ease in this pattern. I recommend selecting a size which will give you between 0 - 10 cm (0 - 4 in) of negative ease for a fitted look. If you prefer a looser fit, size up.

Because of the stretchiness of the basketweave stitch on the back, the ease is quite flexible and aggressive blocking will give you extra room. You may wish to increase the length of the vest to accommodate for any length lost by aggressive blocking.