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Il Gattopardo is a vest with a small band of leopard print at the hem. It sits fitted on the shoulders and has a slightly scooped neckline. It is open in front and can be worn open, with a few buttons fastened or entirely buttoned up. It is worked top down with European shoulders.

It can be worn over a tee with short or long sleeves, or on its own if the weather is not too cold.

The inspiration for il Gattopardo vest comes from the Dolce Gabbana exhibition in Paris during the spring 2025, with an entire collection inspired by il Gattopardo, the famous film by Luchino Visconti.

FIT

Il Gattopardo vest is designed to be worn with between 2.5 cm/1” and 15 cm/6” of positive ease. It can also be worn more fitted on the bust with between 2.5 cm/1” of negative ease and 5 cm/2” of positive ease, perhaps open or with only a few buttons done.
There is an option to work modest horizontal bust darts.

SIZES

Key measurements per size 1 2, 3, 4 {5, 6, 7}:

Neckline depth (excluding ribbing): 15.5 16.5, 17, 17 {17.5, 18.5, 18.5} cm/6.25 6.5, 6.75, 6.75 {7, 7.5, 7.5}”.

Bust circumference: 84 95, 106.5, 118 {129, 140.5, 152} cm/34 38, 42.5, 47.25 {52.25, 56.25, 60.75}”. There is an option for modest horizontal bust darts.

Armhole depth: 21 21.5, 22.5, 23.5 {25, 26, 27} cm/8.5 8.5, 9, 9.5 {10, 10.5, 10.75}”. There is an option to increase the armhole depth.

Height from neckline at shoulder level to hem (not including 3.5 cm/1.25” in length which can be added at bust level by optional bust darts): 49.5 51, 53.5, 54 {57.5, 61, 63} cm/19.75 20.5, 21.5, 21.5 {23, 24.5, 25.25}”.

The pattern has been tech edited and tested for all sizes except size 6 (kindly note that the test for size 7 is still ongoing).

YARN

These are just approximations, exact yarn usage will depend on the fiber content and ply of your yarn, exact gauge, modifications you might want to work and size of swatch. I suggest checking the testers versions for their yarn usage.

MC: approximately 625 700, 787, 890 {1000, 1130, 1320} m/784 765, 861, 973 {1093, 1236, 1444} yds of DK weight yarn.

CC: approximately 50 55, 60, 65 {70, 75, 80} m/55 61, 66, 71 {77, 82, 88} yds of DK weight yarn.

And for the embroidery of the colourwork: approximately 40 45, 50, 55 {60, 65, 70} m/44 50, 55, 60 {66, 71, 77} yds of lace yarn held double.

DIFFICULTY

Most of il Gattopardo is relatively easy to work but there are a few more tricky parts (like the colourwork band worked in the flat with 4 wrong side rows) which make it more adequate for slightly adventurous or seasoned knitters.

SPECIAL THANKS

Thank you so much for your help with testing dear Karen aknitster, Anne anneswolle, Elisabeth Fulham1, María gesuma05, Kerstin Kuehlkettchen, Mindy MindyKannon, Paule PauleR91, Ursula Sula66, Hanna WildwoodFables and Camille woollensun.

And thank you so much for the tech editing dear naoko strandsoflife.