This pattern will be offered for 50% off until September 30, 2026. Use the code FIRSTINDIE at checkout.

ABOUT
The Indie Vest 2026 is inspired by all those glorious indie-dyed yarns, and specifically by my friend Hope’s selection for Indie Untangled 2026. Sure there are socks for all those fingering weight skeins and shawls and hats for DK skeins–but what if you want a wearable garment that highlights a gorgeous yarn or two? Enter the Indie Vest 2026- a piece that lets the yarn sing, isn’t too taxing to make, and works up quickly enough to have it ready for that trip to the yarn festival you decided to attend at the last minute! Slightly oversized, slightly drop-shouldered for easy arm movement, and meant to be layered for the Goldilocks amount of warmth.

The Column Stitch pattern is technically a form of Brioche knitting, but don’t be intimidated! It’s truly not difficult to knit and is soothing and rhythmic. I think it’s the perfect introduction to Brioche.

The fabric is squishy and cozy, with nice wide stitches produced by knitting the columns into the stitch below in the color being worked. Each row is worked in a single color; no stranded color work.

While the pattern calls for some intermediate techniques, each is clearly explained and video tutorial links are provided. Examples of the techniques include: German Twisted cast on, Simple Stretchy bind off, Three Needle bind off, and Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy bind off. Yes, all are used at some point due to the widened stitch produced by the knit one below pattern, and the exposed Three Needle bind off provides a lovely detail at the shoulders.

The vest is worked bottom-up, to keep the Vs pointing in the “right” direction.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9
Finished chest circumference: 33.5 (37.75, 42.25, 46.5, 50.75) 53.75, 58, 62.5, 66.75 in | 85 (96, 107.5, 118, 129) 136.5, 147.5, 159, 169.5 cm
Designed to fit with approximately 4-7 in | 10-18 cm of positive ease. Sample shown in size 3 with 4 in | 10 cm positive ease at full bust.

YARN & ESTIMATED YARDAGE
Yarn: Joy DK from HopeMade Yarn Co, 80% Extrafine Superwash Merino (19 micron) / 10% Yak / 10% Silk (246yds/100g | 225m/100g)
Dark teal and gray sample done in Moody Blue (MC) and Wyeth’s Winter (CC)
Yards: 690 (780, 880, 1000, 1170) 1280, 1400, 1580, 1790 estimated total yds
MC: 370 (415, 475, 540, 630) 690, 755, 855, 965 yds
CC: 320 (365, 405, 460, 540) 590, 645, 725, 825 yds
Meters: 630 (715, 805, 915, 1070) 1170, 1280, 1445, 1635 estimated total m
MC: 340 (380, 435, 495, 575) 630, 690, 780, 880 m
CC: 295 (335, 370, 420, 495) 540, 590, 665, 755 m

For your gauge swatch, I recommend casting on 24 sts using the German Twisted Cast On (see notes) or another very stretchy cast on, as this pattern produces very wide stitches and a typical cast on will cinch in the edge of your swatch. With your cast on color (MC) knit one row, then purl one row. Join your CC and begin working the column stitch pattern for 48 rows, maintaining a selvedge stitch on each side edge that is typical stockinette and not worked into the stitch below. Bind off loosely using Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off or the Simple Stretchy Bind Off to avoid cinching in the edge. When measuring the swatch for row gauge, it will be easier to count the elongated stitches in a column and then multiply that by 2, as each visible stitch is actually two rows of work.

2-Color Column Stitch Flat (with selvedge edges):
Work the following 4 row repeat for 48 rows:
Row 1 (RS, CC): k1, k1b, rep to last st, k1. Do not turn work. Slide needle so that all sts are positioned toward the tip to be worked, the CC working yarn is at the far left, and the color MC working yarn is at the right.
Row 2 (RS, MC): k1, k1, k1b, repeat to last two sts, k2. Turn work.
Row 3 (WS, CC): p1, p1b, p1, rep to end. Do not turn work. Slide needle so that all sts are positioned toward the tip to be worked, the CC working yarn is at the far left, and the MC working yarn is at the right.
Row 4 (WS, MC): p2, p1b, p1, rep to last two sts, p2. Turn work.

This pattern will be offered for 50% off until September 30, 2026. Use the code FIRSTINDIE at checkout.

Happy knitting!
Kara

YouTube/Instagram: NurseKaraKnits
email: support@nursekaraknits.com