The Max Waistcoat was a design I had in mind for a long time before it finally made it onto my needles. And once it did, I shared the whole knitting journey the Purl &Jane Instagram Stories — you can still follow along in the Highlights if you’d like to see how it came together!

It was so lovely to take everyone along on the journey. In fact, that’s part of what inspired my #newdesignjourney series — sharing not just the finished piece, but the process itself. Because I’m a process knitter. I love the rhythm of knitting, the quiet focus, the joy of each soothing stitch.

The Max Waistcoat is knitted in pieces. The only seams (aside from the pocket linings) are straight side seams — which are an absolute joy to sew up with mattress stitch. If you haven’t tried mattress stitch before, I really recommend it. There’s something wonderfully satisfying about watching two pieces of knitting join so smoothly with just a simple stitch.

This design uses the same easy shaping as the Max Tank Top, which means the stitches do all the work. You don’t need to overthink it — just enjoy the process, and let the shape gently emerge to suit your body.

For my version, I used ByLaxtons Sheepsoft DK: the natural oatmeal shade (called Coverdale) for the main colour, and the deep navy (Kettlewell) for the button bands and edgings. I finished it off with black metal buttons. Now, I know there’s a ‘rule’ in some places about not mixing navy and black — but years ago I was told that this rule doesn’t apply in Paris. There, they confidently pair navy and black — and so whenever I wear my Max Waistcoat, I feel just a little bit Parisian. And I think this colour combination looks very chic!

Read all about the Max Waistcoat design journey on the Purl &Jane blog, click here for the first week, there are 6 blog posts in total, one for each week.

CONSTRUCTION
The back left front with pocket and right front with pocket are knitted flat from the bottom up in seperate pieces and joined together. The neck, button band edgings and armhole edges are picked up and knitted.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, pockets, decreasing at neck and armhole shapings, picking up stitches, cast off, joining seams. Optional but recommended to create a joy of joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
2(3:3:4:4) 100g hanks of ByLaxtons Sheepsoft DK in shade A and
1(1:2:2:2) 100g hank(s) of ByLaxtons Sheepsoft DK in shade B.
100% British Wool, 225m/246yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

NOTIONS
8 buttons.

GAUGE (tension)
21 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm/4ins square over stocking stitch. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain the correct gauge so do work a swatch before you start the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENT
I recommend a positive ease of 1-3”/2.5-8cm at the chest.

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Chest circumference
85, (92, 104, 116, 126, 138)cms
33½, (36¼, 41, 45½, 49½, 54½)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
56, (58, 62, 64, 67, 70)cms
22, (28¾, 24½, 25¼, 26½, 27½)ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides
and how to tutorials.