Inspired by the colors of the Painted Desert in Arizona and my love of the desert southwest, the Painted Desert Vest is worked in eight colors of Jamieson & Smith 2-ply jumper weight yarn. It is knit in the round, using only two colors per round, from the bottom up. Steek stitches are added for the neck and armholes. After reinforcing and cutting open the steeks, the shoulders are seamed, and the neckband and armbands are added.

Complete steeking instructions are included and there is no waist or bust shaping. The unisex pattern is written for eight sizes with finished chest circumferences ranging from 33” to 59”. The vest is meant to be worn with 1-4” of positive ease.

The vest in the first photograph is modeled in Size 2 with 4” of positive ease.

Finished measurements
Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
To fit bust approx 30-32 (34-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48, 50-52, 54-56, 58) inches
To be worn with approx 1-4 inches/ of positive ease.
Finished Garment circumference after blocking
33 (37, 41, 44, 48, 53, 56, 59) inches

Yarn Requirements:
Fingering weight 100% wool yarn. Superwash treated wool is not recommended.

Jamieson & Smith 2-ply jumper weight, 125 yards/25g ball
Painted Desert
C1: 80 (Brown) 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) x 25g balls
C2: FC12 Mix (Peat) 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) x 25g balls
C3: 29 Mix (Teal) 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) x 25g balls
C4: 71 Green (Aqua) 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) x 25g balls
C5: 125 (Copper) 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) x 25g balls
C6: 28 (Dk Gold) 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) x 25g balls
C7: 66 (Med Gold) 1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) x 25g balls
C8: 96 (Pale Yellow) 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) x 25g balls

Yardage:
C1: 180 (200, 220, 275, 300, 325, 335, 350) yds
C2: 120 (125, 140, 190, 210, 225, 235, 250) yds
C3: 160 (180, 200, 275, 305, 325, 350, 370) yds
C4: 110 (120, 130, 180, 200, 210, 225, 235) yds
C5: 35 (35, 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 70) yds
C6: 105 (120, 125, 175, 200, 210, 225, 235) yds
C7: 125 (140, 155, 225, 240, 260, 280, 300) yds
C8: 60 (70, 75, 110, 120, 125, 135, 145) yds

Needles:
US Size 2.5 (3mm) for ribbing 24-40” circular & 16” circular for armholes & neck
US Size 3 (3.25mm) for body 24-40” circular
(Or Size required to get gauge)

Pattern notes
The garment is worked in the traditional Fair Isle stranded style, using only two colors per round. It is knit in the round from the bottom up to the neck and armholes. Steek stitches are added to allow continuation of knitting in the round. After reinforcing and cutting open the steeks, the shoulders are seamed with a 3-needle bind-off and the neckband and armbands are added.

I’d like to thank my friends Janet Valle, Terri Geiger, Jann Davis, Jessica Mitchell, Clelles Newcomb, Karen Mutchie, and Lee Ann Brenchley for taking a chance on me and my design. They beautifully test knit the vest in their own colors, in a variety of sizes, and offered many helpful pattern suggestions. Thank you!

This pattern was thoughtfully Tech Edited by Heather Storta. Thanks Heather!