Meet the Rùsgach Vest — a shearling-style vest with toggle-and-loop closures to carry you through the autumn.

“Rùsgach” is a Gaelic word meaning “fleecy” or “fleece-like”, so it’s the perfect name for this shearling-style fabric made with a wool/alpaca boucle. Knit with bulky yarn on large needles, this vest is quick to knit and the perfect layering piece for chilly autumn days. Inspired by fleece gilets from outdoor brands like Barbour and Boden, it’s a stylish way to keep warm while staying active. The attached i-cord edge and toggle-and-loop closures offer an opportunity for a fun pop of color or a sleek neutral detail.

About the Pattern
 
Skill Level: Intermediate
 
Yarn
MC: Juliette Pécaut Designs Bulky Boucle (70% Highland wool, 30% superfine alpaca; Bulky weight; 87yd/100g). 4 (5, 5, 6, 6), 7 (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins.
330 (371, 410, 442, 494), 535 (582, 624, 674, 717) yd.
302 (339, 375, 404, 452), 489 (532, 570, 616, 655) m.
CC1 (Contrast i-cord): Bulky yarn with similar gauge to MC (or 3 strands of worsted weight held together).
73 (75, 79, 81, 86), 91 (93, 97,100, 105) yd.
67(68, 72, 75, 79), 83 (85, 89, 92, 96) m.
CC2 (Pocket lining): Bulky yarn with similar gauge to MC (or 3 strands of worsted weight held together). 72yd / 65 m.

Needles
US 13 (9mm) circular needles, or size to obtain gauge
 
Notions
Yarn needle
Scrap yarn or extra cables to hold stitches
Row counter (recommended as the boucle yarn makes it difficult to read stitches and rows)
40mm (1.5”) toggle buttons (4)
 
Gauge
9 sts and 12 rounds = 4”/10cm in Stockinette stitch, blocked
 
Finished Measurements
Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5), 6 (7, 8, 9, 10)
38 (42, 46, 50, 54), 58.5 (62, 66.5, 70, 74.5)” finished full chest measurement; garment is meant to be worn with 6–10” of positive ease
95 (105, 115, 125, 135), 146.5 (155, 166.5, 175, 186.5)cm finished full chest measurement; garment is meant to be worn with 15–25cm of positive ease
Sample shown is Size 3 on 39”/98cm bust
 
Pattern Notes
This vest is knit top down in boucle yarn with the purl side out to imitate fleece. The i-cord edge is worked as an applied i-cord and the pockets are picked up and worked inside the vest. The toggle closures are added afterwards and can be swapped for i-cord ties or other fasteners.
 
Techniques
Applied I-cord Edge: https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/blogs/resources/applied...