Samarra by Rosa Pomar

Samarra

Knitting
December 2025
Bulky (7 wpi) ?
16 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in Loop stitch
US 9 - 5.5 mm
892 - 1391 yards (816 - 1272 m)
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8)
English French Portuguese
This pattern is available for €6.50 EUR
buy it now or visit pattern website

This oversized vest design was inspired by Portuguese samarras and Romanian sarică, traditional sheepskin outerwear worn by shepherds as protection against the weather. The pattern uses Terno yarn in a loop stitch - and thanks to this yarn’s 3-strand texture, the fabric transforms into a faux sheepskin effect after washing. It is also fully reversible, with a textured knit “wrong side” that gives the vest a different look when worn inside out - with a cozy “shearling” lining. The vest features deep armholes so that it can be layered over coats and oversized sweaters throughout winter.

KITS FOR THIS PATTERN ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

Recommended ease: at least 16 (smaller sizes) to 13 cm (larger sizes) | 6.3 (smaller sizes) to 5.12 larger sizes) in of positive ease at the bust. IMPORTANT: smaller sizes were designed with more ease at the bust.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference: 89,4 (98,8, 108,8, 118,8) (126,3, 138,8, 148,8, 158,8) cm | 35.2 (38.9, 42.8, 46.8) (49.7, 54.7, 58.6, 62.6) in

Shoulder to shoulder: 38,1 (39,3, 41,8, 44,3) (45,6, 46,8, 48,1, 49,3) cm | 35.2 (38.9, 42.8, 46.8) (49.7, 54.7, 58.6, 62.5) in

Armhole depth: 32,5 (33,5, 34,2, 36,4) (37,1, 37,8, 39,2, 40,7) cm | 12.8 (13.2, 13.5, 14.3) (14.6, 14.9, 15.4, 16) in

Length from neckline to back hem: 51,1 (52,1, 52,6, 53,6) (54,1, 54,6, 54,6, 56,1) cm | 20.1 (20.5, 20.7, 21.1) (21.3, 21:5, 21.5, 22.1) in

YARN

5 (5, 6, 6) (6, 7, 7, 7) skeins of Rosa Pomar TERNO (100% Portuguese wool, 190m | 207yd, 100g).

GAUGE

16 sts x 28 rows to 10 cm | 4in in loop stitch, after washing and blocking.

TECHNIQUES

German Short Rows
Loop stitch worked in PURL sts (video tutorial included)