I’ve fallen hard for handknit vests. They’re in constant rotation in my wardrobe now – layered over T-shirts, under jean jackets, and over button-up shirts at the office. They’re the perfect answer when sleeves feel like too much but you still want to wear a knit that feels polished and intentional: one that’s fun and playful but refined enough to wear anywhere. Something that lets you be on your vest behavior.

This vest starts with a picot cast on that alternates between larger and smaller picots and then transitions into a mini mock cable rib. Those elements felt like they deserved the spotlight – especially in this inaugural issue exploring cast ons – so the main fabric uses a simpler stitch pattern that wouldn’t compete.

While I was sketching and swatching, I came across a dotted stockinette swatch I had made years ago. I loved the idea of using that stitch pattern for textured stripes, but it still felt like something was missing. Then I thought, What if I added beads in place of the purl stitches?

That question changed everything. Once I swatched it, I couldn’t help but smile. The shimmer and the way the beads felt under my fingers – that’s exactly what the vest needed. Playful, tactile, and a little unexpected.

To tie it all together, a single mock cable continues from the hem up each side of the body as a decorative faux seam that breaks up the main, striped fabric; the choice is yours between purling or beading to achieve the texture! You also have the option to knit the body with or without waist shaping. Once the body is complete, you’ll work the back and each front separately before joining everything together with three-needle bind offs and mock cable rib edgings. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s delightfully simple. Knit along with me! The vest is yet to bead . . .

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 {11, 12, 13, 14}

Finished measurements
A: Yoke width (after armhole edging): 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 12.5, 13.75) 13.75, 13.75, 13.75, 15.25, 15.25 {15.25, 15.25, 16.5, 16.5} inches / 31 (31, 31, 31, 34.5) 34.5, 34.5, 34.5, 38, 38 {38, 38, 41.5, 41.5} cm

B: Shoulder width: 3.25 (3.25, 3.25, 3.25, 4) 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 {4, 4, 4.75, 4.75} inches / 8 (8, 8, 8, 10) 10, 10, 10, 10, 10 {10, 10, 12, 12} cm

C: Neck width: 6 (6, 6, 6, 5.75) 5.75, 5.75, 5.75, 7.25, 7.25 {7.25, 7.25, 7, 7} inches / 15 (15, 15, 15, 14.5) 14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 18, 18 {18, 18, 17.5, 17.5} cm

D. Bust and high-hip circumference: 31 (33.75, 36.5, 39.25, 42) 44.75, 47.75, 50.5, 53.25, 56 {58.75, 61.5, 64.25, 67.25} inches / 77.5 (84.5, 91.5, 98.5, 105) 112, 119, 126, 133, 140 {147, 154, 161, 168} cm

E: Waist circumference (body with waist shaping only): 26.75 (29.5, 32.25, 35.25, 38) 40.75, 43.5, 46.25, 49, 51.75 {54.5, 57.5, 60.25, 63} inches / 67 (74, 81, 88, 95) 101.5, 108.5, 115.5, 122.5, 129.5 {136.5, 143.5, 150.5, 157.5} cm

F: Armhole depth (after edging): 7 (7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 8) 8, 8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.75 {9, 9.25, 9.5, 9.75} inches / 17.5 (18, 18.5, 19, 19.5) 20.5, 21, 21, 21.5, 22 {22.5, 23.5, 24, 24.5} cm

Total length from inner shoulder to hem: 21.25 (21.5, 21.75, 22, 22.25) 22.25, 22.5, 22.5, 22.75, 23 {23.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24} inches / 53 (53.5, 54, 54.5, 55) 56, 56.5, 56.5, 57, 57.5 {58, 59, 59.5, 60} cm

Body length (after armhole edging): 13.25 inches (33 cm)

Yarn
Miss Babs Yowza (100% superwash Merino wool; 560 yards (512 m) per 8-ounce (225 g) regular skein or 200 yards (182 m) per 2.8 ounce (80 g) mini skein) (sample uses Lilacs)

• 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 {2, 3, 3, 3} regular skeins
• 586 (636, 691, 728, 782) 837, 900, 947, 1007, 1046 {1106, 1166, 1228, 1295} yards / 536 (582, 632, 666, 715) 766, 823, 866, 921, 956 {1011, 1066, 1123, 1184} m of DK weight yarn

Gauge
23 stitches and 33 rows/rounds to 4 inches (10 cm) over stockinette stitch worked both flat and in the round using main fabric needles (blocked)