Feel free to use the discount code WARD8 for 20% off this PDF until Friday 6/26/26 at midnight EST!

Ward 8 is a spin on the buttoned, collegiate crew neck sweaters that I grew up with. With some simple tweaks, this traditional silhouette becomes a slightly rustic, softly feminine, and more modern layering piece! I love how yarn choice, proportion, and just a few details can completely change the personality of a knit.

My favorite detail on Ward 8 is the hem. I adore how the button band and lace meet, emphasizing the delicate texture perfectly. The higher end of the band sits above the longer sides of the fronts, allowing the scalloped shape of the lace edges to stand out. I added a simple placket on either side of the button band and used tiny contrast buttons to also draw the eye towards the center of the body.

I paired this center detail with lots of stockinette and decided against adding sleeves. I love a lightweight vest, as it works all year round - you’ve got an easy top in summer and a great layer in winter.

The fit shown is a little boxy and short, as I like the gap between the hems to sit near my waist. Of course, Ward 8 works when worn with different amounts of ease and at different lengths, and notes are in the pattern if you prefer a more personal fit.

My marled yarn is beautiful and adds depth to the simple fabric, while staying tonal enough to allow the pattern and the placket to show up. The fabric itself is light and airy at this gauge, with a slightly rustic feel, again moving my vest away from the library and towards an earthy, more delicate vibe.

Blend Fine is harder to come by these days, but Ridge Fingering is very similar and works beautifully for this design (see the tests!). Both bases are dyed in a variety of subtle marls and solid shades that will show off the pattern well, and the Ewetopia website is stocked up on Ridge Fingering right now.

Ward 8 is worked in one piece to armholes, then separated into Fronts and Back and worked in three pieces to shoulders, which get seamed together. Button bands are picked up along the open front edges and completed before the collar is picked up around the neckline. Armhole ribbings are picked up last and worked in the round.

There are lots of notes in the pattern on how and where you can customize the fit on this one, and all that stockinette makes modifications easy!

Sizes
33.75(37.25,40.5,43.75,47.25,50.5)(53.75,57.25,60.5,63.75)” 85.75(94.5,102.75,111.25,120,128.25)(136.5,145.5,153.75,162)cm

Sizes are based on bust circumference, with the vest worn closed. All measurements are based on final, blocked fabric. Shown worn with about 4”/10 cm positive ease, based on actual bust.

Yardage by Size
600(650,700,800,850,950)(1000,1050,1100,1200)yds 550(595,640,730,780,870)(915,960,1005,1100)m

Yarn Thoughts
A round fingering or sport weight yarn works well for this design. The soft, airy fabric is achieved by working the fingering yarn on larger needles, so a wool or wool blend that allows the lace detail to show up and will bloom and hold shape when blocked at this gauge is best.

Either of the two Ewetopia yarns noted above knit up beautifully for this design. Both the subtle marls and the solid colors show off the details of this vest very well.

The Ridge Fingering colorway similar to the one shown is Gooseberry Heather.

Yardage estimates include 10% buffer, and are based on test knitting feedback. Note that gauge, yarn choice, and modifications may affect yardage needed.