Design Story

The original pattern for this man's vest was printed in The Farmer's Home, November 1935, as a suggested Christmas gift for 'The Man of the Family'. The original is knitted in 4 ply wool on 3.25mm (US #4) needles. The dimensions were very small for today's man with, for example, only a 13 inch body length to armhole. Please be aware that I have altered the size of this garment to fit today's proportions. The pattern was also only available in one size. I have now sized the pattern to be available in seven sizes. The shoulder seams are over the back of the shoulder as was popular at the time, so the front is longer than the back. It is knitted in an extremely easy 2 row pattern, suitable for the beginner knitter, and importantly has also been tested by a beginner knitter, having been knitted by my husband Gavin.

Materials

13 50gm balls Jo Sharp 8ply DK pure wool (100% wool, 107yds/50gm)
shade 007 - Teal
Oddments of two other colours for neck and armbands

1 pair 3.25mm (US #4) needles
3.25mm (US #4) circular needle
1 pair 4mm (US #6) needles

Tension

22sts x 30 rows = 10cm (4 inch) using 4mm needles over stocking stitch
24st = 10cm (4 inch) using 4mm needle over stitch pattern.

Measurements

To fit size
inches	38	40	42	44	46	48	50
cm	97	102	106	112	117	122	127
Actual chest size
inches	40	44	46	48	50	52	54
cm	106	112	117	122	127	132	137
Finished length
inches	23.5	23.5	24.5	25.5	26.5	27	28
cm	60	60	62	65	67	68.5	71
Length to armhole
inches	14	14	15	16	17	17.5	18.5
cm	35.5	35.5	38	40.5	43	44.5	47

Pattern

Back

Cast on 108 (112, 120, 128, 136, 140, 144) sts using 3.25mm (US #4) needles.
Work in k.1, p.1 rib for a depth of 3 inches (7.5 cm).

Change to 4mm (US #6) needles and work in the following pattern:-

Row 1(RS): P1, *K2, P2 and repeat from * to last st, P1.
Row 2: Purl.

These two rows form pattern. Continue without shaping until work measures 14 (14, 15, 16, 17, 17.5, 18.5) inches (35.5, 35.5, 38, 40.5, 43, 44.5, 47 cm).

Shape Armholes

At the beginning of each of the next six rows cast off 4sts, then dec 1 st at each end of the next 7 alternate rows. (70, 74, 82, 90, 98, 102, 106 sts)

Maintaining pattern, work without shaping for 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8) inches (13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15, 17.5 cm).

Shoulder Shaping

Row 1: Pattern to within 4 (4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts of end,w&t.
Row 2: Pattern, to within 4 (4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts of end, w&t.
Row 3: Pattern to within 8 (8, 11, 13, 13, 13, 13) sts of end, w&t.
Row 4: Pattern to within 8 (8, 11, 13, 13, 13, 13) sts of end, w&t.
Row 5: Pattern 19 (21, 22, 24, 28, 28, 28) cast off next 16 (16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 24, sts., then work to within 20 sts of the end, w&t.
Row 6: Pattern back to the neck, turn.
Row 7: Cast off 10sts, patt to end.
Row 8: Leave sts on holder.
Row 9: Join the wool to neck edge of the opposite side and work to within 20 sts of the end, w&t.
Row 10: Work back to neck, turn.
Row 11: Cast off 10sts, patt to end, working wrap and stitch together where appropriate.
Row 12: Leave sts on holder.

Front

Work exactly the same way as for the back to within one inch (2.5cm) of the armholes.

On the next row pattern 54 (56, 60, 64, 68, 70, 72) sts., leave remaining stitches on a Stitch Holder.
Turn, and working on rem sts only pattern back to the side edge.
Work back again to the neck.
Next row: Work 2 together, patt to side edge.
Work three rows straight.
Now continue with the neck shaping, decreasing on the next and every following 4 th row till there are 18 decreases in all at this edge, but at the same time, when the side edge is the same depth as that of the back of the armhole, commence armhole shaping as for back. Continue with this edge straight till the front armhole edge is 6 rows longer than that of the back, then commence shoulder shaping.

Row 1: Working from the neck edge work to within 6 sts of the end of row, w&t.
Row 2: Work back to neck.
Row 3: Work to within 13 sts of the end of row, w&t.
Row 4: Work back to neck.
Row 5: Work to within 20 sts of the end of row, w&t.
Row 6: Work back to neck.
Row 7: Work across all stitches, working wrap and stitch together where appropriate.
Row 8: Leave sts on holder.
Join the wool to the front edge of the opposite side and complete this side to match the first.

Using three needle bind off technique (See useful information) and with RS together, join front and back shoulder seams.

Neck Band

Using 3.25mm (US #4) circular needle and main yarn, and commencing at left shoulder with RS facing, pick up and knit 64 (64, 64, 64, 64, 70, 76) sts down left front, 1 st from front centre, 64 (64, 64, 64, 64, 70, 76) sts up right front front and 42 (42, 42, 42, 42, 46, 50) sts across back. (171, 171, 171, 171, 171, 187, 203 sts).

Work in k.1, p.1 rib, working 2 sts together immediately before and after centre stitch.
This round sets pattern. After 3 rounds have been worked change colour, after a further 3 rounds change colour again. Cast off in rib.

Armholes

Holding the right side of the work towards you, and using 3.25mm (US #4) needles and main yarn, pick up and knit 92 (92, 92, 92, 92, 98, 106) sts around armhole.

Work nine rows in k.1, p.1 rib, changing colour after every 3 rows.
Cast off in rib. Complete the second armhole in the same way.

Finishing

Sew up side seams and underarms. Darn in all ends.
Press on the wrong side using a damp cloth.

This pattern is not to be used commercially or to be resold.  Copyright © Woolly Thinking 2008