1 36" Circular needle 1 16" circular needle or 10" double pointed needles, in a size that gives you the correct gauge. (I used size 6) 1 set of needles that are at least 1 size smaller than your working needles 1 appropriate size crochet hook (this is optional)
4 long pieces (about 12") of waste yarn or 4 stitch holders
4 buttons (about 1/2")
Size:
Finished vest is about 12" in length (inc ribbing) and 18" around.
Pattern:
This vest is knitted as one piece
The only seams you have to sew up are for the shoulders! This fit my 12 mo nephew a bit loose, but then again, he's kinda thin.
Note: so as not to confuse you, I'll call the side of the sweater that will be seen by everyone as the "outside" and the side towards to body, the "inside".
Bottom ribbing
Cast on 90 stitches.
Knit a 1x1 ribbing (which is a K1, P1 repeat 'til end), turn and continue
pattern for 4 times (total of 5 rows).
You should have ended on the front side. Now depending if it's for a boy or a girl will depend on which side the button hole will go on. (I personally don't think it's a big deal, babies DON'T care!!).
Next row for girls: K1, P1, YO, P2TOG, then continue in ribbing pattern
Next row for boys: Continue in ribbing pattern to the last 4 sts, then K1, YO, K2TOG, P1.
Continue pattern for another 3 rows.
You should now have the outside facing you.
Body
Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, then knit to the last 4 stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn
Row 2: K1, P1, K1, P1, then purl to the last 4 stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn
Repeat last two rows, 8 times. outside should be facing you.
Buttonhole rows
Next row for girls: K1, P1, YO, P2TOG, then then knit to the last 4 st, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn
Next row for boys: K1, P1, K1, P1, then knit to the last 4 st, K1, YO, K2TOG, P1, turn
Repeat row 2.
Repeat row 1 and row 2, 8 times, then do buttonhole rows.
Repeat row 1 and row 2, 8 times, then do buttonhole rows.
Repeat row 1. The inside should now be facing you.
Start V-neck and armhole shaping
Now we will have to divide up the stitches for the front right, left and back portions. K1, P1, K1, P1, then purl 15 st, BO next 6 st (this is for the left armhole), purl 40 st, BO the next 6 st (for the other armhole), purl to last 4 st, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn.
We'll work on the front right side first
Using the shorter circular needle:
Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, knit to the 5 st before BO st, SSK, K3, turn
Row 2: Put yarn in front, and slip (as if to purl) the first 3 stitches, P to last 4 st, K1, P1, K1, P1, turn. Repeat the last two rows, two more times.
Row 7: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, knit to end, turn
Row 8: Repeat row 2.
Repeat rows 7 and 8. (you should have 11 stitches)
Row 11: K1, P1, K1, P1, K to end, turn.
Row 12: Repeat row 2.
Repeat last 2 rows until you finish row 23 (ie: repeat rows 11 and 12 5 more times, then row 11 once)
Put the stitches on a stitch holder, or just thread a waste yarn through the live stitches, and tie the ends together. Leave a tail about 3 times the distance of the remaining st to use to sew up the shoulder seam [ I left about a tail of 7"]
Front right side is DONE!
For the left side
With outside facing you, attach yarn to the stitch right of the left armhole BO stitches.
Row 1: K3, K2tog, knit up to the last 7 stitches, SSK, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn
Row 2: P1, K1, P1, K1, purl to the end, turn
Row 3: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, K2tog, knit to last 7 st, SSK, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 twice
Row 8: Repeat row 2
Row 9: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, knit to last 7 st, SSK, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn
Repeat rows 8 and 9
Row 12: Repeat row 2
Row 13: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, knit to last 4 st, P1, K1, P1, K1, turn
Repeat rows 12 and 13 until you finish row 22 (ie: Repeat rows 12 and 13 4 times, then row 12 once)
Put the stitches on a stitch holder, or just thread a waste yarn through the live stitches, and knot it at the end. Leave a tail about 3 times the distance of the remaining st to use to sew up the shoulder seam [I left about a tail of 7"]
Front left side is now DONE!
Back and armhole shaping
OK, we're on the home stretch!
With outside facing you:
Row 1: K3, K2tog, knit up to the last 5 stitches, SSK, K3, turn
Row 2: With yarn in front, slip (as if to purl) the first 3 stitches, P to end, turn
Row 3: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, K2tog, knit to last 5 stitches, SSK, K3, turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 twice
Row 8: Repeat row 2
Row 9: Slip (as if to knit) 3 stitches, knit to end, turn
Repeat rows 8 and 9 until you are at row 19
Row 20: With yarn in front, slip (as if to purl) 3 st, K22, put the rest of the stitches on stitch holder, or thread waste yarn through the live stitches and knot the ends. Turn
Row 21: K3, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K3, put the rest of the stitches on stitch holder, or thread waste yarn through the live stitches and knot the ends. Turn
Row 22: K15, turn
Row 23: K15, turn
BO the 15 st.
Shoulder Seams
With the outside facing you, lay out the vest. Fold the fronts so the button band overlaps. (the vest should look the way it will when finished, except it's inside out)
Put hook through the back right side stitch (as you are facing the vest) then pull the corresponding front stitch through the front stitch. (see my feeble attempt at a picture above) Put this stitch on your work needle. Then put the 2nd front stitch on the hook, pull the 2nd back st through the front st, and put this stitch on your work needle (which should now have 2 stitches).
Continue until you have 7 st on your work needle.
At the neck, you'll have to "find" the stitch to pull the front stitches through.
There should be 4 st at the neck edge.
You'll have a total of 11 st on your work needle. (If you have a crochet hook slip the hook into the back stitch, then pull the corresponding stitch from the front. Slip this on your work needle. Continue to end of stitches at the end of the neckband.)
Now BO these 11 stitches with the tail from the front. You've finished one shoulder!
Do the same for the other shoulder, except reverse the order (work from shoulder to neckband)
Sew your buttons where they match the buttonholes, weave in any loose ends, and you're FINISHED!!