See My Vest - Chunky

This vest is designed to be super easy, and super quick to knit, making it a great project for beginner
garment knitters. With its relaxed and comfortable fit you will find yourself reaching for this vest often,
and its simplicity makes it a fantastic wardrobe staple.

The pattern includes detailed instructions with some handy extra tips for newbies. Starting at the back
shoulders, it is knit top-down on circular needles, which is a great method to check the fit as you go, and
is very easy to add or subtract length. There are also some handy hints for picking up stitches for the
neck and armbands, which you can apply any time you need to pick stitches up in future!

I hope you enjoy knitting your own See My Vest!

Emily

1 See My Vest - Chunky V1 | Designed by Emily Bolduan © Maker Maker 2023

 MATERIALS
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

To Fit Bust: 71-76 (81-86, 91-96, 101-106, 111-117, 122-127, 132-137, 142-147, 152-158)cm
28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) inches

Finished Bust: 74 (86, 96, 106, 115, 125, 138, 147, 157) cm
29 (34, 38, 41.5, 45.5, 49, 54.5, 58, 62) inches
Designed to fit with between 0-3cm / 0-1.5” of positive ease depending on preferred fit

Yarn: 14ply / Chunky weight yarn.

We used Spinning Yarns Weaving Tales’ Donegal Chunky (125m/100g), in col 6541 Caillin

Quantity: Approximately 245 (291, 318, 335, 360, 400, 452, 481, 514) metres

If adding length to body, you will need approximately 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29)
extra metres of yarn for every 2.5cm of length added.

Needles: Body: 7.00mm 60-100cm circular needles depending on pattern size.

Edging: 6.00mm 40cm (optional), 60cm, and 80-100cm circular needles.
If you don’t mind the Magic Loop Technique, you can just use the longer needles.
Adjust needle size as necessary to match pattern gauge.

Gauge: 12.5 sts x 18.5 rows to 10cm in stocking stitch on larger needles

Extras: 1-2 stitch markers; a stitch holder, spare circular needles or scrap yarn for holding
stitches

NOTES
Construction
This vest is worked seamlessly from the top down. It starts by casting on stitches for the upper back, and
working flat down to the underarm. You will then put those stitches on hold, and pick up separate
stitches for the front shoulders to then shape the neckline. Next you will continue the front down to
match the back, and then join in the round to work the body. Once the body is finished, stitches will be
picked up for the neckline and armholes to work the ribbed edges in the round.

Stocking Stitch
The body of this vest is worked in Stocking Stitch, which is worked as follows when mentioned in the
pattern:

Stocking Stitch Knit Flat Stocking Stitch Knit in the round

R1 (RS): Knit to end. R1 (RS): Knit to end.

R2 (WS): Purl to end.

2 See My Vest - Chunky V1 | Designed by Emily Bolduan © Maker Maker 2023

 PATTERN
Left Front (as worn)
Back Using 7mm needles, with right side of fabric
facing you and starting 8 (9, 8, 9, 10, 9, 10, 9,
Using 7mm needles, cast on 40 (42, 42, 44, 46, 10) sts away from the left-most edge, pick up
46, 48, 48, 50) sts using the long-tail cast on or and knit 8 (9, 8, 9, 10, 9, 10, 9, 10) sts along the
your preferred method. cast on edge of the Back.
Work flat in Stocking Stitch until work measures Work flat in Stocking Stitch until work measures
24 (22.5, 21.5, 20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 22.5, 22.5, 22.5) 5.5 (5.5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5)cm from
cm from cast on edge. shoulder edge.

We will now Increase 1 stitch at each edge to We will now shape the Left Front Neck.
shape the armholes as follows:
R1 (RS): K1, m1l, k to end. (1 stitch increased)
R1 (RS): K1, m1l, k to last stitch, m1r, k1. (2
stitches increased) R2 (WS): Purl to end.
R2 (WS): Purl to end. Work R1 and R2 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) more
times.
Work R1 and R2 0 (2, 5, 7, 7, 6, 3, 3, 3) more
times. 15 (16, 15, 16, 17, 17, 18, 17, 18) stitches for
Left Front.
Sizes XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL only:
Cut yarn, but leave the Left Front stitches on
R3 (RS): K1, m1l, k to last stitch, m1r, k1. (2 hold on your current needle to be worked again
stitches increased) soon. But if these stitches feel like they are in
the way, feel free to pop them on a holder.
R4 (WS): P1, m1rp, p to last stitch, m1lp, p1. (2
stitches increased)

Work R3 and R4 - (-, -, -, 0, 2, 5, 6, 7) more

times.

42 (48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 80, 84, 90) Back stitches Right Front (as worn)
after shaping.
Using your 7mm needles and with right side of
Cut yarn and place all back stitches on hold by fabric facing you, pick up and knit 8 (9, 8, 9, 10,
transferring them to a long piece of scrap yarn, 9, 10, 9, 10) sts along the cast on edge of the
or a spare circular needle. Back, starting from the right-most stitch.

Work flat in Stocking Stitch until work measures

5.5 (5.5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5)cm from
shoulder edge.

3 See My Vest - Chunky V1 | Designed by Emily Bolduan © Maker Maker 2023

 We will now shape the Right Front Neck R4 (WS): P1, m1rp, p to last stitch, m1lp, p1. (2
stitches increased)
R1 (RS): Knit to last st, m1r, k1. (1 stitch
increased) Work R3 and R4 - (-, -, -, 0, 2, 5, 6, 7) more
times.
R2 (WS): Purl to end.
42 (48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 80, 84, 90) Front stitches
Work R1 and R2 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) more after shaping.
times.

15 (16, 15, 16, 17, 17, 18, 17, 18) stitches for
Right Front. Body
It is time to join the fronts and backs together,
which means we will now be working the body
We will now join both of the fronts together to in the round.
complete our neckline.
If your Back stitches are held on scrap yarn,
Next (RS): Knit across Right Front stitches, then transfer them onto your left working needle
using backward loop cast on or your when instructed to knit across them. Otherwise,
preferred method, cast on 10 (10, 12, if they’re on a spare needle you can work from it
12, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14) stitches, now knit directly. But either way, make sure your work is
across all held Left Front stitches. facing right side up, and the body isn’t twisted
when you join!
Next (WS): Purl to end.
Next (RS): [Knit across the Front stitches, then
40 (42, 42, 44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50) total Front using backward loop cast on, cast on 4
stitches. (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8) sts for the left
underarm, knit across all Back stitches,
Work flat in Stocking Stitch until work measures cast on 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) sts for the
24 (22.5, 21.5, 20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 22.5, 22.5, right underarm, place a stitch marker
22.5)cm from shoulder edge. for new beginning of round, then cast
on 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) more sts. Join
sts for working in the round and knit to
the end. (2 rounds worked)
We will now increase 1 stitch at each edge to
shape the armholes as follows: 92 (108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 172, 184, 196)
total body stitches.
R1 (RS): K1, m1l, k to last stitch, m1r, k1. (2
stitches increased) Work in the round in Stocking Stitch until work
measures 16 (18.5, 18.5, 17, 16.5, 16.5, 16, 16,
R2 (WS): Purl to end. 16)cm from underarm cast on, or until 5 (5, 5,
5.5, 5.5, 5.5, 6, 6, 6)cm less than desired length.
Work R1 and R2 0 (2, 5, 7, 7, 6, 3, 3, 3) more
times. This is a great place to try your garment on to
check the fit! Just slip roughly half of the body
Sizes XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL only: stitches onto a spare, long circular needle or
piece of scrap yarn, and try it on to see how it’s
R3 (RS): K1, m1l, k to last stitch, m1r, k1. (2 going. It’s a great chance to tailor the length to fit
stitches increased) your own body!

4 See My Vest - Chunky V1 | Designed by Emily Bolduan © Maker Maker 2023

 Neckband
You can now choose between a standard
ribbed hem, or a split hem. Just follow the It is now time to pick up stitches to work the
relevant instructions below. Neckband. Stitches will be picked up at a rate of
1:1 for horizontal edges along the Back Neck, as
well as those cast on at the Front Neck. And at a
rate of 3:4 for the vertical edges of the straight
Hem - Standard Hem side and shaping sections of the Front Neck.
This means you will aim to pick up 3sts, then
Change to smaller needles. skip the 4th along those sections. These stitch
counts are just a guide, and don’t have to be
R1: [k1, p1] repeat to end. perfect.

Repeat this row until ribbing measures 5 (5, 5, We have some handy links at the end of this
5.5, 5.5, 5.5, 6, 6, 6)cm, or desired length. pattern!

Bind off all stitches using a stretchy bind off. Using smaller needles, with right side facing you
Our preferred bind off method for edges is a and beginning at the start of the Back Neck, aim
Decrease Bind Off like this one to pick up and knit the following:
https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/a-st 24 (24, 26, 26, 26, 28, 28, 30, 30) sts along Back
retchier-bind-off/ But you can use whatever Neck Cast on,
bind off you like most! 8 (8, 8, 9, 9, 8, 9, 9, 9) sts along straight edge of
Left Front Neck,
11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12) sts along Left
Neck Shaping,
10 (10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14) sts along
Hem - Split Hem Centre Front Cast On,
11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12) sts along Right
Change to smaller needles. Neck Shaping,
8 (8, 8, 9, 9, 8, 9, 9, 9) sts along straight edge of
Setup (RS): ssk, [p1, k1] across next 44 (52, 58, Left Front Neck.
64, 70, 76, 84, 90, 96) sts, turn. (1 stitch Place a marker and join for working in the
decreased) round.

45 (53, 59, 65, 71, 77, 85, 91, 97) stitches for You should have approximately 70-72 (70-72,
the front half of the Split Hem. You will now 74-76, 76-78, 76-78, 78-80, 80-82, 84-86,
work these active stitches flat, leaving the rest 84-86) sts total.
on hold on your other needle for later.
Don’t stress too much if your stitches aren’t a
R1 (WS): [p1, k1] repeat to last stitch, p1. perfect match, as you can make a sneaky
decrease or two on the next round if needed. Just
R2 (RS): [k1, p1] repeat to last stitch, k1. make sure you have an even number of stitches
for the ribbing!
Repeat these two rows until ribbing measures 5
(5, 5, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5, 6, 6, 6)cm, or desired length. R1: [k1, p1] repeat to end.

Bind off, then repeat for the remaining body Repeat this row until ribbing measures 2.5 (2.5,
stitches, starting with the Setup row. 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3.5, 3.5)cm, or desired length.

Bind off all stitches using a stretchy bind off.

5 See My Vest - Chunky V1 | Designed by Emily Bolduan © Maker Maker 2023

 Armbands ABBREVIATIONS
The Armbands will be worked like the Neckband If there are any stitches or abbreviations that
using the same ratio of 1:1 for horizontal edges, you are unsure of, just pop online and search
and 3:4 for vertical edges. And remember, these for them! There are plenty of helpful videos and
stitch counts are just a guide. tutorials out there.

Using smaller needles, with right side facing you k Knit

and beginning at the start of the Underarm Cast
On stitches, aim to pick up and knit the m1l Make 1 left
following:
4 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8) sts along the Underarm m1r Make 1 right
Cast on,
2 (5, 9, 12, 14, 15, 15, 17, 18) sts along the m1lp Make 1 left purl
Armhole Shaping,
33 (32, 30, 29, 29, 30, 32, 32, 32) sts along m1rp Make 1 right purl
straight edge of Armhole to the shoulder
“seam”, p Purl
33 (32, 30, 29, 29, 30, 32, 32, 32) sts along
straight edge of Armhole, R1 Row 1
2 (5, 9, 12, 14, 15, 15, 17, 18) sts along the
Armhole Shaping, RS Right side
Place a marker and join for working in the
round. ssk Slip slip knit, a common decrease

You should have approximately 72-74 (78-80, sts Stitches

82-84, 86-88, 90-92, 94-96, 98-100, 104-106,
106-108) sts total. WS Wrong side

Don’t stress too much if your stitches aren’t a [...] Repeat section in brackets to end
perfect match, as you can make a sneaky
decrease or two on the next round as needed. … (...) Distinguishes measurements or
Just make sure you have an even number of instructions for different sizes
stitches for the ribbing!

R1: [k1, p1] repeat to end.

Repeat this row until ribbing measures 2.5 (2.5,

3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3.5, 3.5)cm, or desired length.

Bind off all stitches using a stretchy bind off and

repeat for the second Armband.

Now all you need to do is weave in any loose

threads, and give your new vest a good block!
(We have a blog post about all things Blocking
on our website - it’s easy peasy!)

6 See My Vest - Chunky V1 | Designed by Emily Bolduan © Maker Maker 2023

 FINISHED MEASUREMENTS VIDEO LINKS
Here are some video links that you may find
helpful for this pattern.

Decrease Bind Off

Our preferred bind off method for hems and
necklines is a Decrease Bind Off like this one
https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/a-st
retchier-bind-off/
It’s a nice mix of stretchy, yet structured, whilst
being super easy to do, but you can use
whatever bind off you like most!

Picking up stitches
We love Purl Soho’s video for picking up
stitches. Perfect for picking up your neckband
and armbands!

Here is their one for Vertical Stitches

https://youtu.be/p9XQxUAvtMM

As well as Horizontal stitches

https://youtu.be/_zIaUlG6zMg
A Bust circumference
74 (86, 96, 106, 115, 125, 138, 147, 157)cm

B Total Body length

45 (46, 45, 43, 42.5, 43.5, 44.5, 44.5,
44.5)cm
Our website is makermakerstore.com
C Armhole Depth
21.5 (20, 18.5, 17.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19, And you can find our other free patterns on Ravelry!
19)cm https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/maker-ma
ker-store/patterns
D Lower Body Length
23.5 (26, 26.5, 25.5, 25, 25, 25, 25.5, Happy making!
25.5)cm

E Shoulder Width
35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 41, 41, 43, 44, 45.5)cm

F Back Neck Width

14 (16, 16.5, 16.5, 16.5, 18, 18, 18.5,
18.5)cm

7 See My Vest - Chunky V1 | Designed by Emily Bolduan © Maker Maker 2023