Esther Vest (Women's)

The Esther Vest is a beautifully textured button-front vest with a slightly cropped shape and a neat, tailored finish.

It’s worked from the top down, beginning with the back yoke. The shoulders are then worked from stitches picked up along the back before the fronts and back are joined into the body.

The body is worked back and forth in the textured pattern. Ribbed edges are added around the armholes, followed by the front button bands and the neckband.

The textured stitch pattern gives this vest its distinctive look, so knitting a proper swatch before beginning is especially important.

Yarn notes

This pattern is designed to be knitted with two yarns held together.

Main yarn

Choose a structured DK or 8 ply wool yarn with approximately:

• 120–130 metres per 50 g

• Good stitch definition

• Enough grip to hold the textured pattern

• A firm rather than overly drapey finish

A traditional pure wool or wool-rich 8 ply will work particularly well.

Companion yarn

Hold the main yarn together with either:

• A fine laceweight wool yarn with approximately 300 metres per 50 g, or

• A fine laceweight alpaca yarn with approximately 400 metres per 50 g

The fine second strand adds warmth, texture and depth to the fabric without necessarily creating a fluffy mohair finish.

The wool companion yarn will generally create a slightly firmer and more defined fabric. The alpaca option will give the vest a softer feel and a little more drape.

Whichever combination you choose, you need to achieve the pattern gauge of 20 stitches over 10 cm in the textured pattern.

Sizing

The Esther Vest is designed with approximately 6 cm of positive ease.

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

Suggested body measurements

The sizes are designed to fit the following bust or widest upper-body measurements:

• XXS: 75–80 cm

• XS: 80–85 cm

• S: 85–90 cm

• M: 90–95 cm

• L: 95–100 cm

• XL: 100–110 cm

• 2XL: 110–120 cm

• 3XL: 120–130 cm

• 4XL: 130–140 cm

• 5XL: 140–150 cm

Measure around your bust, stomach or the widest part of your upper body and choose the size that gives you approximately 6 cm of positive ease.

Finished measurements

Bust circumference

XXS: 88 cm
XS: 92 cm
S: 96 cm
M: 102 cm
L: 106 cm
XL: 116 cm
2XL: 126 cm
3XL: 136 cm
4XL: 146 cm
5XL: 156 cm

Finished length

Measured at the centre back, excluding the neck edge:

XXS: 48 cm
XS: 52 cm
S: 54 cm
M: 56 cm
L: 58 cm
XL: 59 cm
2XL: 60 cm
3XL: 63 cm
4XL: 66 cm
5XL: 70 cm

Yarn requirements

You will need the full amount listed for both the main yarn and the companion yarn.

Main DK or 8 ply wool

Using a yarn with approximately 125 metres per 50 g:

• XXS: approximately 500–625 m

• XS: approximately 625 m

• S: approximately 625 m

• M: approximately 750 m

• L: approximately 750 m

• XL: approximately 750–875 m

• 2XL: approximately 875 m

• 3XL: approximately 875 m

• 4XL: approximately 1,000 m

• 5XL: approximately 1,000 m

Option 1: Laceweight wool companion yarn

Using a yarn with approximately 300 metres per 50 g:

• XXS: approximately 600 m

• XS: approximately 600 m

• S: approximately 900 m

• M: approximately 900 m

• L: approximately 900 m

• XL: approximately 900 m

• 2XL: approximately 900 m

• 3XL: approximately 900 m

• 4XL: approximately 1,200 m

• 5XL: approximately 1,200 m

Option 2: Laceweight alpaca companion yarn

Using a yarn with approximately 400 metres per 50 g:

• XXS: approximately 800 m

• XS: approximately 800 m

• S: approximately 800 m

• M: approximately 800 m

• L: approximately 800 m

• XL: approximately 800–1,200 m

• 2XL: approximately 1,200 m

• 3XL: approximately 1,200 m

• 4XL: approximately 1,200 m

• 5XL: approximately 1,200 m

Always check the metreage on the yarn you are buying rather than relying only on the number of balls.

Consider purchasing extra yarn if you plan to lengthen the vest, are between sizes or would like plenty left for swatching.

Gauge

20 stitches × 32 rows = 10 × 10 cm in the textured pattern on 3.5 mm needles.

The gauge must be measured in the textured pattern rather than stocking stitch. A chart is included in the pattern so you can work the correct stitch pattern in your swatch.

Wash and dry your swatch before measuring it, particularly if your companion strand contains alpaca.

Needles and notions

• 3.5 mm circular needles in suitable cable lengths

• 3 mm circular needles in suitable cable lengths

• Stitch markers

• Stitch holders or waste yarn

• Tapestry needle

• Six buttons, approximately 15 mm in diameter

Difficulty

★★★★★

Advanced

This pattern includes a charted textured pattern, top-down shoulder construction, picking up stitches, shaping, button bands and finishing around the armholes and neckline.

A quick tip before you start

Choose a main wool yarn with enough grip and structure to show the textured stitch pattern clearly.

A very smooth, slippery or heavily draping yarn may soften the texture and make the finished vest less defined. The companion strand should add warmth and depth without overpowering the stitch pattern.

Because the texture affects both stitch and row gauge, take the time to make a generous swatch and measure it after washing.