Inspired by clothes worn by Prince George, the third in line to the UK throne, the Fit for a Prince Vest is a classic, preppy-style baby vest that will charm locals near and far. Knit with v-necks on both the front and back, this adorable project will slip easily on and off of baby’s head to making changing a breeze.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 18 (19, 20, 21, 22)” to fit bust 16 (17, 18, 19, 20)”, corresponding approximately to ages 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months
2” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 20” (12 months)
Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st on larger needles after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn:
Sublime extra fine merino wool DK (100% extra fine merino; 127 yards [116 meters]/50 grams): 0410 Betty, 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) balls
Needles: US sizes 6 (4 mm) and 4 (3.5 mm): straight
Notions: 2 stitch markers; stitch holders/waste yarn (optional); cable needle; tapestry needle
Abbreviations
pmA(B): place marker A(B)
mA(B): marker A(B)
WS: wrong side
RS: right side
Special Stitches
Right-leaning Edge Cable (worked over 4 sts)
Row 1 (RS): P2, RT.
Row 2: P2, k2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for pattern.
Left-leaning Eedge Cable (worked over 4 sts)
Row 1 (RS): LT, p2.
Row 2: K2, p2.
Rep Rows 1-2 for pattern.
Central Sable Panel (worked over 22 sts)
Row 1 (RS): P2, RT, p2, k4, p2, k4, p2, LT, p2.
Row 2: K2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2.
Row 3: P2, RT, p2, C4B, p2, C4F, p2, LT, p2.
Row 4: As Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for pattern
RT: K the second st on the left hand needle, without slipping it from the right hand needle once worked, k into the first stitch on the left hand needle. Slip both the first and second stitches off the left hand needle.
LT: Ktbl the second stitch on your left needle without slipping it from the needle once worked, k the first stitch on your left needle. Slip both the first and second stitches off the left hand needle.
C4B: Place next 2 sts on a cable needle and hold at back of work. K2 from left hand needle, k2 from cable needle.
C4F: Place next 2 sts on a cable needle and hold at front of work. K2 from left hand needle, k2 from cable needle.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is knitted flat. The front and back are joined at the shoulder seams before picking up sts to knit the armholes. The side seams are then stitched closed.
Pattern
Front/Back (make two)
Using smaller needles, CO 54 (62, 62, 62, 70) sts.
Set-up Row: Work 4 (5, 5, 5, 6) repeats of Row 1 of the Right-leaning Edge Cable, pmA, work Row 1 of the Central Cable Panel, pmB, work 4 (5, 5, 5, 6) repeats of Row 1 of the Left-leaning Edge Cable.
Row 2: Work Row 2 of the Left-leaning Edge Cable to mB, work Row 2 of the Central Cable Panel to mA, work Row 2 of the Right-leaning Edge Cable to end.
Continue working the Left-leaning Edge Cable, Right-leaning Edge Cable, and Central Cable Panel as set-up until 12 rows have been worked in total – 6 repeats of the edge cable, 3 repeats of the Central Cable Panel.
Change to larger needles.
Increase Row (sizes 3, (12, 18) months only): (K5 (10, 6), m1R) twice (once, twice), k to marker, work Central Cable Panel as established to mB, (K5 (10, 6), m1L) twice (once, twice), k to end.
Decrease Row (sizes 6 (24) months only): K10 (12), k2tog, k to marker, work Central Cable Panel as established to mB, K10 (12), ssk, k to end – 58 (60, 64, 66, 68) sts.
Next Row (WS, all sizes): P to mB, work Central Cable Panel as established to mA, p to end.
Next Row: K to mA, work Central Cable Panel as established to mB, k to end.
Continue working the outer panels in St st and the Central Cable Panel section as established until the piece measures 5.75 (6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25)”, ending having just completed a WS row.
Armhole and Neckline Shaping
Row 1: At the start of the next row, BO 5 sts, k to 2 sts before mA, k2tog, work first 11 sts of Central Cable Panel as established, m1, turn. Leave remaining unworked sts on the needle, or transfer to waste yarn.
Row 2: Sl1 pwise wyib, work Central Cable Panel as established to mA, p to end.
At the start of the next 3 RS rows, decrease 1 st as follows: k1, k2tog, work as established to end.
AT THE SAME TIME, decrease 1 st next to the Central Cable Panel every third row as follows:
RS rows: Work to 2 sts before mA, k2tog, work Central Cable Panel as established.
WS rows: Work Central Cable Panel as established to mA, p2tog, p to end.
Note that Row 1 of the armhole and neckline shaping counts as the first neckline decrease row, the second decrease row is Row 4 (WS).
The first st of every WS row should be slipped pwise wyib.
Continue decreasing every third row until you have 13 sts.
Note that the final neckline edge decrease will include the edge st. If this is a RS row, omit the k1 before the decrease.
Continue working in established pattern until the piece measures 10 (11, 11.5, 12, 12.5)” from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
BO in pattern, working any cable sts as plain k sts.
Return live sts to needle.
Row 1: CO 1 st, work Central Cable Panel as established to mB, ssk, k to end.
Row 2: BO 5 sts pwise, p to mB, work Central Cable Panel as established.
At the end of the next 3 RS rows, decrease 1 st as follows: Work as established to 3 sts before end, ssk, k1.
AT THE SAME TIME, decrease 1 st next to the Central Cable Panel every third row as follows:
RS Rows: Work Central Cable Panel as established to mB, ssk, k to end.
WS Rows: P to 2 sts before mB, ssp, work Central Cable Panel as established.
Note that Row 1 of the armhole and neckline shaping counts as the first neckline decrease row, the second decrease row is Row 4 (WS).
The first st of every RS row should be slipped pwise wyif.
Continue decreasing every third row until you have 13 sts.
Note that the final neckline edge decrease will include the edge st. If this is a RS row, omit the k1 before the decrease.
Continue working in established pattern until the piece measures 10 (11, 11.5, 12, 12.5)” from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
BO in pattern, working any cable sts as plain k sts.
Join shoulder seams using mattress st.
Armhole Edging
Using smaller needles and with RS facing, PU and k5 sts along the BO edge at the base of the armhole, 6 (6, 6, 8, 10) sts along the diagonal edge, 18 (20, 22, 22, 22) sts along the vertical edge to the top armhole seam, 18 (20, 22, 22, 22) sts along the vertical edge after the top armhole seam, 6 (6, 6, 8, 10) sts along the diagonal edge and 5 sts along the BO edge at the base of the armhole – 58 (62, 66, 70, 74) sts.
Armhole 1
Row 1 (WS): Work Row 2 of Left-leaning Edge Cable to 2 sts before end, k2.
Row 2: P2, work Row 1 of Left-leaning Edge Cable to end.
Work these 2 rows three times in total.
BO loosely in pattern, working any cable sts as plain k sts.
Armhole 2
Row 1 (WS): K2, work Row 2 of Right-leaning Edge Cable to end.
Row 2: Work Row 1 of Right-leaning Edge Cable to final 2 sts, p2.
Work these 2 rows three times in total.
BO loosely in pattern, working any cable sts as plain k sts.
Finishing
Join the side seams and armhole seams using mattress stitch.
Wash the vest in warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly, arrange to measurements shown in the schematic and leave to dry flat.