Knitting for men, especially for older ones, can be very frustrating: they don’t like anything that makes knitting so interesting: no cables, bold colors or rich textures, let alone lace! Knit something special for dad that incorporates colorwork, relaxing stockinette and no boring sleeves to knit.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 37 (41, 46, 51, 53)” to fit bust 36 (40, 45, 50, 52)”
1” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 46”
Gauge: 25 sts and 46 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Slipped st, after wet blocking on US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles.
25 sts and 34 rows =4” [10 cm] in St st, after wet blocking on US size 2.5 (3.0 mm) needles.
Materials
Yarn:
Drops Baby Alpaca Silk (70% Alpaca, 30% Silk; 183 yards [167 meters]/50 grams): Color 8108 Light Grey (MC), 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) balls
Lana Grossa Alta Moda Super Baby Fine Degradé (63% Wool, 27% Alpaca, 10% Nylon; 126 yards [115 meters]/25 grams): Color 106-Türkis/Petrol/Royal (CC), 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) balls
Needles: US size 5 (3.75 mm) 30” circular needles for Slipped st
US size 2.5 (3.0 mm) 30” (or longer) circular needles for St st
US size 1.5 (2.5 mm) 32” circular needles for borders
US size 1.5 (2.5 mm) 24” circular needles for armhole borders
Notions: 3 Markers; 2 stitch holders; waste yarn for provisional cast-on; tapestry needle; five 0.75” buttons
Special Stitches
First Stitch Pattern
Row 1: Using white, knit.
Row 2: Using white, purl.
Rows 3–4: Repeat Rows 1-2.
Row 5: Using blue, *sl, k; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 6: Using white, *k, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 7: Using blue, *sl wyif, p; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 8: Using white, *p, sl wyif; repeat from * to end.
Row 9: Using blue, *sl, k; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 10: Using white, k, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 11: Using white, purl.
Row 12: Using white, knit.
Rows 13-16: Repeat Rows 11-12.
Row 17: Using blue, *k, sl; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 18: Using white, *sl, k; repeat from * to end.
Row 19: Using white, purl.
Row 20: Using white, knit.
Rows 19-24: Repeat Rows 1-2.
Complete Stitch Pattern
Row 1: Using blue, *sl, k; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 2: Using white, *k, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 3: Using blue, *sl wyif, p; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 4: Using white, *p, sl wyif; repeat from * to end.
Rows 5-8: Repeat Rows 1-4.
Row 9: Using blue, *k3, sl; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 10: Using white, *k, sl, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 11: Using blue, *p, sl wyif; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 12: Using white, *sl wyif, p3; repeat from * to end.
Row 13: Using blue, *k, sl, k2; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 14: Using white, *sl, k; repeat from * to end.
Row 15: Using blue, repeat Row 3.
Row 16: Using white, purl.
Row 17: Using blue, repeat Row 1.
Row 18: Using white, knit.
Row 19: Using blue, repeat Row 3.
Row 20: Using white, repeat Row 4.
Row 21: Using blue, repeat Row 9.
Row 22: Using white, repeat Row 10.
Row 23: Using blue, repeat Row 11.
Row 24: Using white, repeat Row 12.
Row 25: Using blue, repeat Row 13.
Row 26: Using white, repeat Row 14.
Row 27: Using blue, repeat Row 3.
Row 28: Using white, purl.
Row 29: Using blue, *sl, k, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 30: Using blue, *sl wyif, p3; repeat from * to end.
Row 31: Using white, *k, sl, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 32: Using white, purl.
Row 33: Using blue, *sl 3, k; repeat from * to end.
Row 34: Using blue, *p2, sl wyif, k; repeat from * to end.
Row 35: Using white, *k3, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 36: Using white, purl.
Row 37: Using blue, *k, sl; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 38: Using white, *sl, k; repeat from * to end.
Row 39: Using blue, *sl wyif, p3; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 40: Using white, repeat Row 31.
Row 41: Using blue, *sl, k; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 42: Using white, *k3, sl*sl, k; repeat from * to end.
Row 43: Using blue, *p2, sl wyif, p; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 44: Using white, *p, sl wyif; repeat from * to end.
Row 45: Using blue, repeat Row 37.
Row 46: Using white, knit.
Row 47: Using blue, *p, sl wyif; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 48: Using white, purl.
Row 49: Using blue, repeat Row 37.
Row 50: Using white, repeat Row 38.
Row 51: Using blue, repeat Row 39.
Row 52: Using white, repeat Row 31.
Row 53: Using blue, repeat Row 41.
Row 54: Using white, *k3, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 55: Using blue, repeat Row 43.
Row 56: Using white, repeat Row 44.
Row 57: Using blue, repeat Row 37.
Row 58: Using white, *k, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 59: Using blue, repeat Row 47.
Rows 60-63: Repeat Rows 56-59.
Row 64: Using white, purl.
Second Stitch Pattern
Row 1: Using white, knit.
Row 2: Using white, purl.
Rows 3-4: Repeat Rows 1-2.
Row 5: Using blue, *k, sl; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 6: Using white, *sl, k; repeat from * to end.
Row 7: Using white, purl.
Row 8: Using white, knit.
Rows 9 – 12: Repeat Rows 7-8.
Row 13: Using blue, *sl, k; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 14: Using white, *k, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 15: Using blue, *sl wyif, p; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 16: Using white, *p, sl wyif; repeat from * to end.
Row 17: Using blue, *sl, k; repeat from * to end, sl all sts to other end of needle.
Row 18: Using white, *k, sl; repeat from * to end.
Row 19: Using white, purl.
Row 20: Using white, knit.
Rows 21-24: Repeat Rows 19-20.
Pattern Notes
Papà Vest is worked seamlessly from the top down. The work is started with a provisional cast-on for the Back. The shoulders are shaped with short-rows, then the Back is worked in mosaic stitch to the underarms, then the stitches are put on a holder. The first stitches from the provisional cast-on are unraveled to work the Right Shoulder (shaped with short-rows), and then the Right Front is worked to the underarms, being careful to stop on the same stitch row as for the Back. Once again stitches are put on holder. The last stitches from the provisional cast-on for the Back are unraveled to work the Left Shoulder, shaped with short-rows, and worked in pattern to the underarms. Finally, all stitches are removed from holders to work the Body in one piece to the hem, which is worked in 1/1 rib.
Stitches for buttonbands and neckbands are then picked up from the front opening and worked in 1/1 rib with smaller needles, as well as the armhole borders.
Pattern
General slip stitch pattern and color scheme
Follow the color and pattern scheme given in Color pattern, being careful to change needles to larger size when working in slip stitch rows, and returning to smaller size when working St st.
Work 1 repeat of Primo Pattern, then 1 repeat of Completo Pattern, continue with 1 repeat of Secondo Pattern, ending with 1 repeat of Completo Pattern.
Start following this scheme immediately after short row shoulder shaping and repeat it to the end of the piece.
Back
Using smaller needles, MC, and a provisional CO, CO 91 (99, 103, 107, 111) sts.
Knit 1 row.
Shoulder Shaping
Set-up Row: Turn work and p30 (33, 34, 36, 37) sts, PM, p31 (33, 35, 35, 37) sts, PM, p to end.
Short-Row 1: K to M, w&t.
Short-Row 2: P to M, w&t.
Short-Row 3: K to the wrapped st, k the wrapped st, k4, w&t.
Short-Row 4: P to the wrapped st, p the wrapped st, p4, w&t.
Repeat Short-Rows 3-4, 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) more times.
Work 2 rows in St st on all sts of the Back, removing the markers and ending after a WS row.
Start working in the color scheme: Work 1 repeat of Primo Pattern, then 1 repeat of Completo Pattern, continue with 1 repeat of Secondo Pattern, ending with 1 repeat of Completo Pattern.
When piece measures 8.25 (8, 8, 8, 7.75)” [21 (20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20) cm], measured from Center Back, start underarm increases.
Underarm Increases
Inc Row 1: K1, M1, k in pattern to 1 st before end, M1, k1 – 2 sts inc’d.
Work Inc Row 1 on every RS MC Row 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) times total – 103 (113, 119, 123, 129) sts.
Inc Row 2: Work in pattern to the end, CO 2 sts with Cable CO.
Work Inc Row 2 on each MC Row 2 (4, 6, 10, 12) times total – 107 (121, 131, 143, 153) sts.
Work even in pattern until piece measures 10.5 (11, 11.5, 12, 12.5)” [26 (27, 28.5, 30, 31) cm], measured from Center Back, placing all Back sts on a stitch holder.
Right Shoulder
From the RS, unravel the first 30 (33, 34, 36, 37) sts of the provisional cast-on and place Back sts on needle.
Work 3 rows in St st.
Start Short-Row Shoulder Shaping:
Short-Row 1: P4, w&t.
Short-Row 2: K to end.
Short-Row 3: P to the wrapped st, p the wrapped st, p4, w&t.
Short-Row 4: K to end, M1, k1.
Repeat Short-Rows 3-4, 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) more times.
Work 3 rows in St st on all sts of the Right Shoulder, ending after a WS row.
Follow the same general slip stitch pattern and color scheme used for Back.
Note: While working neck increases, underarm increases are also worked. Please read all the instructions for Right Shoulder before continuing.
Neck Increases
When the Shoulder measures 5.75 (5.75, 6.25, 6.75, 6.5)” [14.5 (14.5, 15.5, 17, 16.5) cm], measured from Center Back, start neck increases.
Inc Row 1: K in pattern to 1 before end, M1, k1 – 1 st inc’d.
Work Inc Row 1 every RS MC row 14 (16, 16, 16, 18) times total.
Underarm Increases
When Shoulder measures 8.25 (8, 8, 8, 7.75)” [21 (20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20) cm], measured from Center Back, start underarm increases.
Increase Row change as follows:
Inc Row: K1, M1, work in pattern to 1 before end, M1, k1 – 2 sts inc’d, one for underarm, one for neck opening).
Work Inc Row on every RS MC row 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) times total.
After all Inc Rows have been worked, continue increases for the neck, working Neck Inc Rows every RS MC row until you’ve worked 14 (16, 16, 16, 18) increases, while increasing for the underarm on every WS MC rows as follows:
Underarm Inc Row 1: Work in pattern to end, CO 2 sts with Cable CO.
Work Underarm Inc Row 1 on every WS MC row 1 (2, 3, 5, 6) time(s) total.
There should be 52 (60, 64, 70, 76) sts on needle.
Work even in pattern until piece measures 10 (10.5, 11, 11.5, 12)” [25 (26, 27.5, 29, 30) cm], measured from Center Back, ending after a WS row.
Place all Back sts on a stitch holder.
Left Shoulder
From the RS, unravel the last 30 (33, 34, 36, 37) sts of the provisional cast-on and place Back sts on needle.
Work 4 rows in St st.
Start Short-Row Shoulder Shaping
Short-Row 1: K4, w&t.
Short-Row 2: P to end.
Short-Row 3: K to the wrapped st, k the wrapped st, k4, w&t.
Short row 4: P to 1 before end, M1, k1.
Repeat Short-Rows 3-4, 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) more times.
Work 2 rows in St st on all sts of the Left Shoulder, ending after a WS row.
Follow the same general slip stitch pattern and color scheme used for Back.
Note: While working neck increases, underarm increases are also worked, please read all the instructions for left shoulder before continuing.
Neck Increases
When the shoulder measures 5.75 (5.75, 6.25, 6.75, 6.5)” [14.5 (14.5, 15.5, 17, 16.5) cm], start neck increases.
Neck Inc Row 1: K1, M1, k in pattern to end – 1 st inc’d.
Work Inc Row every RS MC row 14 (16, 16, 16, 18) times total.
Underarm Increases
When the shoulder measures 8.25 (8, 8, 8, 7.75)” [21 (20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20) cm], measured from Center Back, start underarm increases.
Increase Row change as follows:
Inc Row 1: K1, M1, work in pattern to 1 before end, M1, k1 – 2 sts inc’d (one for underarm, one for neck opening).
Work Inc Row on every RS MC row 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) times total.
Underarm Inc Row 1: K1, M1, work in pattern to end, CO 2 sts with Cable CO.
Work Underarm Inc Row 1 on every RS MC row 1 (2, 3, 5, 6) time(s) total – 52 (60, 64, 70, 76) sts on needle.
Work even in pattern until piece measures 10.5 (11, 11.5, 12, 12.5)” [26 (27, 28.5, 30, 31) cm], measured from Center Back, start working on all the sts of the body.
Body
On a RS row, work all the sts of the Left Shoulder following the color and pattern scheme as established, CO 7 (7, 9, 9, 11) sts, place all sts of the Back from the stitch holder, CO 7 (7, 9, 9, 11) sts, and finally place sts of the Right Shoulder from the stitch holder.
Continue working straight in color and pattern scheme until piece measures 24.75 (25.25, 25.75, 26.5, 26.75)” [62 (63, 64.5, 66, 67) cm], measured from Center Back, 14.5 [36 cm] from underarm for all sizes.
Change to 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles and with MC, work in 1/1 rib pattern for 2” [5 cm].
Bind off with tubular BO.
Borders and Buttonholes
With 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles and MC, starting from left side of the piece, pick up and knit 110 sts along the right front opening, 74 (80, 86, 92, 98) sts along right side of the neckline, then place on needle 31 (33, 35, 35, 37) sts from the provisional CO for Back, 74 (80, 86, 92, 98) sts along the left side of the neckline, PM, 110 sts along the left front opening.
Work 3 rows in 1/1 rib.
Work the buttonholes as follows:
Work in 1/1 rib to M, BO 4 sts, *work 22 sts in 1/1 rib, BO 4 sts; repeat from * 3 more times, work last 2 sts in 1/1 rib.
On the following row, work 2 sts in 1/1 rib, *CO 4 sts with cable or crochet hook CO, work 22 sts in 1/1 rib; repeat from * 3 more times, CO 4 sts with cable or crochet hook CO, work in 1/1 rib to end.
Work 2 more rows in 1/1 rib.
BO with tubular BO.
Armhole Borders
With 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles and MC, starting from the center underarm, place on needle 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts from the sts casted on for underarms, pick up and knit 141 (153, 161, 173, 185) sts along the armholes, then place the other 4 (4, 5, 5,6) sts casted on for underarms and join to work in the round.
Work 5 rounds in 1/1 rib.
BO with tubular BO.
Repeat for the other armhole.
Finishing
Weave in ends.
Gently wash and steam block the vest.
Sew 5 buttons on the left border in correspondence with the buttonholes.
I would like a printed copy of the vest pattern. it is very attractive
Where is the colour pattern mentioned in the pattern. I am an experienced knitter but this is the most confusing pattern I’ve ever encountered. Don’t offer me something for free that is not complete…or is this just a way to get me to subscribe?
I have now found the charts etc. The problem arose because the print now button does not transfer across the download content, not even just the titles. Very confusing. Moderator, please erase my comment.
Sounds complicated but I can’t wait to knit this.