The Mykonos yarn gives Wanderlust Vest the look of suede without the weight of leather. Using conchos and leather lacing as a closure adds to the southwestern look.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 38 ¾” (34¾, 38¾, 42½, 46½, 50¼, 54)” to fit bust 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52)”
2-3” positive ease recommended
Shown in size 36”
Gauge: 25 sts and 30 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st using smaller size needles
20 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Open Rib pattern using larger size needles
Materials
Yarn: Berroco Mykonos (66% Linen; 26% Nylon; 8% Cotton / 142 yds (130 m) / 1.75 oz (50 g) per skein) color #8503 Demeter – 6 skeins used for updated sample
Needles: US size 5 (3.75mm): 16” and 32” circular needles; US size 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle (larger sizes may choose to use longer circular needles); spare needle in smaller size for working 3-needle bind off.
Notions: Stitch markers; stitch holders; tapestry needle; 2 – Buffalo Nickel Conchos 7/8″ (Hobby Lobby); 2 yds – On A Cord Deerskin Lace 1/8″ white (Hobby Lobby)
Special Stitches
RT (right twist cable): K2tog then knit first st again before dropping both sts from needle.
LT (left twist cable): Sl 2 sts individually as if to knit, return both sts to left needle keeping new orientation, knit the second st through the back loop then knit the first and second sts together through the back loop before dropping both sts from needle.
W&T (Wrap & Turn): Work to the turning point.
On the RS of work, bring yarn to the front, slip next st as if to purl, take yarn to back of work, turn work and slip wrapped st to right hand needle.
On the WS of work, take yarn to the back of work, slip next st as if to purl, bring yarn to front of work, turn work and slip wrapped st to right hand needle. To close gaps, work to the wrapped st, work the wrap together with the wrapped st.
3-Needle Bind Off: Hold the two pieces of knitting with RS together in position to work from right to left. Insert 3rd needle into the first st on both needles, work a knit st pulling the loop through both sts as if working a normal knit st. Work second st in the same manner, passing the first finished st over the just completed st as in a traditional bind off. Continue until all sts have been worked and bound off.
Open Rib Pattern (multiple of 6 sts + 2)
Note: On Row 1 for the second and subsequent repeats, purl into the back loop of the second yarn over made on Row 4. This will keep the st in the correct orientation.
Row 1 (WS): K2, *p4, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): K2, *k2tog, yo twice, ssk, p2; rep from * to last 6 sts, k2tog, yo twice, ssk, k2.
Row 3: K2, *p1, purl into the front of the first yo, purl into the back of the 2nd yo, p1, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 4: K2, *yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, p2; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked from the bottom up in one piece to the underarms, then split to work the Fronts and Back separately.
Circular needles are used to accommodate the number of sts for the Body. Only the armhole trim is worked in the round.
Decreases which shape the neckline are worked at the armhole edge.
Leave a length of yarn when the front shoulders are completed that is sufficient for joining the shoulder.
The front hemline is slightly shorter than the back.
Short rows are used to shape the Back shoulders and Neck. The Wrap & Turn method is given, however, any short row method can be used.
Pattern
Border
With larger needles, CO 194 (218, 242, 266, 290, 314, 338) sts.
Work Rows 1-4 of Open Rib Pattern 14 (14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15) times. Piece should meas approx. 8 (8, 8, 8½, 8½, 8½, 8½)” from CO edge.
Change to smaller size longer circular needles.
Next Row: P across row, placing side markers after the first 49 (55, 61, 67, 73, 79, 85) sts, and after the next 96 (108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168) sts, p to end.
Body
Row 1 and 3 (RS): K3, RT, (k4, RT) 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) times, k2, sm, k to next m, sm, k2, (LT, k4) 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) times, LT, k3.
Row 2 and all WS rows: K2, p to the last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 5, 7, 9, 11: K3, RT, (k4, RT) 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) times, k8, sm, k to next m, sm, k8, (LT, k4) 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) times, LT, k3.
Rows 13, 15, 17, 19: K3, RT, (k4, RT) 5 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) times, k14, sm, k to next m, sm, k14, (LT, k4) 5 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) times, LT, k3.
Rows 21, 23, 25, 27: K3, RT, (k4, RT) 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) times, k20, sm, k to next m, sm, k20, (LT, k4) 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) times, LT, k3.
Rows 29, 31, 33, 35: K3, RT, (k4, RT) 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) times, k26, sm, k to next m, sm, k26, (LT, k4) 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) times, LT, k3.
Rows 37, 39, 41, 43: K3, RT, (k4, RT) 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) times, k32, sm, k to next m, sm, k32, (LT, k4) 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) times, LT, k3.
Sizes 28 and 32 only
Next Row: Rep Row 2, then cont to Divide Fronts and Back.
Sizes 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) only
Rows 45, 47, 49, 51: K3, RT, (k4, RT) 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) times, k38, sm, k to next m, sm, (LT, k4) 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) times, LT, k3.
Sizes 36 and 40 only
Next Row: Rep Row 2, then cont to Divide Fronts and Back.
Sizes 44 (48, 52) only
Rows 53, 55, 57, 59: K3, RT, (k4, RT) 4 (5, 6) times, k44, sm, k to next m, sm, (LT, k4) 4 (5, 6) times, LT, K3.
Row 60: Rep Row 2.
Divide Fronts and Back
Work 11 (17, 17, 23, 23, 29, 35) sts in patt as est, k to 3 (4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15) sts before first marker, BO next 6 (8, 10, 14, 18, 24, 30) sts removing marker, k to 3 (4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15) sts before second marker, BO next 6 (8, 10, 14, 18, 24, 30) sts removing marker, k to end – 46 (51, 56, 60, 64, 67, 70) sts for each Front; 90 (100, 110, 118, 126, 132, 138) sts for Back.
Place Right Front and Back sts on holders.
Left Front and Shape Armholes
Row 1 (WS): K2, p to end.
Row 2 (Dec): K1, ssk, k to last 11 (17, 17, 23, 23, 29, 35) sts, work last sts in est patt – 1 st dec’d; 45 (50, 55, 59, 63, 66, 69) sts.
Rep Rows 1-2, 4 (8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10) more times, maintaining est patt – 41 (42, 47, 51, 55, 57, 59) sts.
Next Row (WS): K2, p to end.
Next Row (Dec): K1, k2tog, k to last 11 (17, 17, 23, 23, 29, 35) sts, work last sts in est patt as much as possible.
Rep these last 2 rows 20 (20, 22, 23, 26, 26, 27) more times – 20 (21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31) sts.
Place rem sts on holder for shoulder.
Work even if needed until Armhole meas 7½ (8½, 8½, 9, 10, 10¼, 10½)” from division.
Right Front and Shape Armholes
Place 46 (51, 56, 60, 64, 67, 70) sts held for Right Front on smaller size longer circular needles. Join yarn to beg a WS row.
Row 1: P to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (Dec): Work 11 (17, 17, 23, 23, 29, 35) sts in est patt for Front edge, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 45 (50, 55, 59, 63, 66, 69) sts.
Rep Rows 1 and 2, 4 (8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10) more times, maint est patt – 41 (42, 47, 51, 55, 57, 59) sts.
Next Row (WS): P to last 2 sts, k2.
Next Row (Dec): Work 11 (17, 17, 23, 23, 29, 35) sts in est patt as much as possible, knit to last 2 sts, ssk, k1.
Rep last 2 rows 20 (20, 22, 23, 26, 26, 27) more times – 20 (21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31) sts.
Place rem sts on holder for shoulder.
Work even if needed until Armhole meas 7½ (8½, 8½, 9, 10, 10¼, 10½)” from division.
Back
Place 90 (100, 110, 118, 126, 132, 138) sts held for Back on smaller size longer circular needles. Join yarn to beg a WS row.
Row 1 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 2 (Dec): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 88 (98, 108, 116, 124, 130, 136) sts.
Row 4: Knit.
Rep Rows 1-4, 4 (8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10) more times – 80 (82, 92, 100, 108, 112, 116) sts.
Work even for 31 (23, 23, 27, 35, 25, 11) rows or until Back meas ½” less than Front armhole, ending after a WS row.
Shape Shoulders and Back Neck
Short Row 1 (RS): K32 (33, 36, 39, 40, 42, 43), W&T.
Short Row 2: Sl1, p25 (25, 27, 29, 29, 31, 31), W&T.
Short Row 3: Sl1, k19 (19, 21, 23, 23, 25, 25), W&T.
Short Row 4: Sl1, p12 (12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 15), W&T.
Short Row 5: Sl1, k60 (60, 67, 74, 78, 81, 83), closing short row gaps as you come to them, W&T.
Short Row 6: Sl1, p25 (25, 27, 29, 29, 31, 31), W&T.
Short Row 7: Sl1, k18 (18, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21), W&T.
Short Row 8: Sl1, p12 (12, 13, 14, 14, 16, 16), W&T.
Short Row 9: Sl1, k end of row, turn.
Row 10: P20 (21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31), BO next 40 (40, 44, 46, 52, 52, 54), p20 (21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31), closing short row gaps as you come to them.
Fasten off yarn.
Finishing
Place Front shoulder sts on shorter circular needle and with RS together join Front shoulder sts to matching Back shoulder sts using the 3-needle Bind Off technique.
Armhole Trim
With RS facing and using shorter circular needles, join yarn at center underarm and pick up 95 (106, 108, 118, 134, 143, 152) sts evenly spaced around armhole, using a ratio of 3 sts for every 4 rows along the armhole edges, 1 st in each bound off underarm st and 5 sts in 5 rows over shoulder seam.
Place marker, join to work in the rnd.
Purl one rnd.
BO all sts.
Front Edges and Back Neck Trim
With RS facing and using smaller size longer circular needles, join yarn in the lower right Front corner and pick up 284 (290, 306, 320, 350, 356, 370) sts evenly spaced around the Front edges and Back neck, using a ratio of 3 sts for every 4 rows along the Front edges, 2 sts over each shoulder seam, and 1 st in each bound off Back neck st.
Knit one row.
BO all sts.
Weave in all ends. Block to measurements.
Finishing
Attaching conchos: Conchos are placed on the neck side of each front, about where the armhole shaping begins. Measure from shoulder to desired placement on each side. Mark placement with pin or removable stitch marker.
Cut leather lacing into 1 yd lengths. Fold each length in half and tie an over-hand knot close to the fold, leaving a small loop to fit over the shank of the Concho.
Place the Concho with the leather lace attached at each front marker. Secure Concho through the back of the fabric using the provided screw.
Trim leather lacing to desired length. Tie over-hand knot approx ½” from ends.
Wear vest closed, using the leather lacing to secure; or wear vest open allowing lacing to fall freely.