The Flex Vest is designed for comfort and adaptability. It’s boxy in shape with built-in stretch all over the back, allowing you to customise your fit just by selecting the size that will give you your desired ease. If you prefer a fitted look, choose a size that will give you negative ease compared to your bust circumference. If you prefer a looser fit, choose a size that will give you positive ease. As written, the bottom of the vest should sit at the top of your hips. Add cable repeats to add length if desired.

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Pair the Flex Vest with jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt or button-up top in cooler weather, or wear it on its own and flex those guns! This vest has become a staple in my wardrobe (and in my Mom’s, too); it’s perfect for adding an extra little bit of cozy warmth to any outfit.

Construction Method

This vest is knit bottom-up, in the round, until you reach the armholes. Armhole stitches and six stitches at the base of the V-neck are bound off in the middle of the round, and the remainder of the vest is knit flat, starting with the front shoulder panels and then the back.

A three-needle bind-off is used to join the front and back shoulders. Finally, stitches are picked up along the neckline and both armholes and finished with a 2 x 2 rib stitch.

Yarn

Pattern uses Ample Aran by The Wooly Cauldron. You may use any yarn of similar weight, yardage and fibre content which allows you to get the recommended gauge.

Ample Aran specs: 100% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool yarn

Aran weight (2-ply)

100g (4oz) = 166m (182yd)

Needles & Notions

Circular interchangeable needles

Size US 4 (3.5 mm) (for ribbing)
Size US 6 (4.0 mm) (for everything else) (2 sets of US 6 needles is ideal, but you can make do with 1)

1 x Size US 6 straight or DPN for working the three-needle bind-off
Cables

32” or 37” cable to comfortably hold your full count of stitches in the round
22” cable for knitting flat
Extra short lengths to act as stitch holders (optional)

Safety pin style stitch holders (you’ll want a set containing at least 4)
Stitch markers
Cable needle
Darning needle to weave in ends

Sizing and Fit

Bust circumference (A) of finished vest (cm): 71, 81, 91, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142.

Bust circumference (A) of finished vest (in): 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56.

Armhole depth (B) of finished vest (cm): 16.5, 18, 19, 20, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5

Armhole depth (B) of finished vest (in): 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10

Total length (C) of finished vest (cm): 57, 58.5, 59, 60, 61, 61, 62

Total length (C) of finished vest (in): 22.5, 23, 23.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24, 24, 24.5

There is no built-in ease in this pattern. I recommend selecting a size which will give you between 0 - 10 cm (0 - 4 in) of negative ease for a fitted look. If you prefer a looser fit, size up.

Gauge

18 sts x 32 rows = 10 cm (4 in) square (basketweave stitch)

20 sts x 30 rows = 10 cm (4 in) square (reverse stockinette + cable stitch)

To test your gauge, swatch 48 sts in the round, working half of the stitches in the basketweave pattern and the other half in reverse stockinette plus a cable or two of your choice. Wash and block gently, using your hands to smooth the knit tube out into a square. Let the swatch dry before checking your gauge.

Tester Gallery

I want to thank all of my testers for helping me through my first complex pattern. They have been incredibly supportive, from providing me with solutions to problems, to suggesting alternative techniques to make the pattern better, and finally for taking photos of their finished vests to share with you! Caley, Cath, Collette, Jane, Lesley, Maisie, Marnie, Myrna, Selena and Tiffany: THANK YOU! - Caitlyn