Beneath Waves Vest
Knitting Pattern
Beneath Waves Vest is a versatile, transitional layer with three length options that can be worn as a sleeveless top or over a short- or long-sleeved shirt or dress. The front and back are covered with an ornate panel of lace, bobbles, and garter stitch waves that is simpler to knit than it appears, with most rounds being either knit or purled. Above the bust, the waves make a smooth transition into stockinette, and at the sides of the body, they flow seamlessly into garter stitch panels which can be made with subtle, half-hourglass shaping (narrower at hem than bust) or without (straight).
The stitch pattern is inspired by both the work of Hitomi Shida as well as tide pools glinting with sunlight and teeming with life just beneath the surface. It brings a sense of hidden depths, particularly when knit in a subtly tonal or semi-solid yarn.
Want to plan your vest? Scroll down for yardage info, gauge, and the full schematic.
Construction
Beneath Waves Vest is worked in the round from the bottom up to the underarms, after which the front and back are worked separately and flat. Stitches are then picked up around the armholes and at the neck for a ribbed trim, which is finished with a sewn bind off.
The body can be made at any of three lengths: cropped, regular, or long. Instructions for optional, subtle half-hourglass side-shaping (smaller at the hem than at the bust) are included for the two shorter body lengths.
Sizing, Gauge, and Yardage
Sizes / Finished Bust Measurements
XS (S, M, L, XL) {2X, 3X, 4X, 5X} / 34.25 (38, 42.25, 46, 50) {53.75, 58.25, 62, 66.25}” [85.5 (95, 105.5, 115, 125) {134.5, 145.5, 155, 165.5} cm] with 2-4” [0-10 cm] positive ease at bust for regular and long body lengths, 1” [2.5 cm] negative ease to 4” [5 cm] positive ease at bust for cropped length
Gauge
20 sts x 28 rounds = 4” [10 cm] in stockinette stitch, using larger needles, blocked
Yarn
Samples made with Wool & Palette 100% Merino/Rambouillet worsted in colors Coffee, White, and Terra Cotta. View Wool & Palette’s Beneath Waves Collection for more colors.
Yardage (in light worsted weight yarn)
Cropped with Side Shaping:
570 (620, 680, 740, 790) {860, 930, 980, 1050} yds [520 (570, 620, 680, 720) {790, 850, 900, 960} m]
Cropped without Side Shaping:
580 (630, 690, 740, 800) {860, 930, 990, 1060} yds [530 (580, 630, 680, 730) {790, 850, 910, 970} m]
Regular with Side Shaping:
710 (780, 860, 920, 1000) {1070, 1160, 1230, 1320} yds [650 (710, 790, 840, 910) {980, 1060, 1120, 1210} m]
Regular without Side Shaping:
720 (790, 870, 930, 1010) {1090, 1170, 1240, 1330} yds [660 (720, 800, 850, 920) {1000, 1070, 1130, 1220} m]
Long without Side Shaping:
860 (950, 1040, 1120, 1210) {1310, 1410, 1500, 1600} yds [790 (870, 950, 1020, 1110) {1200, 1290, 1370, 1460} m]
Schematic
A 34.25 (38, 42.25, 46, 50) {53.75, 58.25, 62, 66}”
[85.5 (95, 105.5, 115, 125) {134.5, 145.5, 155, 165} cm]
B 32 (35.75, 40.5, 44.25, 48) {51.75, 56.5, 60.25, 64}”
[80 (89.5, 101.5, 110.5, 120) {129.5, 141.5, 150.5, 160} cm]
C 15.25 (15.75, 16, 16, 16.5) {17.25, 17.75, 18, 19}”
[38.25 (39.5, 40, 40, 41.25) {43.25, 44.5, 45, 47.5} cm]
D 8.75 (9.25, 9.5, 9.75, 10.25) {10.5, 10.75, 11.25, 11.5}”
[22 (23.25, 23.75, 24.5, 25.75) {26.25, 27, 28.25, 28.75} cm]
E 0.5” [1.5 cm]
F 3” [7.5 cm]
G 8.25 (8.5, 9, 9, 9.25) {9.75, 10, 10, 10.5}”
[20.5 (21.5, 22.5, 22.5, 23) {24.5, 25, 25, 26.5} cm]
H
CROPPED: 6.75 (6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.25) {6.25, 6.25, 6, 6}”
[17 (16.25, 16.25, 16.25, 15.75) {15.75, 15.75, 15, 15} cm]
REGULAR: 10.5 (10.25, 10.25, 10.25, 10) {10, 10, 9.75, 9.75}”
[26.25 (25.75, 25.75, 25.75, 25) {25, 25, 24.5, 24.5} cm]
LONG: 14.25 (14, 14, 14, 13.75) {13.75, 13.75, 13.5, 13.5}”
[35.75 (35, 35, 35, 34.5) {34.5, 34.5, 33.75, 33.75} cm]
I
CROPPED: 16 (16.25, 16.5, 16.75, 17) {17.25, 17.5, 17.75, 18}”
[40 (40.75, 41.25, 42, 42.5) {43.25, 43.75, 44.5, 45} cm]
REGULAR: 19.75 (20, 20.25, 20.5, 20.75) {21, 21.25, 21.5, 21.75}”
[49.5 (50, 50.75, 51.25, 52) {52.5, 53.25, 53.75, 54.5} cm]
LONG: 23.5 (23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.5) {24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.5}”
[58.75 (59.5, 60, 60.75, 61.25) {62, 62.5, 63.25, 63.75} cm]