The Wesson Vest- Free Knitting Pattern
The Wesson Vest takes a classic look and makes it modern. Featuring textured stitches, an overlapping front and a belt to help get the perfect fit, this pattern will quickly become a favorite to make and wear. Find a free pattern below or grab a digital PDF copy in my shop.
The Wesson Vest is available as a complete kit from Lion Brand Yarn! The kit comes with a digital copy of the pattern, plus all the yarn you’ll need in the color and size of your choice.
Here we are with just one week left of the year. I can’t believe how quickly 2021 flew by. I also can’t believe that it was only a year ago that I started designing knit pattern and here I am releasing my 8th and 9th patterns back to back!
It just goes to show that when you put your mind to something anything is possible. I’ve fallen in love with knitting and creating the Wesson Vest has built my designer confidence even more. I still have a ton to learn when it comes to knitting, but each new design brings with it so much new knowledge and skills.
When designing the Wesson I knew I wanted a simple stitch that showed off the gorgeous colors in the Heartland yarn I used. The double rice stitch was a perfect fit. It uses basic stitches and an easy repeat to create an eye catching texture. This stitch does produce a bit of curling so to give the Wesson a more polished finished I used an applied i-cord edge around the armholes and the main body of the vest.
Making the i-cord is a lot easier than it seems and gives it the perfect finishing touch. I’ve created a few video tutorials for the stitches and techniques used to help along the way. Head to my YouTube channel in the links below to check them out.
I just love how the Wesson turned out and hope that you will love making it.
The Wesson Vest Knitting Pattern
Materials:
678-1423 yards of Lion Brand Heartland in Grand Canyon or similar weight 4 yarn
29” circular US size 9 (5.5mm) knitting needles
29” circular US size 10 (6.0mm) knitting needles
US size 9 (5.5mm) double point needles
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Abbreviations:
CO- cast on
st(s)- stitch(es)
RS- right side
WS- wrong side
sl- slip
K2togtbl- knit two together through back loops
K- knit
P- purl
K2tog- knit 2 together
BO- bind off
SSK- slip slip knit
K1tbl- knit one through back loop
sl1kw- slip one knit wise
sl1pw- slip one purl wise
Gauge:
16 sts and 20.2 rows in pattern stitch = 4” square after blocking.
Repeat Rows 1-4 of back panel for pattern stitch.
Size:
XS: fits bust 28-30” (approx. 678 yards) 3 skeins
S: fits bust 32-34” (approx. 759 yards) 4 skeins
M: fits bust 36-38” (approx. 855 yards) 4 skeins
L: fits bust 40-42” (approx. 940 yards) 4 skeins
XL: fits bust 44-46” (approx. 1029 yards) 5 skeins
2X: fits bust 48-50” (approx. 1135 yards) 5 skeins
3X: fits bust 52-54” (approx. 1229 yards) 5 skeins
4X: fits bust 56-58” (approx. 1325 yards) 6 skeins
5X: fits bust 60-62” (approx. 1423 yards) 6 skeins
Notes:
1.Pattern is worked in three panels (back, front left, front right) and seamed at the shoulders and sides. The collar is then worked directly from the neckline. An i-cord edging is added to the armholes and around the front and bottom of the vest.
2.The belt and belt loops are optional.
3.The vest will overlap in the front by approx. 3.5-5.5”
Video Tutorials:
Click on a thumbnail to view each video.
Pattern:
Back:
CO 69(77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117, 125, 133)
Main Back:
Row 1(WS): *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * until last st, P1. (69(77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117, 125, 133)
Row 2 (RS): K all sts. (69(77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117, 125, 133)
Row 3 (WS): *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * until last st, K1tbl. (69(77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117, 125, 133)
Row 4 (RS): K all sts. (69(77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117, 125, 133)
Repeat Rows 1-4, ending on a Row 3 repeat for a total of 91 rows
Arm Hole Shaping:
Row 1: BO 4(4, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12) knitwise, K to end.
Row 2: BO 4(4, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12) purlwise, *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * across. (61(69, 73, 81, 85, 93, 97, 105, 109)
XS/S/M-ONLY
Row 3: sl1pw, K1, K2tog, K until 4 sts remain, ssk, K2. (59(67, 71)
Row 4: sl1pw, *P1, K1tbl repeat from * across. (59(67, 71)
Repeat Rows 3&4 1(4, 5) more times. (57(59, 61)
Move on to Upper Back.
L/XL/2X/3X/4X/5X
Row 3: sl2pw, pull the right st over the left st to BO1, BO(1, 1, 3, 5, 7, 7) more sts knitwise, K to end. (79(83, 89, 91, 97, 101)
Row 4: sl2pw, pull the right st over the left st to BO1, BO (1, 1, 3, 5, 7, 7) more sts purlwise, *P1, K1tbl repeat from * across. (77(81, 85, 85, 89, 93)
Row 5: sl1pw, K1, K2tog, K until 4 sts remain, ssk, K2. (75(79, 83, 83, 87, 91)
Row 6: sl1pw, *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * across. (75(79, 83, 83, 87, 91)
Repeat Rows 5&6 5(5, 5, 5, 6, 8) more times. (65(69, 73, 73, 75, 75)
Move on to Upper Back.
Upper Back:
Row 1: sl1pw, K across. (57(59, 61, 65, 69, 73, 73, 75, 75)
Row 2: sl1pw, *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * across. (57(59, 61, 65, 69, 73, 73, 75, 75)
Row 3: sl1pw, K across. (57(59, 61, 65, 69, 73, 73, 75, 75)
Row 4: sl1pw, *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * across. (57(59, 61, 65, 69, 73, 73, 75, 75)
Repeat Rows 1-4 5(4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 6) more times.
XS/S/XL/2X/5X
Repeat Rows 1-2.
BO all sts.
M/L/3X/4X
BO all sts.
Total Back Panel Rows 123(125, 129, 131, 133, 137, 139, 141, 143)
Front Right:
CO 45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Main Section:
Row 1(WS): *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * until last st, P1. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Row 2(RS): K all sts. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Row 3(WS): *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * until last st, KB1. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Row 4(RS): K all sts. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Repeat Rows 1-4, ending on a Row 4 repeat for a total of 92 rows
Arm Hole Shaping:
Row 1: BO 4(4, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12) purlwise, *P1, K1tbl, repeat from across. (41(45, 47, 51, 53, 57, 59, 63, 65)
XS/S/M-ONLY
Row 2: K until 4 sts remain, ssk, K2. (40(44, 46)
Row 3: sl1pw, *K1tbl, P1 repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1tbl. (40(44, 46)
Row 4: K until 4 sts remain, ssk, K2. (39(43, 45)
Row 5: sl1pw, *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * across. (39(43, 45)
XS
Move on to Upper Section.
S
Repeat Rows 2-5 one more time. (41)
Repeat Rows 2-3 one more time. (40)
Move on to Upper Section.
M
Repeat Rows 2-5 two more times. (41)
Move on to Upper Section.
L/XL/2X/3X/4X/5X
Row 2: K all sts. (51(53, 57, 59, 63, 65)
Row 3: sl2pw, pull the right st over the left st to BO1, BO (1, 1, 3, 5, 7, 7) more sts purlwise, *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * across. (49(51, 53, 53, 55, 57)
Row 4: K until 4 sts remain, ssk, K2. (48(50, 52, 52, 54, 56)
Row 5: sl1pw, *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1tbl. (48(50, 52, 52, 54, 56)
Row 6: K until 4 sts remain, ssk, K2. (47(49, 51, 51, 53, 55)
Row 7: sl1pw, *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * across. (47(49, 51, 51, 53, 55)
Repeat Rows 4-7 2(2, 2, 2, 2, 3) more times. (43(45, 47, 47, 49, 49)
L/XL/2X/3X
Move on to Upper Section.
4X/5X
Repeat Rows 4-5 1(1) more time. (48, 48)
Move on to Upper Section.
Upper Section:
XS/M/L/XL/2X/3X
Row 1: K across. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Row 2: sl1pw, *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * across. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Row 3: K across. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Row 4: sl1pw, *K1tbl, P1 repeat from * across. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Repeat Rows 1-4 5(5, 5, 5, 6, 7) more times.
XS/XL/2X
Repeat Rows 1-2.
BO all sts.
M/L/3X
BO all sts.
S/4X/5X
Row 1: K all sts. (40(48, 48)
Row 2: sl1pw, *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1tbl. (40(48, 48)
Row 3: K across. (40(48, 48)
Row 4: sl1pw, *P1, K1tbl repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1. (40(48, 48)
Repeat Rows 1-4 4(7, 6) more times.
S/5X
Repeat Rows 1-2.
BO all sts.
4X
BO all sts.
Total Front Panel Rows 123(125, 129, 131, 133, 137, 139, 141, 143)
Front Left:
CO 45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Main Section:
Row 1(WS): *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * until last st, P1. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Row 2(RS): K all sts. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Row 3(WS): *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * until last st, K1tbl. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Row 4(RS): K all sts. (45(49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)
Repeat Rows 1-4, ending on a Row 3 repeat for a total of 91 rows
Arm Hole Shaping:
Row 1: BO 4(4, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12) knitwise, K all remaining sts. (41(45, 47, 51, 53, 57, 59, 63, 65)
XS/S/M-ONLY
Row 2: *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * until last st, P1. (41(45, 47)
Row 3: sl1pw, K1, K2tog, K all remaining sts. (40(44, 46)
Row 4: *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * across. (40(44, 46)
Row 5: sl1pw, K1, K2tog, K all remaining sts. (39(43, 45)
XS
Move on to Upper Section.
S
Repeat Rows 2-5 one more time. (41)
Repeat Rows 2-3 one more time. (40)
Move on to Upper Section.
M
Repeat Rows 3-6 two more times. (41)
Move on to Upper Section.
L/XL/2X/3X/4X/5X
Row 2: *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * until last st, P1. (51(53, 57, 59, 63, 65)
Row 3: sl2pw, pull the right st over the left st to BO1, BO (1, 1, 3, 5, 7, 7) more sts knit wise, K all remaining sts. (49(51, 53, 53, 55, 57)
Row 4: *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1tbl. (49(51, 53, 53, 55, 57)
Row 5: sl1pw, K1, K2tog, K all remaining sts. (48(50, 52, 52, 54, 56)
Row 6: *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * across. (48(50, 52, 52, 54, 56)
Row 7: sl1pw, K1, K2tog, K all remaining sts. (47(49, 51, 51, 53, 55)
Repeat Rows 4-7 2(2, 2, 2, 2, 3) more times. (43(45, 47, 47, 49, 49)
L/XL/2X/3X
Move on to Upper Section.
4X/5X
Repeat Rows 4-5 1(1) more time. (48, 48)
Move on to Upper Section.
Upper Section:
XS/M/L/XL/2X/3X
Row 1: *K1tbl, P1 repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1tbl. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Row 2: sl1pw, K across. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Row 3: *P1, K1tbl, repeat from * until 1 st remains, P1. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Row 4: sl1pw, K across. (39(41, 43, 45, 47, 47)
Repeat Rows 1-4 5(5, 5, 5, 6, 7) more times.
XS/XL/2X
Repeat Rows 1-3.
BO all sts.
M/L/3X
Repeat Row 1.
BO all sts.
Upper Section:
S/4X/5X
Row 1: *P1, K1tbl repeat from * across. (40(48, 48)
Row 2: sl1pw, K all sts across. (40(48, 48)
Row 3: *K1tbl, P1, repeat from * across. (40(48, 48)
Row 4: sl1pw, K all sts across. (40(48, 48)
Repeat Rows 1-4 4(7, 6) more times.
S/5X
Repeat Rows 1-3.
BO all sts.
4X
Repeat Row 1.
BO all sts.
Total Front Panel Rows 123(125, 129, 131, 133, 137, 139, 141, 143)
Block all three panels, then move on to seaming.
Seaming:
Lay the panels RS up with shoulders touching. Then using your preferred seaming method, seam the shoulders from the outside in 3(3, 3.25, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5) inches each side. You will have approx. 8-10” of unworked stitches along the back panel for the neckline. The front panels will overlap.
Then fold the vest in half so the shoulder seams are at the top. Seam the sides together from the bottom to the armholes using your preferred seaming method.
Move on to collar.
Collar:
With US size 10 (6.00mm) 29” circular needles, and with the WS facing you, evenly pick up stitches along the neckline. Starting with the front left panel, working along the back panel and then the front right panel. Make sure to pick up an even amount of stitches.
Row 1-25: *P1, K1, repeat from * across.
Adjust the number of rows here for a longer or shorter collar.
BO using the tubular BO method.
Edging:
To finish the Wesson you will be adding an i-cord edging around the arm holes and along the front and bottom of the panels.
With US size 9(5.5mm) double point needles, CO 3 sts.
Armholes:
Starting in the underarm seam, with the WS facing you, pick up a stitch. Then slide the stitches to the right tip of the needle. K2, K2togtbl, 3 sts will now be on the right needle. Pick up another stitch along the arm hole, and repeat. Continue with the i-cord edging all the way around the arm hole. BO and seam ends together. Repeat on second armhole.
Front and bottom of vest:
Starting at the top of the collar on the front right panel, with WS facing you, work an i-cord edging down the front right panel, along the bottom of the vest and back up the front left panel ending at the top of the collar.
Belt:
With size 9 (5.5mm) needles, CO 12 sts.
Row 1: sl 1st st knit wise, P1,* K1, P1, repeat from * across.
Repeat Row 1 until belt measures 70(70, 75, 75, 80, 80, 85, 85, 90) inches long.
BO all sts. Weave in ends.
Belt Loops: (make two)
With size 9 (5.5mm) double point needles, CO 2 sts. Slide stitches to right side of needle.
Row 1: K all sts. (2)
Slide stitches to right side of needle.
Repeat until belt loop measures 2.25”
Using a tapestry needle, attach belt loops to the sides of the vest along the seam at your natural waist. Approx. 4-5” from the edge of the armhole.
Weave in any remaining ends and block if needed.
Thread belt through loops and enjoy!
Now go enjoy your brand new Wesson Vest! I’d love to see your finished Wesson. Make sure to tag me @meghanmakesdo on social media and use #thewessonvest so I can share.
As always you can find a digital PDF version of this pattern in my shop, Etsy or Ravelry. Or grab the complete kit from Lion Brand Yarn.
Happy Knitting!
Meghan
