In the world of knitting, patterns are like windows into a realm of creativity and craftsmanship. They offer knitters the opportunity to explore new techniques, experiment with various stitches, and ultimately create something beautiful with their own hands. If you loved Youth Peter Sweater than you’ll love the adult vest version, Peter Vest pattern. Combining simplicity with elegance, this free knitting pattern has quickly become a favorite among enthusiasts of all skill levels.
The Peter Vest pattern is celebrated for its versatility and timeless appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter looking for a quick project or a beginner eager to hone your skills, this pattern offers something for everyone. With its classic design, cables, and clean lines, the Peter Vest is perfect for layering over a shirt or dress, adding a touch of warmth and style to any outfit.
What sets the Peter Vest apart is its simplicity. Knit flat from the bottom up, this pattern features a straightforward construction that even novice knitters can master. The use of both charts and written instructions for the cables makes it accessible to adventurous beginners, while more experienced knitters will find it a fun and quick project.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Peter Vest pattern is that it’s available for free. If you prefer to download an ad-free PDF there is an option to purchase one on ravelry here but you can follow along with the instructions online on this blog post below for free! This pattern is easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This accessibility makes it easy for people on a budget to access the pattern.
The Peter Vest pattern calls for a worsted-weight yarn and is knit on straight needles. With detailed instructions and helpful tips included, even adventurous beginner knitters can tackle this project with confidence.
While the Peter Vest pattern provides a solid foundation, there’s plenty of room for creativity and personalization. Knitters can experiment with different yarn colors and textures to create a garment that reflects their individual style. Additionally, modifications such as adjusting the length can further tailor the vest to suit your preferences.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Peter Vest pattern also offers knitters a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. There’s something incredibly rewarding about transforming a skein of yarn into a wearable piece of art, and the Peter Vest pattern provides the perfect canvas for expressing your creativity.
In a world filled with fast fashion and mass-produced garments, there’s something special about creating your own clothing by hand. The Peter Vest pattern embodies the essence of handmade craftsmanship, inviting knitters to slow down, savor the process, and take pride in their work.
Whether you’re an experienced knitter or just starting out, the Peter Vest pattern is sure to captivate your imagination and inspire a few hours of joyful knitting. So grab your needles, choose your favorite worsted yarn, and embark on a knitting adventure with the Peter Vest pattern as your guide.
For an ad-free experience and to purchase a PDF version of Peter Vest on Ravelry, simply click here. Alternatively, if you prefer the free version of the pattern, feel free to continue scrolling down. The entire pattern is below!
Materials and Info
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: XS, S (M, L) 1X, 2X (3X, 4X)
Materials: Approximately 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 13) hanks of Valley Yarns Ashfield (worsted weigh 117yds/50g)
Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles and dpn, 6(US) 4mm circular and dpn
Gauge (tension): 22sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 74, 78 (82, 90) 98, 107 (119, 131) cm
METHOD
Peter Vest is bottom-up vest in worsted yarn. It is worked flat. Created as a sister to Peter Sweater which was for our 6th child. He wanted something with cables so I created a v-neck set-in sleeve sweater for him with this vest for myself in the back of my mind. I created it specifically to go over dresses so the bottom edge is supposed to sit at the natural waist.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on bust measurement for best fit
Row 1 (right side) – p4, 2/1RPC, 2/2LC, 2/1LPC, p4
Row 2 – k4, p2, k1, p4, k1, p2, k4
Row 3 – p3, 2/1RPC, p1, k4, p1, 2/1LPC, p3
Row 4 – k3, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k3
Row 5 – p2, 2/1RPC, p2, 2/2LC, p2, 2/1LPC, p2
Row 6 – k2, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 7 – p1, 2/1RPC, p3, k4, p3, 2/1LPC, p1
Row 8 – k1, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k1
Row 9 – 2/1RPC, p4, 2/2LC, p4, 2/1LPC
Row 10 – p2, k5, p4, k5, p2
Row 11 – 2/1LPC, p4, k4, p4, 2/1RPC
Row 12 – k1, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k1
Row 13 – p1, 2/1LPC, p3, 2/2LC, p3, 2/1RPC, p1
Row 14 – k2, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 15 – p2, 2/1LPC, p2, k4, p2, 2/1RPC, p2
Row 16 – k3, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k3
Row 17 – p3, 2/1LPC, p1, 2/2LC, p1, 2/1RPC, p3
Row 18 – k4, p2, k1, p4, k1, p2, k4
Row 19 – p4, 2/1LPC, k4, 2/1RPC, p4
Row 20 – k5, p8, k5
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across
Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
Peter Vest Pattern
BACK
Cast on using smaller circular needle: 90, 94 (98, 108) 116, 124 (138, 150) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.
Switch to larger needles.
Work in pattern until piece measures 23 cm measuring from cast on.
SHAPE BACK ARMHOLES
Cast off 4, 5 (5, 5) 5, 5 (5, 5) stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. 82, 84 (88, 98) 106, 114 (128, 140) sts
Decrease 1 st at each end of following 2, 2 (3, 4) 6, 7 (9, 12) rows. 78, 80 (82, 90) 94, 100 (110, 116) sts
Then decrease 1 st each end of every right side row 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 3 (5, 5) times 74, 76 (78, 86) 90, 94 (100, 106) sts
Continue without shaping until work measures 40, 40.5 (41, 42) 42.5, 43.5 (44, 45) cms from cast on edge.
SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS
Bind off 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (7, 8) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.
Bind off 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (7, 8) sts at beginning of row, k7, 8 (8, 8) 9, 10 (10, 10) [8, 9 (9, 9) 10, 11 (11, 11) sts on right needle].
Put remaining sts on stitch holder.
Turn, bind off 3sts, work to end of row.
Turn, bind off remaining 5, 6 (6, 6) 7, 8 (8, 8) sts
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 38, 38 (40, 42) 44, 46 (50, 52) knit remaining 13, 14 (14, 15) 16, 17 (18, 19) sts.
Turn, bind off 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (7, 8) sts
Turn, bind off 3sts, work remaining stitches.
Turn, bind off 5, 6 (6, 6) 7, 8 (8, 8) sts
FRONT
Provisional cast on using smaller circular needle: 90, 94 (98, 108) 116, 124 (138, 150) sts. Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 4cms.
Switch to larger needles.
Set-up Row 1: k[30, 32 (34, 39) 43, 47 (54, 60)] p2, k2, p2, pm (Peter Center Cable marker) p5, (m1, k1) 4 times, p5, pm, p2, k2, p2, k[30, 32 (34, 39) 43, 47 (54, 60)]
94, 98 (102, 112) 120, 128 (142, 154) sts
Set-up Row 2: p[30, 32 (34, 39) 43, 47 (54, 60)] k2, p2, k7, p8, k7, p2, k2, p[30, 32 (34, 39) 43, 47 (54, 60)]
Work in pattern, working Peter Center Cable between markers, until piece measures 23 cm measuring from cast on.
Work armhole shaping and AT THE SAME TIME start front neck shaping when work measures 29, 29 (29, 29) 29.5, 29.5 (29, 29) cm
SHAPE FRONT ARMHOLES
Cast off 4, 5 (5, 5) 5, 5 (5, 5) stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. 82, 84 (88, 98) 106, 114 (128, 144) sts
Decrease 1 st at each end of following 2, 2 (3, 4) 6, 7 (9, 12) rows. 78, 80 (82, 90) 94, 100 (110, 120) sts
Then decrease 1 st each end of every right side row 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 3 (5, 5) times 74, 76 (78, 86) 90, 94 (100, 110) sts
LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Work 39, 40 (41, 44) 46, 47 (52, 56) sts, put remaining sts on holder, turn.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next and following 18, 16 (18, 18) 18, 18 (18, 18) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at each end of each right side row 6, 8 (7, 8) 9, 10 (12, 13) times.
15, 16 (16, 18) 19, 20 (22, 24) sts remain.
Continue without shaping until work measures 40, 40.5 (41, 42) 42.5, 43.5 (44, 45) cms from cast on edge.
LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a right side row, bind off 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (7, 8) sts, turn.
Bind off 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (7, 8) then work to end of row, turn.
Bind off remaining 5, 6 (6, 6) 7, 8 (8, 8) sts.
RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Rejoin yarn to work on stitch holder.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next and following 18, 16 (18, 18) 18, 18 (18, 18) rows.
Then decrease 1 st at each end of each right side row 6, 8 (7, 8) 9, 10 (12, 13) times.
15, 16 (16, 18) 19, 20 (22, 24) sts remain.
Continue without shaping until work measures 40, 40.5 (41, 42) 42.5, 43.5 (44, 45) cms from cast on edge.
RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a wrong side row, bind off 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (7, 8) sts, turn.
Bind off 5, 5 (5, 6) 6, 6 (7, 8) then work to end of row, turn.
Bind off remaining 5, 6 (6, 6) 7, 8 (8, 8) sts.
NECKBAND
Sew shoulder seams.
Pick up and knit 27, 28 (28, 30) 32, 33 (36, 38) sts down left front,
1 st at center of “v”, pm,
Pick up and knit 27, 28 (28, 30) 32, 33 (36, 38) sts up right front,
Pick up and knit 45, 45 (47, 49) 51, 53 (57, 59) sts around back.
Join in the round. 100, 102 (104, 110) 116, 120 (130, 136) sts
V-Neck rounds – work in k1p1 ribbing to 2 sts before center stitch marker, work vdd, continue in k1p1 around
Continue repeating v-neck rounds until the neck measures 2.5cms.
Bind off in pattern.
ARMBANDS
Pick up and knit 2sts for every 3 rows of arm making sure there is an even number of stitchs.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 2cms.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block as desired.
Abbreviations
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
K2tog -knit 2 stitches together
SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together
M1L – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches front to back. Knit through back loop
M1R – With left needle pick up strand between 2 stitches back to front. Knit through front loop
2/1LPC – slip the next 2sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, p1 from left needle, then k2 from cable needle
2/1RPC – slip, the next st onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k2 from left needle, them p1 from cable needle
2/2LC – slip the next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, k2 from left needle, k2 from cable needle
VDD – vertical double decrease – slip the next 2 sts together as if to knit, knit the next st, pass over the 2 slipped sts together
