Bumpa’s Vest

This vest was designed to be a special birthday gift for my dad – “Bumpa” to his grandchildren. Simple texture patterns combine to give interest to both the design and the knitting. Handy, knit-in pockets are a must for my dad – but are optional for your special man.

The design features a simple garter rib pattern below the armholes and garter stitch above, with a nice welt making the transition. After seaming, the front edges are trimmed with i-cord, which also forms the buttonholes. Shank-type buttons work best with this type of buttonhole.

The pattern is appropriate for an advanced beginner knitter. It consists of 5 pages, with a full schematic, and has been test knit and professionally tech edited to be clear and free of errors.

Sizing:
Finished chest circumference after seaming: 35 1/2 (39 1/2, 43, 49, 52 1/2, 56 1/2, 60) in/ 90.5 (101, 110, 125, 134, 144, 153) cm
Choose a finished measurement to give approx. 2 to 4 inches/ 5 to 10cm of ease when worn. Bumpa is modeling his with 3 inches/ 7.5cm of ease.

Gauge over 4 in/ 10cm:
garter rib pattern: 17 sts and 27 rows garter stitch pattern: 17.5sts and 34 rows

What You Need:
✦ Jamieson’s Shetland Heather Aran (100% Shetland Wool; 100 yds/92m per 1.75 oz/50g skein) color: #1340 – Midnight; 8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15) skeins. Or 761 (857, 948, 1063, 1176, 1286, 1429) yds/ 687 (771, 853, 957, 1059, 1157, 1286) m of similar aran or heavy worsted weight wool.
✦ Straight needles or a circular needle of sufficient length to hold sts for back in size required to obtain gauge. I used a US #7/ 4.5mm. You may need a size or two above or below that.
✦ One set of dpns for i-cord in same size as above
✦ 7 – 3/4 inch shank type buttons
✦ 3 stitch holders or scrap yarn
✦ tapestry needle for seaming