In today’s free tutorial, I’ll show you how to knit the flat version of the DUO Knitted Vest using two needles. If you prefer knitting in the round, the circular version is available in the PDF patterns. Choosing the circular method allows you to skip sewing the sides at the end.
The DUO Knitted Vest is worked as a single piece and then joined at the sides to create its final shape.
We’ll begin by knitting the lower front section, then separate the stitches to shape one armhole, the neckline, and the shoulder. Next, we’ll repeat the process to form the other side of the neckline. Once the front is complete, we’ll join the two shoulders at the back of the neck and knit the back panel. Finally, we’ll pick up the reserved neck stitches to knit the back neckband and finish the vest.
AVAILABLE SIZES OF THE DUO REVERSIBLE KNITTED VEST
In today’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to knit the DUO Reversible Knit Vest in size S. This is the size featured in the photos at the end of the post, but the pattern is also available in sizes M, L, and XL.
If you prefer a different size or want to knit your Reversible Vest in size S but need more detailed, step-by-step instructions, the downloadable and printable PDF pattern is available to guide you row by row and stitch by stitch. Additionally, the PDF includes instructions for knitting in the round, so you can skip the side seams if that’s your preference.
Click here or on the image below to choose your size and get started!
To know what size you need, you only need to know your bust size and decide if you prefer it tighter or looser.
Size S. For chest circumferences between 82-90 cm + approximate clearance of 10 cm. (100 cm. chest circumference of the finished garment)
Size M. For chest circumferences between 90-98 cm + approximate clearance of 10 cm. (108 cm. chest circumference of the finished garment)
Size L. For chest circumferences between 98-105 cm + approximate clearance of 10 cm. (115cm. chest circumference of the finished garment)
Size XL. For chest circumferences between 105-115 cm + approximate clearance of 5 cm. (120 cm. chest circumference of the finished garment)
As with all my patterns, you can choose to purchase just one size individually or get all four sizes of the DUO Knit Vest pattern at a discounted bundle price. Click here to access all four sizes at a great value!
Materials to knit the DUO Reversible Vest
- 6 balls of 50gr. of Cotton Merino Concept by Katia (50 gr = 105 m). Color 106 Light Grey
- 5mm straight knitting needles
- 2 stitch guard needles
- Wool needle
Tension Sample
17 stitches x 24 rows in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking.
Stitches, Techniques, and Abbreviations Used in the DUO Knitted Vest
- Cast on stitches
- Knit stitch (K st)
- Purl stitch (P st)
- Knit rib stitch 1×1 (PE): Alternate 1 K st, 1 P st.
- Simple decrease (dec): Slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit the next stitch, and pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch.
- Knit two stitches together (K2tog)
- Purl two stitches together (P2tog)
- Right-leaning increase (M1R)
- Left-leaning increase (M1L)
- Bind off stitches
- Invisible side seam
- Invisible vertical seam (Kitchener stitch)
How to Knit the DUO Reversible Vest (Size S) on Two Needles
Important Note
For this pattern, all stitches on even rows should be knitted as they appear:
- If a stitch appears as knit, knit it.
- If a stitch appears as purl, purl it.
Exceptions will be clearly stated in the instructions.
Front Section:
Knit the Bottom and Front Body
- Cast on 95 stitches.
- Work 16 rows in 1×1 Rib as follows:
- Odd rows: Alternate 1 K st, 1 P st to the end.
- Even rows: Knit the stitches as they appear: 1 P st, 1 K st to the end.
Once the bottom of the knitted vest is completed, on row 17 and odd rows up to row 87, you must knit 8 sl st (Rib Stitch), 31 sts.k, 17 sl st, 31 sts.k, 8 sl st.
Knit even rows as they come.
Forming the Armhole and Right Neckline
At this stage, we’ll begin shaping the armholes and V-neckline.
On the next purl row, knit 8 selvedge stitches, purl 31 stitches, and knit 8 selvedge stitches. Place the 47 stitches just worked on a stitch holder. Then, continue by knitting 2 stitches together, knitting 7 selvedge stitches, purling 31 stitches, and knitting 8 selvedge stitches.
From here on, you will only work the stitches that form the right shoulder of the vest.
To shape both the armhole and neckline, decrease 1 stitch on the odd rows for the armhole area, and 1 stitch every two odd rows for the neckline.
Start the decreases 8 stitches in from the edge of the work. After knitting the 8 rib stitches, do a simple decrease (surjete). When you have 10 stitches left in the row, knit 2 together and finish with the last 8 stitches in rib.
Example Decrease Rows:
- Row 89: 8 PE, dec, 27 K, K2tog, 8 PE
- Row 91: 8 PE, dec, 27 K, 8 PE
- Row 93: 8 PE, dec, 24 K, K2tog, 8 PE
Continue decreasing in this pattern until you have 35 stitches remaining on your needle.
Once we have obtained these 35 stitches, we have finished decreasing to form the armhole of the Knitted Vest with two needles, but we will continue decreasing every two odd rows to shape the neckline area until we obtain 26 stitches.
Knit the Right Front Shoulder
To complete the right shoulder, knit 11 more rows without any decreases. Be sure to knit the first 8 and last 8 stitches in Rib Stitch (PE) on each row.
Once finished, place the 26 stitches on a stitch holder for later use.
Form the armhole, neckline and left shoulder
Once the first armhole, neckline and shoulder have been formed, we will resume the stitches reserved for the other part by returning them to our working needle.
You should knit in the same way; decreasing 1 stitch on the odd rows in the armhole area and 1 stitch every 2 odd rows in the neckline area until you have 355 stitches, continue decreasing only every 2 odd rows in the neckline area until you have 26 stitches and finish by knitting 11 more rows to give it height.
Knit the Back of the Reversible Knit Vest
Join the Two Shoulders at the Back of the Neck
Once the front is complete, it’s time to join the two shoulders at the back of the neck to continue with the back of the vest.
- In a purl (even) row, knit 8 selvedge stitches (sl sts), purl 10 stitches, and place the next 8 ribbed stitches on a stitch holder.
- Cast on 43 stitches.
- Transfer the 8 stitches from the opposite shoulder (previously set aside) to the working needle, excluding the 8 selvedge stitches closest to the neckline, which will remain on the holder.
- Knit 10 stitches, then purl the 8 selvedge stitches to complete the row.
After knitting this row you will end up with 79 stitches on your working needle and two stitch holder needles on either side of the neckline with 8 stitches on each.
Knit the upper back area
To form the upper back area, knit these 79 sts for 44 rows. You will continue to form the pattern by knitting 8 sl st, K 23 sts, 17 sl st, K 23 sts, 8 sl sts on the odd rows and on the even rows all the sts as they present themselves.
Form the armholes
To form the armholes, begin increasing 1 stitch on each side, 8 stitches from the edges, until you have a total of 95 stitches. For the first row of increases, start by knitting 8 selvedge stitches (sl sts), then increase 1 stitch to the left (M1L). Knit 23 stitches, followed by 17 selvedge stitches (sl sts), and then knit another 23 stitches. Finally, increase 1 stitch to the right (M1R) and knit the last 8 selvedge stitches. Continue increasing in this way on each row until you reach the desired stitch count.
Once you have finished your increasing rows, knit these 95 stitches for 72 more rows, maintaining the pattern, and finish with 16 more rows of Rib. Cast off all the stitches.
Knit the back of the neck area
To knit the back of the neck area, return the 8 reserved stitches to your working needle and knit 43 rows in Rib Stitch. Once finished, without casting off, join these 8 stitches to the other 8 stitches on the stitch holder using a vertical blind seam or Kitchener Stitch. If you prefer, you can close the stitches and sew them in a way that feels most comfortable, aiming to make the seam as discreet as possible.
Once the two parts are joined, sew the neck to the base.
Final finishes
Fold the garment over the shoulders and sew the sides using an invisible side seam, stopping at the Elastic Stitch area to leave a small opening. It’s crucial to ensure the seam is as invisible and uniform as possible on both the inside and outside, so your knitted vest remains reversible and can be worn on either side.
If done correctly, the seam will be virtually invisible; however, if you choose to knit your DUO Vest in the round, you can skip this step. The round version is available in the PDF pattern.
Once finished, tie up any loose ends. While blocking is not required, soaking the garment in warm water, removing excess water with a towel, and letting it dry on a flat surface will help even out the stitches and achieve the best results.
