Knitting Patterns / June 15, 2022

Sterling Slipover – Knitting Pattern for Cabled Vest with V-Neck and Double Layer Hems [Size Inclusive]

Hi everyone!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Sterling Slipover – a sophisticated cabled vest worked up in our favourite worsted weight yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease!

Get the Lion Brand Knitting Kit here!

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, on my website here.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
Shop the recommended yarn, Lion Brand Wool-Ease, here!
- Get the full Lion Brand Knitting Kit here!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my new book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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ABOUT

The sleeveless Sterling Slipover is a sophisticated knitted vest featuring squishy cables running along a background of reverse-stockinette. Each element of this pattern was thoughtfully designed with comfort and style in mind. You’ll find a 2×2 ribbed edging that is folded over and seamed to the inside of the work to create a clean, double layer of fabric along both the neckline and sleeve openings, adding width to the shoulder area and allowing you to wear a bra without showing any straps. Sterling is practical, fashionable, and polished, down to the last detail.

Let this design shine on its own or try wearing over a collared button-up for a business-casual look.

MATERIALS

Yarn: Worsted—Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Fisherman

80% Acrylic, 20% Wool
197 yds (180 m) per 3-oz (85-g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com, or visit yarnsub.com for a list of substitutes
View this post for an extensive list of yarns used during testing
Get the full knit kit here! (You’ll get the PDF pattern for free and all the yarn required for your desired size!)

Yardage: 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins of Wool-Ease, or

516 (591, 693, 759, 894) (1077, 1142, 1268, 1345) yds
472 (540, 634, 694, 817) (985, 1044, 1159, 1230) m

Substitute Wool-Ease with any similar worsted weight, category #4 yarn. For a finished vest similar to the one shown, choose a yarn with similar properties, being mindful of the weight and yardage per skein.

Notions: Tapestry needle, cable needle, several stitch markers, an additional needle (of similar size) for 3 needle bind-off, scrap yarn or stitch holders for placing work on hold

Needles Required:

Main Gauge Needle – Size U.S. 9 (5.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge with the following recommended cord length:

32-40” (80-100 cm) cord for body, or cord long enough to accommodate all body sts for your size

Ribbing Needle – Size U.S. 6 (4 mm) or size that is 1.5 mm smaller than main gauge needle, with the recommended cord length:

16-20” (40-50 cm) cord

GAUGE

4 x 4″ (10 x 10 cm) = 23 sts and 26 rows in stockinette with main gauge (largest) needles, blocked.

Block your swatch the same way you would your finished slipover.
If your swatch is smaller than these measurements, go up a needle size. If your swatch is larger than these measurements, go down a needle size.

PATTERN NOTES

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This slipover is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row in italics. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.

Construction: This slipover is worked flat from the bottom-up in two separate panels: front and back. Each panel is shaped for the neckline and then joined at the shoulders using a 3-needle bind-off. Next, the sides are seamed using the mattress stitch. Lastly, you will pick up stitches to knit the mitred V-neck and armhole openings.

TECHNIQUES USED + HELPFUL LINKS

ABBREVIATIONS/TERMS USED

BOR: beginning of round

k: knit

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (single right-leaning decrease)

Insert your right needle into the next 2 sts knitwise, treating them as 1, and knitting them together.

M1R: make 1 right (single right-leaning increase)

Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the stitch you are about to knit, bringing the needle from back to front. Insert your right needle knitwise into the front leg of the strand you just picked up and knit this stitch as usual.

M1L: make 1 left (single left-leaning increase)

Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the stitch you are about to knit, bringing the needle from front to back. Insert your right needle knitwise into the back leg of the strand you just picked up and knit this stitch as usual.

p: purl

p1fb: purl 1 into front and back of a stitch; single purl increase

P2tog-tbl: purl 2 stitches together through the back loops; single decrease

patt: pattern
PM: place marker
rem: remaining
rep: repeat

rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side

sl1kw: slip 1 st knitwise

sl1pw: slip 1 st purlwise

SM: slip marker
SSK: slip slip knit (single left-slanting decrease)

Slip 1 st knitwise onto right needle, slip 1 more st knitwise onto right needle (this essentially twists the orientation of two stitches), then slide them both back to your left needle. Insert right needle through the back loops of both slipped sts and knit them together.

st(s): stitch(es)

WS: wrong side

YARNS/SUBSTITUTIONS

This pattern uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease, which seems to be everybody’s favourite worsted weight yarn – I know it’s definitely in my top 5!

One of the reasons the cables stay so nice and squishy is due to the fiber content: 20% wool; 80% acrylic. The acrylic helps to keep this yarn inexpensive, durable and machine-washable, while the wool provides a temperature-regulating effect and a really beautiful bounce to the fiber, helping to keep the shape of the cables.

If substituting, be mindful of a few things: the fiber content and the yardage per skein. Make sure the yardage per skein of your chosen yarn is similar to Wool-Ease. To compare this, it may be easiest to calculate the yardage per 100g of each yarn.

Other Lion Brand Yarns that will work in this pattern:

Chainette (70% Baby Alpaca, 18% Virgin Wool, 12% Polyamide)
Color Theory (100% Acrylic with an amazing colour palette and similar bounce to Wool-Ease)
Schitt’s Creek Yarn (100% Acrylic)
Basic Stitch (100% Anti-Pilling Acrylic)
Jeans (100% Acrylic – one of the softest acrylics I’ve ever used)
Pound of Love (100% Acrylic)
Vanna’s Choice (100% Acrylic)
Heartland (100% Acrylic)
Fishermen’s Wool (100% Pure Virgin Wool)
See other worsted weight yarns here