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Small Things men's vest Pattern

Small Things men's vest Pattern
4.3★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
1.5K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

👕

Casual Chic

Relaxed style with a modern twist, perfect for everyday wear while maintaining that handcrafted uniqueness.

About This Small Things men's vest Pattern

This pattern creates a refined mens vest with braided cable panels and ribbed edges, worked seamlessly from the neck down. It uses tailored English shoulders and V‑neck shaping so the front halves are picked up and joined precisely. The body is worked in the round after joining front and back, and armholes and neckline are finished with neat ribbing. Charts and written instructions are included for all sizes.

Small Things men's vest Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Youll follow several charted panels and shaping charts to build the garment, then finish with picked‑up ribbing for clean edges. The pattern gives detailed stitch counts, needle recommendations, and finishing steps for professional results.

Why You'll Love This Small Things men's vest Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines classic cable texture with modern, seamless construction that looks tailored and wearable. I enjoy how the tailored English shoulders give a neat, professional finish at the neckline and shoulders. The charted cable repeats are satisfying to work and create an elegant, understated surface. I also love that the pattern includes clear pickup, ribbing, and finishing instructions so the final garment looks as good off the needles as it does on. Working this vest gives a great balance of technique practice and a useful wearable outcome.

Small Things men's vest Pattern step 1 - construction progress Small Things men's vest Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Small Things men's vest Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Small Things men's vest Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize this vest for different looks by changing yarn colorways; a heather or tonal yarn highlights the cables differently than a solid color.

I often substitute a heavier or lighter weight yarn to change the finished size and feel—use a bulkier yarn and larger needles for a chunkier vest or fingering/twist yarn for a finer drape.

I sometimes omit or reduce the number of vertical cable repeats to make a slimmer silhouette; adjust stitch counts evenly across the pattern to keep the stitch multiple intact.

I like to add contrast for the neck and armhole ribbing by using a different color for the picked-up rib sections to create a subtle trim effect.

Try lengthening or shortening the body before switching to ribbing to create a shorter tank-style vest or a longer tunic-length piece depending on the wearers preference.

For a softer neckline, work fewer V-neck rounds or shallow decreases and bind off earlier to make a gentler scoop rather than a deep V.

I sometimes swap the k3,p1 side panel inserts for a simple k2,p2 rib to make a cleaner modern look—be sure to adjust the transition chart accordingly.

If you want a sportier feel, use a yarn with synthetic content for added durability and a bit more structure—this is great for everyday wearers.

To make this vest more casual, try a relaxed block and a bit of steeking on the rib edges before finishing, then tidy the edges with a sewn hem for wash-and-wear convenience.

I often add internal chest pockets by knitting bands and sewing them into the side seam before final seaming; use them sparingly to avoid adding bulk across the front panels.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not checking gauge before starting; always knit a gauge swatch on the recommended needles, block it, and measure to ensure the finished garment will fit correctly. ✗ Skipping placement of markers at the setup rows and shoulder joins; place markers as instructed to keep chart repeats and shaping aligned throughout the work. ✗ Breaking the working yarn too early when shaping fronts or shoulders; leave the long yarn tails specified to allow for joining and secure seaming later. ✗ Picking up the wrong number of stitches for armhole or neckline finishes; pick up stitches at the rate specified (3 sts per 4 rows) and adjust so totals are multiples required by the pattern. ✗ Ignoring chart orientation when working in the round vs back-and-forth; always read charts bottom-to-top and right-to-left for rounds, and follow RS/WS reading instructions for flat sections.

Small Things men's vest Pattern

Make a refined, cable‑textured men's vest worked seamlessly from the neck down. This pattern guides you through tailored English shoulders, V‑neck shaping, and worked‑in ribbed finishes so you can create a polished garment. Clear charts and step‑by‑step instructions help you follow the shaping and cable motifs with confidence. Perfect for knitters who love detailed stitchwork and smart finishing techniques.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Small Things men's vest Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Yaka by Dye Dye Done (60% merino wool, 20% silk, 20% yak), 366 m / 100 g [400 yds / 3.5 oz]
  • 02
    Size 32-34: total yarn amount needed 350 g [12.3 oz]
  • 03
    Size 34-36: total yarn amount needed 370 g [13.0 oz]
  • 04
    Size 38-40: total yarn amount needed 400 g [14.1 oz]
  • 05
    Size 40-42: total yarn amount needed 430 g [15.2 oz]
  • 06
    Size 44-46: total yarn amount needed 470 g [16.6 oz]
  • 07
    Size 48-50: total yarn amount needed 500 g [17.6 oz]
  • 08
    Size 52-54: total yarn amount needed 520 g [18.3 oz]
  • 09
    Size 56-58: total yarn amount needed 550 g [19.4 oz]

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Circular knitting needles 2.25 mm [US1]
  • 02
    Circular knitting needles 2.75 mm [US2]
  • 03
    Stitch markers
  • 04
    Tapestry needle
  • 05
    Cable needle
  • 06
    Stitch holder
  • 07
    Spare circular or extra cords for shoulder setup (auxiliary yarn)
  • 08
    Scissors
  • 09
    Blocking supplies (pins, mat)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Order of Work :

Info :

This pattern contains instructions for the following sizes in the indicated order: 32 6; 34 6 (38 6; 40 6; 44 6) (48 6; 52 6; 56 6).

Begin of work :

Using 2.75 mm [US2] needles and preferred cast-on method, cast on 51; 51 (57; 57; 57) (65; 65; 65) sts.

Info :

Work Setup Row on the WS as follows: Setup Row according to Chart #2 for the appropriate size, place marker 2; Repeat Setup Row according to Main Pattern Chart for all sizes 2 times; place marker 1; Setup Row according to Chart #1 for the appropriate size.

Info :

Continue, working Upper Back shaping, increasing 1 st each in every row at both ends of the row.

Info :

Work increases as follows:

Row 1 (RS) :

work the next row of Chart #1 for the appropriate size; k3, LLI, then work in Main Pattern to marker 1, slip marker 1 to right needle; repeat the next chart row of the pattern repeat for the Main Pattern 2 times width-wise, slip marker 2 to right needle; then work the next row of Chart #2 for the appropriate size: work in Main Pattern to last 3 sts of this row, RLI, k3.

Row 2 (WS) :

work the next row of Chart #2 for the appropriate size: p3, LLI-p, then work in Main Pattern to marker 2, slip marker 2 to right needle; repeat the next chart row of the pattern repeat for the Main Pattern 2 times width-wise, slip marker 1 to right needle; then work the next row of Chart #1 for the appropriate size: work in Main Pattern to last 3 sts of this row, RLI-p, p3.

Info :

Repeat Rows 1 62 as often as listed in written instructions and shown in chart to reach the required Back width at shoulder level.

Row 3 (RS) :

Work Row 1 of Chart #3 for the appropriate size; slip marker 1 to right needle; repeat the next chart row of the pattern repeat for the Main Pattern 2 times width-wise; slip marker 2 to right needle; then work Row 1 of Chart #4 for the appropriate size.

Row 4 (WS) :

Work the next row of Chart #4 for the appropriate size; slip marker 2 to right needle; repeat the next chart row of the pattern repeat for the Main Pattern 2 times width-wise; slip marker 1 to right needle; then work the next row of Chart #3 for the appropriate size.

Row 5 (RS) :

Work the next row of Chart #3 for the appropriate size; slip marker 1 to right needle; repeat the next chart row of the pattern repeat for the Main Pattern 2 times width-wise; slip marker 2 to right needle; then work the next row of Chart #4 for the appropriate size.

Info :

Continue working in the established manner, repeating Rows 4 and 5 until the piece has reached a height of 19; 20 (20; 21; 22) (22.5; 22.5; 23.5) cm [7.5; 7.9 (7.9; 8.3; 8.7) (8.9; 8.9; 9.3) in] from cast-on row. Do not break the working yarn.

Info :

Set the sts of the Back temporarily aside.

Info :

Right side of the fabric facing up, join new working yarn to the upper left edge of the Back piece. Right side of the fabric facing up, along the edge of the Left Shoulder, pick up and knit 42; 44 (46; 48; 50) (50; 52; 56) sts, then continue, shaping the V-neck, according to Chart #7 Shaping Left Front.

Info :

After having completed all rows of Chart #7, break the working yarn, leaving an end of 15 cm [5.9 in]. Set the sts of the Left Front temporarily aside.

Info :

Right side of the fabric facing up, join new working yarn on the to the bottom edge of the Right Shoulder, and along the edge of the Right Shoulder, right side of the fabric facing up, pick up and knit 42; 44 (46; 48; 50) (50; 52; 56) sts, then continue according to Chart #8 Shaping Right Front, shaping the V-neck. Complete all chart rows of Chart #8. Do not break the working yarn.

Info :

In the following RS row, join the Right and the Left Front. For this, work the stitches of the Right Front in the established pattern, and, without turning work, continue working over the stitches of the Left Front, with both the yarn tail from the Left Front and the current working yarn held together.

Info :

Continue working in Main Pattern in the established order until the piece has reached a height of 19; 20 (20; 21; 22) (22.5; 22.5; 23.5) cm [7.5; 7.9 (7.9; 8.3; 8.7) (8.9; 8.9; 9.3) in] from cast-on row, measured on the interior edge of the neckline.

Info :

Important! To keep the stitch pattern symmetrical during the following parts, it is crucial that both the Front and the Back at this stage end with the same row of the pattern repeat. If necessary, work more rows of the stitch pattern.

Info :

Work the next WS row as follows: p3; 3 (4; 6; 4) (5; 3; 3), place marker M2, continue working in the established pattern to last 3; 3 (4; 6; 4) (5; 3; 3) sts of this row, place marker M1, p3; 3 (4; 6; 4) (5; 3; 3).

Info :

Then, begin armhole shaping on the Front, increasing 1 st each at both ends of the row in every RS row:

Next Row 1 (RS) :

work to marker M1 according to Chart #5 Armhole Shaping for the appropriate size, slip marker M1 to right needle, increase 1 st by working LLI, work in established pattern to marker M2, increase 1 st by working RLI according to the chart, slip marker M2 to right needle, work to end of row according to Chart #6 Armhole Shaping for the appropriate size.

Row 2 (WS) :

work to marker M2 according to Chart #6 Armhole Shaping for the appropriate size, slip marker M2 to right needle, work in established pattern to marker M1, slip marker M1 to right needle, work to end of row according to Chart #5 Armhole Shaping for the appropriate size.

Info :

Work Rows 1 and 2 a total of 8; 8 (11; 13; 11) (10; 12; 12) times.

Info :

You now have a total of 170; 170 (176; 188; 186) (184; 208; 216) sts for the Front.

Info :

Work armhole shaping for the Back the same way, using markers to separate the respective 3 outmost sts on each side: place markers M4 and M3. Break the working yarn, leaving an end of 15 cm [5.9 in].

Info :

You now have a total of 149; 155 (171; 179; 179) (185; 193; 201) sts for the Back.

Info :

In the following row, join Front and Back as follows: Work over the stitches of the Front in established pattern, pick up and knit 9; 9 (17; 17; 29) (41; 41; 45) sts, work over the stitches of the Back in established pattern, pick up and knit 9; 9 (17; 17; 29) (41; 41; 45) sts, place BoR marker.

Info :

You now have a total of 337; 343 (381; 401; 423) (451; 483; 507) sts.

Info :

Continue working in earlier established order in Main Pattern between markers M1 and M2; M3 and M4; work the side panel inserts between markers M2 and M3; M4 and M1 as "k3, p1". *(k3, p1), repeat from * 2; 2 (4; 4; 7) (10; 10; 11) times, k3.

Info :

Work in established pattern for either 29; 31 (33; 35; 37) (39; 41; 43) cm [11.4; 12.2 (13; 13.8; 14.6) (14.6; 16.1; 17) in] from where Front and Back had been joined, or until piece is 6.0 cm [2.4 in] shorter than desired total length of garment.

Info :

Change to 2.25 mm [US1] needles and continue, working transition to "k2, p2" ribbing. For the Main Pattern, work transition to ribbing according to Transition to ribbing Chart #1; for the side panel inserts, which are worked in "k3, p1" ribbing, according to Transition to ribbing Chart #2.

Info :

Work ribbing for 6.0 cm [2.4 in], then bind off all sts.

Info :

In preparation for armhole finishing, join new working yarn to center bottom point of armhole. Change to 2.25 mm [US1] needles and continue. Place BoR marker. Then, pick up and knit stitches around the armhole edge at a rate of 3 sts picked up from every 4 rows. The total number of picked-up stitches needs to be a multiple of 4. Join work into the round.

Info :

Continue working as follows: slip BoR marker to right needle, then work * k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round. After having worked 12 rounds in this manner, remove BoR marker, bind off all sts. Finish the other armhole edge the same way.

Info :

In preparation for neckline finishing, join new working yarn to center of Back neckline. Place BoR marker. Then, pick up and knit stitches around the neckline edge at a rate of 3 sts picked up from every 4 rows up to the center bottom point of the neckline. Place marker 1. The total stitch count between BoR marker and marker 1 needs to be a multiple of 4+1 extra stitch. Knit the 2 sts in the center bottom of the neckline, place marker 2. Then, pick up and knit sts along the right half of the neckline at a rate of 3 sts picked up from every 4 rows, to the BoR marker. The total stitch count between marker 2 and BoR marker needs to be a multiple of 4+1 extra stitch. Join work into the round.

Info :

Work as follows: p1, * k2, p2, repeat from * to marker 1, slip marker 1 to right needle, k2, slip marker 2 to right needle, *p2, k2, repeat from * to 1 st before BoR marker, p1.

Info :

For V-neck shaping of the neckband, then work as follows: Slip BoR marker to right needle, p1, work in earlier established pattern to 2 sts before marker 1, p2tog, slip marker 1 to right needle, k2, slip marker 2 to right needle, p2tog, work in earlier established pattern to BoR marker.

Info :

After having worked 12 rounds in this manner, remove markers, bind off all sts.

Info :

Moisten the garment, and spread it out on an even horizontal surface to block, then leave until completely dry. Weave in all remaining ends. Happy knitting! 5

Assembly Instructions

  • Join the two front halves: after shaping the right and left fronts and completing their charts, join the Right and Left Front in a RS row by working the Right Front stitches then continuing without turning over the Left Front stitches with both yarn tails held together.
  • Pick up and knit stitches for armhole finishing: join yarn to center bottom point of each armhole, place BoR marker, pick up and knit stitches at a rate of 3 sts per 4 rows (total must be a multiple of 4), join in the round and work k2, p2 rib for 12 rounds, then bind off.
  • Pick up and knit neckline stitches: join yarn to center of Back neckline, place BoR marker, pick up and knit at a rate of 3 sts per 4 rows to center bottom point, place marker 1, knit 2 sts in center bottom and place marker 2, pick up and knit along right half to BoR marker, join, work rib as instructed and shape V-neck with decreases (p2tog) as directed, then bind off after 12 rounds.
  • Set aside and later join Back stitches: when Upper Back shaping is complete, set the Back sts aside, then pick up and knit the Shoulder and Front edge sts as directed, completing Chart #7 and Chart #8 before joining the fronts together.
  • Block and finish: moisten the completed vest, spread it flat on an even surface to block to measurements, allow to dry completely, then weave in all remaining ends for a neat finish.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to keep track of chart repeats, shoulder joins, and the BoR position to maintain correct pattern placement throughout construction.
  • 💡When picking up stitches for armholes and neckline, pick up at the rate of 3 stitches for every 4 rows and adjust to make the total a multiple of the number required by the rib pattern.
  • 💡Switch needle sizes as instructed: work the main pattern on 2.75 mm [US2] and change to 2.25 mm [US1] for ribbing to obtain the correct fabric density for edges.

This elegant cable vest is designed for timeless style and comfortable wear. The neck‑down construction and tailored shoulders give a polished finish youll be proud to wear. Whether you knit it for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, its a project that rewards patience and attention to detail. 🧶👔

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

Finished measurements depend on the size you select; chest circumference ranges are provided in the sizing chart and the pattern is worked to match those measurements—measure your gauge swatch and compare to the gauge to choose the best size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can use different yarn weights, but stitch gauge, resulting fabric drape and final size will change; if substituting yarn, knit a full blocked gauge swatch and adjust needle sizes to achieve 34 sts and 42 rows = 10x10 cm in stockinette on 2.75 mm needles before proceeding.

Do I need prior knitting experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes familiarity with reading charts, cable techniques, picked-up stitches, and working in the round; experience with increases like LLI/RLI and reading shaping charts is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most knitters will spend around 12-15 hours on this vest depending on size and experience, though larger sizes and careful blocking may extend the time required.