Child's Argyle Sweater Vest

Because I live in Georgia, sweater vests worked better than long sleeve sweaters for nicer wear.  After learning how to knit sweaters, I wanted to try the vests.  But plain wouldn't do!  Using some serious math and experimenting, I came up with these sweater vests. 

I made this brown Argyle for my oldest son who was 3.  It turned out to be a bit big, but I loved it.  After it turned out well, I made another for my younger son, who was 1.  Mathematically taking out the multiples made his vest fit perfectly.  So the sizing changes exponentially when making these Argyle sweaters. 

Here are the two boys in their matching sweaters.  They are both in college now.  Ah the memories.

I'll post the patterns here for both sweaters.  Once you have your gauge right, you can choose which pattern will work for you to get the correct size.  Or you can change your gauge too.  The math based pattern is inflexible; if you try to cut it off or change it, your lines won't work or you'll lose the design symmetry.  Scaling it down one stitch means you lose many stitches across the pattern, as you can see if you compare the two plans.

Check your gauge!  Know you are knitting the correct size before you get started.

I recommend also that you practice knitting in two colors, if you haven't already done that before.  The trick is to cross the yarn strands over each other in the back so that you don't get holes where the colors change. 

See how the yard loops form in the back of this argyle.  Be sure to loop the yarn around each other when you change color.  Note:  Ignore the x markings on the pattern until after the knitting is completed.

Argyle Sweater Size 12 months

Argyle Sweater pattern Size 5

You will need to make up small balls of yarn of your two alternate colors for the diamonds. 

I would make the back first, to be sure you like the length and shaping, then you can make changes to the above pattern before you've invested a lot into the Argyle pattern.  You could add or remove rows at the shoulder to lengthen or shorten it.  Or you could simply knit more rib knit at waist to lengthen it.   

To Start at waist:  Cast on the number of stitches listed at the bottom of the pattern, then work in rib knit for a few inches.  Knit a row, purl a row.  Knit 8 sts for size 12 months (10 sts for size 5) and knit the next stitch in Color 2, change to Color 1 and knit 15 (19), knit 1 st in yarn color 3, switch to color 1 and knit 15 (19), knit 1 st in yarn 2, knit 8 (10) sts in yarn 1 to end.  Turn and purl next row exactly as you knitted first row.

Next several rows, knit next row in plan, decreasing color 1 and increasing colors 2 and 3 in their diamond patterns.  Once the corners have only one sts of color 1 separating them, increase color 1 and decrease colors 2 and 3 until they disappear.  For example, the next row, knit 7 (9) sts in color 1, 3 sts in color 2, 14 (18) sts in color 1, 3 sts in color 3, 14 (18) sts in color 1, 3 sts in color 2, and knit to end in color 1.  Turn and repeat, purling this time to create the stockinette stitch.

Only change to the next row in the pattern once you've knit and purled the same row in the pattern.  Each square in the pattern represents two rows, a knit and a purl row. 

Neck and Armhole shaping:  Cast off stitches as the pattern shows.

X-markings:  Use these as a guide for your needlework.  Thread a dull tapestry needle with your contrasting color (pink in our example) and carefully sew a stitch into the two stitches where marked.  This forms the criss-crossing accent lines. 

Once front and back are completed, stitch left shoulder front to the corresponding shoulder back, right sides together.  Cast on one st in each st on the left side of the vest front and back neck.  Knit rib knit across for 4 rows, cast off.  Cast on one st for each st in the right side of the vest front, taking care to catch the new neck band in it.  Rib knit across 4 rows and cast off.  Stitch right shoulder together.  I used color 1 to do the arm bands and the neck bands, but feel free to use any of the colors in the design. 

Cast on one st for each st in the armholes, rib knit 4 rows and cast off.  Stitch side seams and clip yarn.


This classic look can be scaled up for adult sweaters in dark colors too.  Consider putting a button band in the center front of the vest for adult versions.  I made this design in my Christmas stockings, a subject of another post.  Most of all, enjoy the diversion of Argyle knitting!