A282 Ladies Crossover Vest

A282 Ladies Crossover Vest

This fashionable vest is a great project for intermediate knitters.

How to Knit a Ladies Crossover Vest

Create a stylish knitted crossover vest featuring a textured lace front, classic ribbed back and a flattering wrap-style silhouette. This fashionable sleeveless garment is an intermediate knitting project and creates a versatile layering piece suitable for everyday wear.

The vest is knitted in separate back and front pieces before being joined together. The crossover fronts are shaped individually and sewn diagonally across the body to create the distinctive wrap effect.

Project: Ladies Crossover Vest

Pattern: A282

Craft type: Knitting

Difficulty: Intermediate

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large

What You Will Need

Materials

  • Merino Special yarn
  • Yarn quantities vary depending on size

Equipment

  • 5mm knitting needles
  • Wool needle for sewing seams and finishing
  • Stitch holders
  • Scissors
  • Coloured thread or stitch markers for sewing guides

Alternative Yarns

This crossover vest is designed using Merino Special yarn. When selecting an alternative yarn, choose a yarn with similar thickness, elasticity and drape to maintain the shape of the crossover front.

  • 8ply Merino Yarn – provides softness, warmth and natural stretch.
  • 8ply Wool Blend Yarn – creates a durable everyday garment.
  • Bamboo Blend Yarn – offers softness and a lightweight drape.
  • Cotton Blend Yarn – suitable for a lighter seasonal vest.
Helpful hint: Always knit a tension square before starting. A change in yarn thickness can affect the crossover positioning and finished fit.

Measurements

Refer to the pattern measurement chart for your chosen size.

  • The vest is designed with a crossover front and fitted shoulder shaping.
  • Finished measurements depend on the selected size.

Tension

  • 16 stitches x 22 rows = 10cm x 10cm over stocking stitch

Knitting Abbreviations

  • K: knit
  • P: purl
  • K2tog: knit two stitches together
  • Sl: slip stitch
  • PSSO: pass slipped stitch over
  • Yfwd: yarn forward
  • Rep: repeat
  • St(s): stitch(es)
Pattern note: The lace pattern uses yarn forwards and slipped stitches to create the open textured design. If there are insufficient stitches to complete a full lace repeat, work those stitches in stocking stitch instead.

Construction Overview

The Ladies Crossover Vest is created in four main sections:

  1. Knit the back piece with rib texture.
  2. Knit the left and right crossover front pieces with lace pattern.
  3. Join shoulders and side seams.
  4. Sew the crossover fronts into position.

Knit the Back

  1. Using 5mm needles, cast on stitches according to your chosen size.
  2. Work K1, P1 rib:
    Row 1: K2, *P1, K1, repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
  3. Row 2: K1, *P1, K1, repeat from * across.
  4. Continue rib pattern until the back measures approximately 34cm from the beginning.

Shape the Armholes

  1. Cast off stitches at the beginning of the next two rows.
  2. Decrease one stitch at each end of the next row.
  3. Continue decreasing every alternate row until the required stitch count remains.
  4. Continue rib until shoulder shaping begins.

Shape the Shoulders

  1. Cast off shoulder stitches as instructed.
  2. Cast off remaining neckline stitches in rib.

Knit the Left Front

  1. Cast on stitches according to your chosen size.
  2. Begin lace pattern:
    K4, *Yfwd, slip 1, K2tog, PSSO, Yfwd, K3, repeat from *.
  3. Work the lace pattern while shaping the side edge.
  4. Continue until the front measures approximately 50cm from the beginning.

Shape Left Front Armhole

  1. Cast off stitches at the armhole edge.
  2. Decrease according to the pattern instructions.
  3. Continue shaping until the required shoulder stitches remain.

Shape Left Shoulder

  1. Cast off shoulder stitches.
  2. Cast off remaining stitches.

Knit the Right Front

Work the right front as a mirror image of the left front.

  1. Follow the same lace pattern.
  2. Reverse the shaping instructions.
  3. Complete armhole and shoulder shaping.

Assembly

  1. Join shoulder seams.
  2. Join side seams from the armhole shaping down to the marked points.
  3. Match the coloured thread markers.
  4. Sew the lower shaped edges of the crossover fronts into position.
  5. Cross the right front over the left front.
  6. Sew securely along the crossover join.
Finishing tip: Take care when positioning the crossover fronts. Matching the coloured thread markers before sewing will help achieve the correct wrap shape.

Customisation Ideas

  • Use a gradient yarn for a modern colour effect.
  • Add a decorative button or brooch at the crossover point.
  • Choose a neutral yarn for a classic wardrobe staple.
  • Use a contrasting yarn for the rib edges.
  • Create a cropped version by adjusting the body length.

Care

Follow the care instructions for your chosen yarn.

Reshape the vest while damp and dry flat to maintain the crossover shape and lace pattern.

Get a copy of the instructions Download guide

Things you'll need