P184 Boxy Cropped Vest

P184 Boxy Cropped Vest

This vest pattern combines a lot of things that we love, a cropped length that skims over the waist, v-neck and a chunky yarn, that makes it quick to knit. A great weekend project, it layers perfectly over and under garments, while our bold and bright Harlequin yarn turns this simple vest into a statement piece. Our model here wears a XS.

How to Knit the Harlequin Boxy Cropped Vest

Knit a bold, cropped V-neck vest with a relaxed boxy shape using chunky Harlequin yarn. The body is worked in the round from the hem before being divided for the front and back, with armhole and neckline shaping completed in rows.

Twisted rib bands finish the neckline and armholes, while the cropped length makes this an easy layering piece.

Project: Boxy Cropped Vest

Pattern: P184

Craft type: Knitting

Difficulty: Easy Knit

Measurements

Size XS S M L XL
Chest cm 85 90 95 100 105
Length from HSP cm 41 42 43 45 46
Length from underarm cm 23 23 23 25 25

Yarn Required

Yarn XS S M L XL
Makr Harlequin 100g balls 3 3 4 4 5
Please use only the yarn specified. Another yarn is likely to yield different results. Quantities are approximate as knitting styles may vary between knitters. Check the ball bands to ensure all yarn is from the same dye lot.

This vest pattern combines a lot of things that we love, a cropped length that skims over the waist, v-neck and a chunky yarn, that makes it quick to knit. A great weekend project, it layers perfectly over and under garments, while our bold and bright Harlequin yarn turns this simple vest into a statement piece. Our model here wears a XS.

Needles and Equipment

  • A pair of 5.50mm knitting needles.
  • A 5.00mm circular knitting needle, 80cm or longer.
  • A 5.50mm circular knitting needle, 80cm or longer.
  • Stitch markers.
  • Stitch holders.
  • Wool needle for sewing in ends.

Tension

12 sts and 17 rows to 10cm over stocking st, using 5.50mm needles.

Knitting Abbreviations

  • K: Knit
  • K2tog: Knit 2 Together
  • K2togtbl: Knit 2 Together
  • P: Purl
  • P2tog: Purl 2 sts together through the back loop.
  • P2togtbl: Purl 2 sts together through the back loop.
  • Sl1P: Slip one stitch purlwise
  • Sl1P: Slip one stitch knitwise

VEST

NOTE: This pattern is written for our genderless XS size, all stitch counts and references for other sizes are written in brackets for easy reference. They are as follows, XS (S - M - L - XL)

BODY

Hem:

Using 5.00mm circular needle, cast on 112 (120 - 128 - 136 - 144) sts

Join to begin working in the round, taking care not to twist. Place a marker at the beginning of the round and after the first, 56 (60 - 64 - 68 - 72) sts

Round 1: *K2, P2, work from * to end of round.

Round 1 forms a 2 x2 rib, repeat round 2 until piece measures 9cm from the beginning.

Work one more round in rib decreasing evenly by 12 (12 - 16 - 20 - 24) sts ... 100 (108 - 112 - 116 - 120) sts

Change to working with 5.50mm circular needle and begin to work in stocking st, knitting every round until piece measures 20 (20 - 20 - 22 - 22) cm from the beginning.

Divide for Front and Back:

Cast off 4 (4 - 4 - 5 - 5) sts at the beginning of the round, K48 (52 - 56 - 58 - 62), cast off the next 7 (7 - 7 - 9 - 9) sts, K50 (54 - 58 - 60 - 64) sts and cast off 3 (3 - 3 - 4 - 4) sts and fasten off... 98 (106 - 114 - 118 - 126) sts

Slip the set of 50 (54 - 58 - 60 - 64) sts just worked onto a stitch holder to be worked later for the back.

Continuing to work on the remaining 48 (52 - 56 - 58 - 62) sts, join yarn to the beginning of the sts, ready to work a right side row, working back and forth in rows, rather than in the round from here on.

Working in stocking st decrease by one st at each end of the next 2 rows ... 44 (48 - 52 - 54 - 58) sts

Left Front V Neck:

Knit 22 (24 - 26 - 27 - 29) sts, turn and continue to work on these sts only.

Continuing to work in stocking st, decreasing by one st at each end of every alt row until 16 (18 - 20 - 22 - 23) sts remain.

Work one row.

Begin to decrease by one st at the neckline edge only, on the next row and each following 2nd (2nd - 2nd - 3rd - 3rd) row until 9 (11 - 12 - 14 - 15) sts remain.

Work straight without further shaping until piece measures 22 (23 - 24 - 25 - 26) cm from the cast off edge for the armhole, ending with a WS row ***

Left Shoulder Shaping:

Cast off 4 (5 - 6 - 7 - 8) sts at the beginning of the next row, work one row and cast off remaining sts.

Right Armhole and Neck Shaping:

Slipping the remaining 22 (24 - 26 - 27 - 29) sts for the front back onto your needles, join yarn, ready to work a RS row.

Work as for the left front until *** ... 9 (11 - 12 - 14 - 15) sts

Work one row.

Cast off 4 (6 - 6 - 7 - 7) sts at the beginning of the next row, work one row and cast off remaining sts.

BACK VEST

Armholes:

Slip the remaining 50 (54 - 58 - 60 - 64) sts back onto your needles and join yarn ready to work a RS row.

Working in stocking st decrease by 1 st at each end of the next 2 rows ... 48 (52 - 56 - 58 - 62) sts

Continuing to work in stocking st, decreasing by one st at each end of every alt row until 34 (38 - 42 - 46 - 48) sts remain.

Work straight without further shaping until piece measures 22 (23 - 24 - 25 - 26) cm from the cast off edge for the armhole, ending with a WS row.

Cast off 4 (5 - 6 - 7 - 7) sts at the beginning of the next two rows ... 26 (28 - 30 - 32 - 34) sts.

Cast off 5 (6 - 6 - 7 - 8) sts at the beginning of the next two rows ... 16 (16 - 18 - 18 - 18) sts.

Leave remaining sts on a stitch holder to be worked for the back neck.

NECKBAND

Picking Up:

Seam together shoulder seams with RS facing, matching the 9 (11 - 12 - 14 - 15) sts cast off for each shoulder on the back with the front and 5.00mm knitting needles.

Beginning at left hand shoulder, knit across 16 (16 - 18 - 18 - 18) sts from back stitch holder, continuing down right v-neck slope, pick up 24 (26 - 28 - 28 - 29) sts, pick up one st at the centre of the v- neck and continue up the other side of the v-neck pick up another pick up 24 (26 - 28 - 28 - 29) sts, join to begin working in the round ... 65 (69 - 75 - 75 - 77) sts

Place a marker at the beg of the round and to mark the stitch at the centre of the v neck.

Round 1: *Ktbl, P1, repeat from * to last st, Ktbl.

Round 2: *Ktbl, P1, repeat from * to one st before marked centre decrease. slip the next two sts as if to work a K2tog, K1 and then slip the two sts over, work in pattern established to end of round ... 65 (67 - 75 - 73 - 77) sts

Work one round twisted rib in pattern established.

Repeat the last two rounds once more, then cast off in rib.

ARMHOLE BANDS

With RS facing and using 5.00mm needles, pick up and knit 58 (68 - 76 - 74 - 78) sts around an armhole.

Round 1: *Ktbl, P1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 1 forms a twisted rib, repeat round 1, 3 more times, then cast off in rib.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends and stretch gently into shape. If blocking is desired, wet gently without repetitive rubbing or aggravation, pin in place using measurement chart as a guide.

ITEM A: Back of Vest

The original pattern includes a reference photograph showing the back of the completed vest.

ITEM B: Stitch Detail

The original pattern includes a close-up reference photograph showing the stitch texture and armhole band of the completed vest.

Alternative Yarns

The original pattern specifies Makr Harlequin. When choosing an alternative yarn, select a chunky yarn that can achieve the original tension of 12 sts and 17 rows to 10cm over stocking st using 5.50mm needles.

Suitable Yarn Types

  • Chunky wool blend – provides warmth, structure and a soft finish suitable for layering.
  • Chunky acrylic yarn – an easy-care option with a wide range of colour choices.
  • Chunky pure wool – creates a warm and breathable vest with strong stitch definition.
  • Variegated chunky yarn – can recreate the multicoloured statement effect of the original Harlequin yarn.
  • Chunky recycled fibre blend – may provide a contemporary textured finish, provided the required tension can be matched.
Important: Match the original tension before beginning. The pattern specifically advises that another yarn is likely to yield different results. Make a generous tension swatch and check both stitch tension and finished fabric before starting.

Customisation Ideas

  • Use a solid colour for a more understated version that highlights the boxy shape and V-neck.
  • Choose a self-striping or variegated yarn to create a colourful statement effect similar to the original.
  • Work the ribbed bands in a contrasting colour to emphasise the hem, neckline and armholes.
  • Create a tonal version using a softly variegated yarn in related shades.
  • Layer over shirts, blouses or lightweight knits to make the cropped vest suitable for different seasons.

To retain the original fit and proportions, keep all stitch counts, size brackets, shaping instructions and measurements unchanged when making decorative customisations.

Care Instructions

Follow the washing and care instructions provided on the ball band of the yarn used for the project.

  1. Weave in all ends securely before washing.
  2. Wash using the method and temperature recommended for the selected yarn.
  3. Avoid repetitive rubbing or agitation, particularly when using wool or other fibres prone to felting.
  4. Gently reshape the vest to the measurement chart after washing.
  5. Lay flat to dry where appropriate to help maintain the cropped shape and neckline.
  6. Store folded rather than hanging if the yarn is heavy, to help prevent the shoulders from stretching.
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