Chako Vest

or purchase through Ravelry.

Chako (pronounced chAH-ko, and not chAW-ko, or chAY-ko) has something to do with tea! It's a sweet collared vest for throwing on as an extra warm layer over just about any outfit.

SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Finished chest circumference (after seaming): 89 (97, 105, 113, 129) (137, 145, 154, 170)cm / 35 (38, 41¼, 44½, 51) (54, 57¼, 60½, 67)”. See schematic on page 11 for other measurements.

To be worn with approx 5-10cm / 2-4” positive ease, but can be worn with more or less ease too depending on preference.

Sample is shown in size 1 with 9cm / 3½” positive ease on a model who is 155 cm / 5'1" tall with approx an 81cm / 32" chest.

MATERIALS

Recommended Yarn

Pascuali Filati Naturali MANADA (Lace weight; 45% superkid mohair, 25% silk, 15% merino wool, 15% yak; 200m / 219 yds per 25g / .85 oz) 

5 (5, 6, 7, 7) (8, 9, 10, 11) balls shown in colour #224 Hazelnut (Haselnuss) OR approx 885 (985, 1125, 1210, 1380) (1580, 1750, 1935, 2180)m / 965 (1080, 1230, 1325, 1510) (1730, 1920, 2115, 2390) yds

Yarn is held double throughout. If substituting a single strand of a heavier yarn, you will need approx half the amount of meterage / yardage stated above.

This pattern comes with a Yarn Substitution “guide” which can be viewed on Ravelry before purchase. Also check out these yarn substitution swatch ideas.

Needles 

  • 4 mm (US 6) straight or circular needle 60 - 80cm / 24 - 32" long for back and front piece hems, PLUS a circular needle 40cm / 16” long for collar and armhole edgings

  • 4.5 mm (US 7) straight or circular needle 60 - 80cm / 24 - 32" long for back and front pieces

    or needle size needed to obtain correct gauge

Notions

Stitch marker, stitch holders or waste yarn, spare needle for Three-Needle Bind-off, yarn needle, sock weight yarn in a similar colour for seaming (optional), 1 button approx 13mm / ½” in diameter

GAUGE

20 sts x 29 rows = 10 cm / 4” on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles in Slip Stitch pattern using 2 strands of yarn held together, blocked. .

Adjust needle size if needed to obtain correct gauge. 

CONSTRUCTION

This vest is worked flat in 2 pieces (back and front) from the bottom up, and is seamed together at the sides during finishing. Shoulders are shaped using wrap and turn short-rows and are joined with a Three-Needle Bind-off. After shoulders are joined, the collar is picked up from the neck edge, worked back and forth, and features a single functioning button detail at centre front. Lastly, stitches are picked up around each armhole edge and are worked in the round.

Picking up stitches around the neck opening begins 2 stitches to the right of the centre of the front neck. Stitches are then picked up and knitted in a clockwise direction around the neck opening right back to where the first stitch was picked up, then a few stitches are cast on to create a small flap of fabric that will later be sewn behind the front edge to create an overlap for the button. The tail of yarn that is left when first joining the yarn to the neck is used to sew down this flap.

The body length of this vest is cropped, whereas the armhole depth is slightly deeper than average to accommodate bulkier sleeves when layering. Length can easily be added to both back and front pieces before armhole shaping is worked for a less cropped silhouette and for taller individuals, but please keep in mind that this will use more yarn than stated in the pattern. Also please take into account the full body length from shoulder to hem to ensure your vest doesn’t become too long!