Women's knit vest: design by Hilokune

Are you up for knitting a super cute women's knitted vest that's easy to adapt to your tastes? Hilokune's design for the Sakura vest is perfect if you're looking for inspiration to create something special and warm for winter.

In this article, we're going to give you the basic notions to inspire and encourage you to knit a women's knitted vest like this one yourself. You'll only need a few skeins of your favorite fiber (the star of this design is Sweet Merino New, which has a super soft finish, but you can use whichever one you like) and a desire to create something unique.

Shall we begin? We assure you the result will be worth every stitch!

What do you need to know before you start knitting the Sakura women's knitted vest?

Before you start knitting the Sakura women's knitted vest, it's important to familiarize yourself with the materials and tools you'll be using, as well as with the recommended measurements and gauge for the project.

This women's knitted vest is constructed from several sections that will require color changes and the use of stitches on hold, so having the right materials on hand will help you work with precision and maintain order at each stage.

What materials do you need?

• Color A (multicolored yarn of similar thickness to the main material we have selected).
• Color B (in our case, 3 skeins of Rubí Sweet Merino New color 008).
• Color C (in our case, 3 skeins of Rubí Sweet Merino New color 003).
• Circular or double-pointed needles size 4 or the gauge needed to achieve the tension swatch.
• Auxiliary needle size 2.
• Stitch holders for stitches on hold.
• Markers and labels.
• Tapestry needle.

Do you have everything ready? Then, let's talk about the measurements and tension for this women's knitted vest:

• The reference measurements are:
  • Diagonal of the rhombus: 45 cm.
  • Width of front and belt: 34 cm.
  • Belt length: 70 cm.
• Regarding tension:
  • 22 stitches x 22 rows (44 passes) in garter stitch without blocking.

Now then: how to knit the Sakura women's knitted vest?

To knit the women's knitted vest, we recommend structuring the work into several well-organized blocks.

Main back section

It's best to start with the main back section, as it's the most detailed. 

We recommend starting this way:

Block 1

Color A: cast on 25 sts. We recommend a simple twisted cast-on, but any other cast-on can be used. In this case, the cast-on is considered row 1.

• r 2: K25.
• r 3: SI1, K24.
• r 4: SI1, K24.
• Repeat r 3 and r 4, 23 more times.
• Cut yarn and place stitches on hold on a stitch holder.

Block 2

Working on the right side. With the help of an auxiliary needle, pick up 25 sts from the bumps generated by the row changes on the right side of BLOCK 1.

With color B:

• r 1: K25.
• r 2: Sl1, K24.
• r 3: SI1, K24.
• r 4: SI1, K24.
• Repeat r3 and r4, 23 more times.
• Cut yarn and leave on hold on the same needle.

Block 3

On the wrong side, after the stitches on hold in color B, CO 25 stitches with color A. Total 50 sts (25 sts color B + 25 sts color A).

• r 1: K24, SI1o (color B over the 25th stitch of color A), K1.
• r 2: Sl1, K24.
• r 3: SI1, K23, Sl1o, K1.
• r 4: Sl1, K24.
• Repeat r 3 and r 4, 23 more times.
• Cut yarn and leave stitches on hold on the same needle.

As you can see, at the end of each block, you'll need to pick up stitches from previous blocks, which helps provide continuity and firmness to the piece. To avoid getting lost, and as we pointed out at the beginning, it's advisable to use markers and labels to identify the beginning and end of each block of this women's knitted vest.

A tip: with each color change, make sure to slightly tension the yarn to prevent the edge from becoming loose or uneven. This small adjustment will keep the edges neat and give a cleaner finish to your women's knitted vest.

Front of the Sakura women's knitted vest

Once you complete the back, move on to the front.

In this phase, you will pick up stitches from the diagonals of the back, following the block pattern, and work in garter stitch in color C. Here you will have freedom to customize the length, knitting more or fewer rows depending on the style you want to give the women's knitted vest.

To maintain order, again place the stitches on hold on stitch holders or an auxiliary needle. 

Belts of the Sakura vest

Finally, we will knit the belts of the Sakura women's knitted vest. For this, we will use the same color change as in the front, alternating the shades in each row to add a finishing touch to the design.

Once you finish, close the garment with an elastic bind-off or the Icelandic bind-off. This will ensure that the final edge has flexibility and does not deform, maintaining a comfortable fit.

Frequently asked questions about the Sakura women's knitted vest

Can I use other types of yarn to knit the Sakura vest, or is it necessary to use Sweet Merino New?

Of course! While Sweet Merino New is ideal for its softness, thickness, and finish, you can opt for other fibers or yarn types that suit your preferences. The key is to choose a yarn that achieves the same recommended gauge so that the women's knitted vest has the correct size and maintains the design's structure. In our online store, you have many options to choose from!

What if I don't have auxiliary needles or stitch holders for the stitches on hold?

No problem, you can improvise with materials you have on hand. One option is to use a contrasting waste yarn to thread the stitches on hold and keep them secure until you need them again. You can also use large safety pins or any tool that allows you to hold the stitches without dropping them. The important thing is that the stitches on hold remain organized and easy to pick up again.

Is it necessary to do a gauge swatch before starting the women's knitted vest?

Yes, doing a gauge swatch is essential for the vest to maintain the correct measurements and fit well. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 22 rows in garter stitch without blocking, which allows you to verify if the yarn thickness and needle size you chose produce the correct fabric size. Knitting a small swatch also helps you familiarize yourself with the yarn's texture and stitches, which is useful for working confidently on the complete project. If the swatch does not match the indicated gauge, you can change the needle size or adjust the yarn thickness.

How long might it take to knit the entire vest?

The knitting time will vary depending on your experience level and the amount of time you can dedicate daily. For those who knit regularly, the project could take between one and two weeks, while for beginners or those who knit in their free time, it might take a bit longer. The block structure makes the work easier, as it allows you to progress section by section instead of knitting it all at once.

Are you up for knitting a women's knitted vest similar to Sakura? Don't forget to tag us on social media if you do!