About the pattern
This pattern for a waistcoat or gilet was inspired by the lovely colours of Ram Jam Sport Dyeing Light Collection, which was a limited edition collaboration from Daughter of a Shepherd and Woollenflower. As usual, I could not decide which colour to buy, so I got one of each colour that was available at the time of purchase early in 2022. I wanted a pattern that would blend the colours more subtly than simple stripes, at the same time showing off their beauty. I had a lot of fun playing with various slip stitch patterns and this was the result.
Although I have 12 colours in the body of the garment, and another for the trim, this is essentially a three colour pattern working with a dark, a medium and a light shade, swapping colours on every row. I divided the colours into four groups and worked 12 rows in each group, splicing in the new yarn at each change. I then made a second garment, working 24 rows in each group.
This garment would be an excellent stash buster. As long as you follow the general plan of one dark, one medium and one light all the time, you can use just three colours or as many as you want. Have a play and chat about it with your knitting buddies!
The pattern is a simple garter stitch base with slipped stitches which looks much more complicated than it is. It produces a light, warm fabric with lots of pockets of air within. Beginning with a long provisional cast on at the centre fronts and lower hem, the body is worked in one piece with decreases at the lower fronts. After shaping the front neck and shoulders, stitches for the front armholes are set aside and the upper back completed. Small seams are worked at the shoulders, then an i-cord trim with buttonholes completes the edges.

Skill Level
Intermediate. The slip stitch pattern is very simple, with no purling, and simple increases and decreases. It is an advantage to be able to read your knitting, and to start with it may be helpful to mark the right side of the work with a safety pin or locking marker. Techniques used include knit, slipped stitches, picking up stitches, provisional cast on and i-cord bind-off, including i-cord buttonholes.

Sizing
The pattern is described in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL. Because of the way the garment is constructed, the hem sits slightly lower on the hips in the larger sizes, and the armholes are proportionally slightly less deep.
finished bust/chest circumference.83, 94, 105, 114, 124 {136, 145, 154, 165} cm 32.75, 37, 41.25, 45, 48.75 {53.5, 57, 60.75, 65} inches.

Yarn requirements
The pattern requires approximately equal quantities of dark, medium and light yarn, plus a small quantity of yarn for the trim. You can mix and match the dark, medium and light in whatever way you want.

This pattern is also available as a chunky version; both versions are included in the download.