Orav Vest by Aleks Byrd

Orav Vest

Knitting
October 2025
DK (11 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in Double Seed Stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
755 - 1554 yards (690 - 1421 m)
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
English

Aleks’ grandfather Harri was known to be fond of wearing vests — in particular, a vest knit by his wife Hilja, using a Vikkel twisted travelling stitch pattern that reminded Aleks of acorns. This vest is a modern recreation of the original vest, which Aleks’ mother has lovingly saved. It features the same gorgeous acorn-like stitch pattern that has been framed with interspersed sections of Double Seed Stitch and twisted stitch plaits for added texture. The vest is knitted seamlessly from the bottom up using steeking.

SIZE

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) 
Recommended ease: 2–4” / 5–10 cm of positive ease. 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 
Bust circumference: 37.5 (41.5, 45.5, 49.5, 52.75) (56.75, 60.75, 65, 69, 73)“ / 96 (106, 116, 126, 135) (145, 155, 166, 176, 186) cm. 
Armhole depth: 9.25 (9.25, 9.5, 9.75, 9.5) (9.5, 10.25, 10.75, 11.25, 11.5)” / 23 (23, 23.5, 24.5, 24) (23, 25.5, 27, 28, 29) cm. 
Body length (hem to underarm – adjustable): 15” / 38 cm. 
Shoulder width: 15.25 (15.25, 15.25, 15.25, 17.75) (17.75, 17.75, 20.25, 20.25, 20.25)“ / 39.5 (39.5, 39.5, 39.5, 46) (46, 46, 52.5, 52.5, 52.5) cm. 
V-neck depth: 7.75 (7.5, 7.25, 6.75, 6.5) (6.25, 6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25)” / 19.5 (19, 18, 17, 16) (15.5, 16, 17, 17.5, 18) cm. 
Armhole circumference: 15.25 (15.25, 16, 16.5, 16.5) (16.75, 18.5, 19.25, 21.25, 22)“ / 38 (38, 40, 41, 41) (42, 46, 48, 53, 55) cm.

YARN

Les Garçons British DK (70% Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 30% Masham Wool, 263 yds / 240 m – 100 g).
3 (4, 4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins of Aleks’ Red Squirrel Friend.

Or the following amounts of DK-weight yarn:
755 (828, 913, 997, 1057) (1155, 1236, 1347, 1444, 1554) yds / 689 (756, 833, 910, 965) (1054, 1128, 1229, 1318, 1418) m.

NEEDLES

  • US 4 / 3.5 mm – 16” / 40 cm and 32” / 80 cm circular needles and DPNs for ribbing.
  • US 5 / 3.75 mm – 16” / 40 cm and 32” / 80 cm circular needles (2 sets) and DPNs for body.

For more information, see: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/