The Penelope Vest is a natural extension of the Penelope Top, one of my favorite pieces to knit and wear last summer. With this design, I wanted to create a sister piece that carries the same lightness and refined details, while offering a slightly different expression. The vest introduces a more relaxed, subtly bohemian feel, with an open front and gentle movement that makes it easy to style in many ways.

Designed as a versatile summer knit, the Penelope Vest can be worn on its own as a top, lightly closed with buttons, or left open over a dress, shirt, or tee. The included i-cord belt allows you to cinch the waist for a more defined silhouette.

Like the original, the vest is worked seamlessly from the top down in fingering-weight yarn, beginning at the shoulders and shaped for a comfortable, close fit. It is best suited for yarns with good drape, such as silk, cotton, viscose, or linen blends.

Finishing details are an essential part of the look: neat i-cord edgings frame the piece, the button bands are worked in double knitting for a polished and stable finish, and the i-cord belt adds both function and a refined touch. Familiar lace elements from the Penelope Top are carried through the hem, tying the two designs together while allowing the vest to stand on its own as a distinct piece.

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10)
Finished bust circumference: 73 (83.4, 94, 99) (104.5, 109.5, 120) (130.5, 141, 151.5) cm / 28.75 (32.75, 37, 39) (41.25, 43, 47.25) (51.5, 55.5, 59.75) inches, intended to be worn with zero ease around the bust (choose a size that is closest to your actual bust).
Armscye depth: 22 (22, 23, 23) (23, 23, 24) (25, 26, 27) cm / 8.75 (8.75, 9, 9) (9, 9, 9.5) (9.75, 10.25, 10.75) inches
Body length from hem to underarm: 30 (30, 30, 30) (32, 32, 32) (34, 34, 34) cm / 11.75 (11.75, 11.75, 11.75) (12.5, 12.5, 12.5) (13.5, 13.5, 13.5) (adjustable)

Yarn
470 (520, 570, 630) (690, 760, 830) (920, 1010, 1110) m / 510 (560, 620, 680) (750, 830, 910) (1000, 1100, 1210) yards of fingering weight yarn.

Sample: 2 (3, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5) skeins of Knitting For Olive Pure Silk (100% silk; 250 meters / 273 yards per 50 g) shown in the colorway Unicorn Purple.

Needles
2.5 mm / US 1.5:
circular needles with a cable of 40 cm / 16 inches for the i-cord edges
circular needles with a cable of 60 cm / 24 inches for the buttonbands

3 mm / US 2.5:
circular needles with a cable of 80 cm / 32 inches for sizes 1-5 or 100 cm / 40 inches for sizes 6-9 for the body

Gauge
23 sts and 32 rounds = 10 cm / 4 inches of Stockinette stitch on the larger needles in the round, blocked. Note: always use the needle size that gets you the right gauge!

Notions
stitch markers
locking markers
tapestry needle
waste yarn
5 small (1-1.5 cm / 0.5 inch) buttons