Switchback Jacket and Vest by Lindsey Fowler

Switchback Jacket and Vest

Knitting
February 2025
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
18 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette st, after blocking
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 8 - 5.0 mm
187 - 1918 yards (171 - 1754 m)
1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9 (10, 11, 12) 13, 14
English

SIZES

1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9 (10, 11, 12) 13, 14

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference at body: 16, 20, 24 (28, 32, 36) 40, 44, 48 (52, 56, 60) 64, 68” / 41, 51, 61 (71, 81, 91) 102, 112, 122 (132, 142, 152) 163, 173 cm.

Cross back: 7, 9, 10.75 (12.5, 13.75, 15.5) 17.75, 18.75, 21 (22.75, 25, 26.25) 28, 29.75” / 18, 22, 27 (31, 34, 39) 44, 47, 52 (57, 62, 66) 70, 74 cm.

Upper arm circumference: 6.25, 7, 8.5 (9.25, 12.5, 13.25) 14.25, 16, 16.5 (17.25, 17.25, 17.75) 17.75, 17.75” / 16, 18, 22 (23, 32, 34) 36, 41, 42 (44, 44, 45) 45, 45 cm.

Wrist circumference: 5.25, 5.25, 6.75 (6.75, 7, 7.5) 8, 8.5, 9 (9.25, 9.75, 10.25) 11, 12” / 13, 13, 17 (17, 18, 19) 20, 22, 23 (23, 25, 26) 28, 30 cm.

Body length approx. 5.5” / 13.5 cm for babies, 10” / 25 cm for kids, 15” / 37 cm for adults, 20” / 49 cm for tall adults from underarm.

Sleeve length 8” / 20 cm for babies, 12–15” / 32–40 cm for kids, 17” / 43 cm for adults, 22” / 56 cm for tall adults from underarm.

MATERIALS

Yarn: MC: 1, 2, 3 (3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 7 (8, 9, 9) 10, 10 (regular length jacket) skeins of Journey Worsted by Julie Asselin Yarns (80% Rambouillet, 20% Targhee, 200 yds / 182 m – 115 g), colorway Automne (jacket) and Alpin (vest).

CC: 1 skein of Journey Worsted by Julie Asselin Yarns (80% Rambouillet, 20% Targhee, 200 yds / 182 m – 115 g), colorway Brownstone (jacket) and Latte (vest).

Or approx. yardage of worsted-weight yarn or any yarn with which you obtain gauge:

MC:
Jacket
187, 228, 448 (516, 740, 839) 1129, 1281, 1400 (1523, 1617, 1718) 1816, 1918 yds / 171, 208, 410 (472, 677, 767) 1032, 1171, 1280 (1393, 1479, 1571) 1661, 1754 m.

Tall Jacket (Tall version not applicable only to sizes 7-14)

  • , -, - ( -, -, -) 1404, 1583, 1725 (1869, 1983, 2107) 2226, 2349 yds / 1 - , -, - ( -, -, -) 284, 1447, 1577 (1709, 1813, 1926) 1284, 1447, 1577 (1709, 1813, 1927) 2035, 2148 m.

Vest

106, 141, 286 (346, 459, 540) 795, 913, 1017 (1125, 1211, 1298) 1385, 1471 yds / 97, 129, 262 (316, 420, 494) 727, 835, 930 (1029, 1107, 1187) 1266, 1345 m.

Tall vest (Tall version not applicable only to sizes 7-14)

  • , -, - ( -, -, -) 971, 1107, 1229 (1355, 1459, 1563) 1667, 1771 yds / -, -, - (-, -, -) 888, 1012, 1124 (1239, 1334, 1429) 1524, 1619 m.

CC: 46, 50, 63 (67, 73, 80) 87, 94, 100 (106, 113, 120) 128, 138 yds / 42, 46, 58 (61, 67, 73) 80, 86, 91 (97, 103, 110) 117, 126 m.

Suggested alternatives: Cascade Yarn “220”, Sandess Garn “Alpakka Ull”, Knitting for Olive “Heavy Merino”, Knit Picks “Wool of the Andes” or “Wool of the Andes Tweed”.

Needles: US 8 / 5 mm 32” / 80 cm circular needles AND US 7 / 4.5 mm 32” / 80 cm circular needles (or cord lengths compatible to finished body and arm circumferences).

Notions: Stitch markers, snips, waste yarn, darning needle, blocking materials.

GAUGE

18 sts x 22 rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 8 / 5 mm needles in stockinette st, after blocking.

CONSTRUCTION

Switchback is a top down cardigan that is worked flat in pieces until joined at underarm. The body knit flat in twisted stitch diamonds with a contrasting welt detail at the transitions from one motif to another. Sleeve caps are knit flat, then set-in to armholes and finished in the round to cuff. Sleeves taper with steady decrease in sleeve circumference to cuff. Switchback includes the option to omit sleeves and finish as a vest. Notes are given to customize for narrower shoulders with a wider body circumference, or wider shoulders with narrower body circumference. Begin with with the cast on for the cross back width you desire, then switch to the full body circumference you desire at underarm cast on (size difference should not differ more than 2 sizes in either direction). For the vest option it is recommended knitters work a narrower cross back width than actual shoulder width so shoulder seams do not hang over shoulder edge.

SOCIAL MEDIA TAG

#SwitchbackJacket or #SwitchbackVest