knit vest tutorial 🧡 pt. 1 (step by step)

hey! I hope you're all well. In this 3 part series, I'll show you how to knit a vest (: this is part 1. I had the idea to make a vest tutorial about 4 months ago and I thought it would take me a month max but it ended up taking me so so long... So thank you for your patience! I had some difficulty at various points in the process.. mainly shaping the neckline in the back and as a result, I had doubts about posting but I hope this video can be useful nonetheless. Let me know if you have any tips or feedback (: & I hope you enjoy ~ (time staps below)
You can find the other parts of the series here:
☯ part 2 - • knit vest tutorial 💕 ...
☯ part 3 - • knit vest tutorial 💚 ...
Pattern (front piece):
✿ Cast on 90 stitches
✿ Work in 2x2 rib for 22 rows
✿ Change yarn colour and work in stockinette stitch for 42 rows
✿ Armhole shaping:
knit row: k2, ssk, knit until 4 stitches remain, k2t, k2
purl row: purl all stitches
✿ Alternate knit row and purl row for 16 rows total (decrease 16 stitches)
✿ Transfer half stitches onto scrap yarn & work remaining stitches
✿ Right strap shaping:
knit row: knit until 4 stitches remain, k2t, k2
purl row: purl all stitches
✿ Alternate knit row and purl row for 36 rows total (decrease 18 stitches)
✿ Knit 14 more rows in stockinette stitch with no decrease
✿ Bind off right strap
✿ Transfer stitches from yarn to needles
✿ Left strap shaping:
knit row: k2, ssk, knit remaining stitches
purl row: purl all stitches
✿ Alternate knit row and purl row for 36 rows (decrease 18 stitches)
✿ Knit 14 more rows in stockinette stitch with no decrease
✿ Bind off left strap
Time stamps:
0:00 Intro
2:47 Pattern explanation
3:49 What you need
4:37 Gauge swatch
5:38 Cast on
6:03 2x2 rib stitch
9:24 Change yarn & work in stockinette
10:48 Shape armholes
17:51 Transfer half stitches to scrap yarn
21:32 Shape right strap
24:02 Bind off right strap
27:07 Shape left strap
29:33 Finished front piece!
Things I used:
☆ 4.5mm 60cm circular needles (you can use shorter than 60cm but not longer)
☆ 3 balls of sports weight wool yarn (2 in main colour and 1 ball in ribbing colour)
(My yarn is called "ulysse - de rerum natura" & each ball weighs 50g and is 185m/202 yards long
☆ scissors
☆ tapestry needle
☆ measuring tape
Instagram accounts featured in intro:
☺ simplyinstyle_,stylein.lb, hooked.on.id, nanitting_vvv, theally.closet, semraninhobiatolyesi, brokeundschoenshop, tshirtmybest, 100laurencandy, bumbblebeeshop, nomde_beauty, inspiremecosy, lorenzobooh, inakrist, wootoseeyou
+ other v. good instagram accounts that inspired me:
☺ vicky.knits, a.k.e.e.p, meganfaithmakes
Blue vest pattern (front piece):
✿ Cast on 102 stitches
✿ Work in 2x2 rib for 22 rows
✿ Change yarn colour and work in stockinette stitch for 42 rows
✿ Armhole shaping:
knit row: k2, ssk, knit until 4 stitches remain, k2t, k2
purl row: purl all stitches
✿ Alternate knit row and purl row for 16 rows total (decrease 16 stitches)
✿ Transfer half stitches onto scrap yarn & work remaining stitches
✿ Right strap shaping:
knit row: knit until 4 stitches remain, k2t, k2
purl row: purl all stitches
✿ Alternate knit row and purl row for 44 rows total (decrease 22 stitches)
✿ Knit 6 more rows in stockinette stitch with no decrease
✿ Bind off right strap
✿ Transfer stitches from yarn to needles
✿ Left strap shaping:
knit row: k2, ssk, knit remaining stitches
purl row: purl all stitches
✿ Alternate knit row and purl row for 44 rows (decrease 22 stitches)
✿ Knit 6 more rows in stockinette stitch with no decrease
✿ Bind off left strap
My Instagram:
☾ mena_knits
Music:
♫ Imagine (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Tower (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Chocolate (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Daily (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Biscuit (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Marshmallow (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Sunset (Prod. by Lukrembo)
♫ Memories (Prod. by Lukrembo)
/ @lukrembo

[@menaknits]

Hello everyone! I just made another vid talking about what I learnt & things I did differently while making this vest again. I recommend watching it before you start knitting your vest because you may find some of the information helpful (: xx kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYPZaWyjocirpbs

[@mariacelesteperez2357]

Gracias porque me encanta todo lo que haces!!! Soy de Argentina 😊 pero me cuesta mucho entender algunas cosas que explicas..... la traducción hace muchísima falta please!

[@pimppump7652]

This turtorial is amazing, you talk about everything in detail that is not obvious to beginner knitters! Can't wait to see more videos from you

[@menaknits]

Thank you so much! I'm happy you found it useful (:

[@avourrito1819]

I've been crocheting for almost 4 years and I've always been jealous of how much less yarn is used in knitting so I went to Daiso and bought a circular knitting needles and just started 4 days ago. I got the hang of the tension and this video is wonderfully slow enough for me to understand what is going on and following along as a beginner. Thank you so much for helping a lot of us into doing something fun

[@menaknits]

Thanks for checking out my video (: lemme know if you have any questions and I'll answer them for you (:

[@brissiahernandez9070]

can you tell me how many inches long the bottom ribs are please?

[@annapv1080]

I was searching for at least one month for a full _not complicated_ tutorial of a vest ! And then you uploaded this! thank you girl! So easy to follow! Can't wait for pt 2

[@menaknits]

no worries! I’m happy I could help :) :)

[@officialyeosangthinker9392]

You're honestly amazingg. Most of the tutorials are crocheting and not knitting so thank you for uploading this ToT Can't wait to see your future tutorials and projects!!

[@Yuuragiri]

Thank you so much! ❤I'm knitting for the first time and already looking very good! So excited to see the final piece. Very easy to follow tutorial!

[@ggfont1580]

I love that you made this tutorial step by step and easy to understand. Thank you for sharing how to knit beautiful vest❤❤❤❤

[@nph1946]

Thank you so much! This is super helpful and i am happily waiting for new step by step tutorials🥰

[@maryperentou2052]

Thank you !!! I have been searching for a video like this ,so helpful ! I appreciate the way you explain so passionately ❤❤❤

[@meowning_dew3040]

I'm still waiting for my yarn to arrive. When waiting I started to use my other yarn to memorize this first part and to help my muscle memory. I'm a crocheter and still learn how to knit and this is the perfect starting project for me because I'm into wearables. I'm really excited to create this pattern/tutorial. 🙂💚

[@malisunshine23]

thank you so much! this is the best tutorial I've ever seen for a vest, so many others confused me.

[@menaknits]

No worries! I'm glad to hear that (:

[@souzanefares1473]

You’re the best I love how you explain every step thank you 😊

[@lherskov]

This is the most helpful tutorial I have seen 💖💖

[@menaknits]

That means a lot to me! Thanks (:

[@ritaclark5312]

Best tutorial I have come across, clear verbal and visual instructions

[@menaknits]

Thank you! That means a lot to me (:

[@senagonullu5123]

I've been going through a lot of videos and this is the best one i've found! Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this video!

[@menaknits]

Thanks! That means a lot to me (:

[@misssweeted]

I just finished my front piece! Thank you so much for a wonderful video, your instructions are so clear and I'm shocked how well I managed to do this as a semi-beginner knitter. I'm so happy with it and am looking forward to the next parts! :)

[@menaknits]

That's great to hear! Good luck with the rest of it (: (:

[@staytraught1359]

Thank you so, so much for the tutorial, it was super easy to follow along!! I just finished the front piece and I'm so excited to finish the rest :DD

[@menaknits]

You are very welcome (: good luck with the rest of it!!

[@nomilicious2468]

12 years old me who has never touched yarn before watching this and dreaming about making my own vest starting from tomorrow : 👁️👄👁️

[@menaknits]

Good luck !!!

[@animeholiczka]

Honestly i am just making it... as a 7th thing i ever made, while i started 2 months ago (so far pnly made a few headbands and 2 hats, so this is a big jump) surely u can do it with a bit of practice first on smaller things ^^

[@marcelinascierska6656]

I've started making this in January 2022 and made the back panel, now I'm making the front. It's the 1st thing I'm knitting in mu life. The most difficult thing is patience, the rest is rather easy.

[@tomirismaratova1694]

good luck!! :3

[@manalbilal1627]

I’m a 12 year old and I knit an crochet alloy

[@ShayGlizzy-nj7hg]

Mena thank you so much for this tutorial I just finished the front piece of my vest this video was so informational and you explained everything so thoroughly !!!!! Soon watch part two for the back piece 🫶🏿🫶🏿🫶🏿🫶🏿🫶🏿🫶🏿

[@TheMickeyMous]

Omg Thank you for this step by step tutorial! You explained everything so good 😍 I am just waiting for part 3 how to finish this vest! And i have to tell you that you are so beautiful and vest looks so cool! 💫

[@menaknits]

You're very welcome (: I'm happy you like it & your vest is looking good. I'm almost finished part 3 so it should be up soon! (:

[@Iivinginfiction]

this tutorial is so great and explains how to shape arm holes really well, i used this video as a reference to making a short sleeve top and figured out how to do some alterations to it based on how i wanted it to look like, your video really helped me get the basis of it! thanks

[@menaknits]

Oh amazing, so happy it was useful for you! Thanks for sharing that with me (: (:

[@denizzkkkk]

this is an amazing video honestly i dont think it gets any better than this. congrats!! and thank you

[@menaknits]

Thank you!! (:

[@florina8626]

very clear instructions. much appreciated ❤️😘

[@susantainter9760]

Thank you so much for this video. Your instructions were superb. Also I didn't know about your method of decreasing. It makes the work look so much better. I learned a lot and I love your design. I'm going over to part 2 now. Big thanks.

[@menaknits]

You are very welcome, thank you for the kind words (:

[@annabelle7123]

I haven't done knitting for years but this sweater vest trend made me think of making my own. This tutorial is really helpful to start step by step so thank you!

[@menaknits]

You are very welcome, I'm glad it was helpful (: Good luck with it!

[@freya2790]

finally a tutorial I can actually understand. great video, thanks for sharing :)

[@menaknits]

you're welcome! (: I'm happy it's easy to understand (:

[@jewellee889]

Wow I just found your Chanel and love the vest and colour. Awesome. I’m making a vest and I was stuck on how to do a v neck and your vest is beautiful and great explanation. Thank you for the tutorial ❤🙏

[@jmendez1791]

Perfect timing! always wanted to knit and this video is so informative thank you 😭

[@menaknits]

No worries! Glad you liked it 😊

[@mimi-cm9qw]

thank you for this tutorial! can't wait to knit this for my grandma, she'll love this :)

[@menaknits]

ahahaha yessss love the idea of your grandma rocking this vest!

[@catboycharles]

thank u so much for this 3 part tutorial it helped me make my first big knitting project. u were so detailed and explained everything so well!

[@menaknits]

I'm so glad you found it useful (: xx

[@tanumidedgwakalnjedi123]

The best thing that happened today is finding this video. Thank you so much ❤️

[@menaknits]

I'm happy you found it :)

[@nutellabbe8068]

Can’t describe how helpful it is for me😭❤️❤️

[@menaknits]

I'm so glad!💘💘

[@TimothyLam]

Tsym!! Im so excited to make one. This is my first big knitting project and I'm confident I'll be able to do it cause your instructions are so clear!

[@menaknits]

You're very welcome (: (: good luck with it!

[@blancad822]

Same!!

[@veniestagourdine3881]

This is exactly what I was looking for . Thank you

[@cjlh1979]

Thank you so much! I had started a sweater vest for my daughter but couldn’t figure out how I was going to do the neck. I found your video and it’s exactly what I needed!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@menaknits]

You are very welcome, I'm glad it was useful for you (:

[@stijnverschaffel]

Thank you so much for this tutorial!! This is so helpful

[@menaknits]

Thank you, so glad it was helpful! (:

[@anythingrandom3148]

I lack self confidence when it comes to big projects. J am trying tk make my own patterns and this has just given me great inspo. Ur so talented. Good luck fir future and remember u r perfect. ❤

[@colarice5740]

this is amazing! i recently started knitting and don’t want to waste yarn on something im not gonna wear 😊 thank you!

[@bsoup7309]

thanks i've been wanting to make a sweater like this for a while !

[@seolamin2347]

This is so pretty u need more recognition!! Keep up the awesome work I want to make one now!!

[@menaknits]

Thank you (: that means a lot to me & I hope you do make one!!

[@chrstnsltr]

I love this video. So detailed and I learned a lot from it!!! Thank you for making this

[@menaknits]

Thank you, I'm glad to hear it (:

[@Danielle]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I used it as a guide to make my plush froggy a vest because I figured it’d be easier for me to start small before I attempt to make one that fits me 😅

[@minimiji9427]

Hey! Mena i know it's been 1 year already since you posted this video but thank you so much for all the detail video of this vest i just finished I first ever sweater vest only because of all those video you shared. Thank you again ❤️❤️lots of love from India.

[@jasperthebeetleboy]

How does this only have 100 views this is so good!! Making this rn thanks!

[@menaknits]

yay thank you, I'm editing the next part as we speak so hopefully it will be up soon (: (:

[@ifeoluwasanni737]

Hey im just getting into knitting and videos like these make me wanna knit even moreeee💞

[@menaknits]

Yesssssss, so happy to hear that!!! And good luck on your knitting journey hehe

[@Yourgirlaireen]

I was just thinking about making a sweater vest thank you sm!🥺❤️

[@menaknits]

You're welcome! yay I hope you make it, I'll try to get the next part up asap :) :)

[@sillygirl4737]

i like your accent also it's so nice of you to post a tutorial!!! i've been looking for a good one since foreveeer

[@menaknits]

haha thank you! hopefully it's useful for you 🙂💘

[@maryambham3124]

A very helpful and effective tutorial for a beginner...many thanks

[@sydneyshinshi]

Cant wait for part 2

[@mangoman8263]

I really want to get into knitting and bro BY FAR this tutorial was the best. So easy to understand!

[@menaknits]

That’s so nice to hear, thank you ❣️🙂

[@mangoman8263]

@@menaknits of course!😊

[@chocolatepigs2509]

Just finished making mine and it's fantastic! It was really easy to change the size and I'm so happy with the outcome! Thank you for such an amazing tutorial !!

[@menaknits]

that’s wonderful :) thank you for sharing that with me. I’m so happy it turned out well!

[@lauri3945]

how did you change the size? :((

[@isabellaschnbeck3526]

best tutorial ever!! i understood so well even tho im a beginner!

[@menaknits]

Very happy to hear this, thank you (:

[@nicolelo455]

Side note, ure so pretty!

[@zoiquivily6521]

Love this, I’ve wanted to have a sweater vest but the ones I see just are too much money for me and out of stubbornness I’ve decided to do this and fail until I get it right. Also, she kinda sounds like Harry styles in interviews when she talks, love that aesthetic

[@barbi_09]

Me encantó!! Muchas gracias por el tutorial. Espero que pronto puedas subir las otras partes. Saludos desde Argentina.

[@menaknits]

you're very welcome! I'll have the next part up soon ;)

[@kennethabalu4519]

this is amazing 🥺💕

[@menaknits]

thank you

[@littleghost__]

THANK U SO MUCH FOR THIS TUTORIAL!!!!!!!!!

[@sarahevans8304]

I just found this channel and I love it ! Awesome and really helpful videos :))))

[@menaknits]

Thank you so much, I'm so happy to hear that! (:

[@noumbaariane7349]

Thanks so much for posting this ! I will definetly give it a try :)

[@menaknits]

You are very welcome, good luck with it (:

[@deni.a9931]

This is easy to understand! Thank you💕

[@menaknits]

That's good to hear, thank you (:

[@leticiadaloski2495]

I loved!!!

[@reenadwivedi6487]

The best and most helpful tutorial 👍👍

[@menaknits]

Thank you! I'm so glad it's helpful 😊

[@sarahp1383]

This is the first time I am going to knit a vest. So excited about the prospect , now that I found your easy to follow tutorial, so we'll explained. It is going to help me immensely. Thank you so much.

[@menaknits]

Good luck and happy knitting (: xx

[@sarahp1383]

@@menaknits Thank you.

[@july3817]

this tutorial is amazing! I just started knitting and I want my first project to be a vest. However, every tutorial mentioned stitches and decreases that I didn't know how to do. I just learned so much stuff from this video and I can't wait to try it out.

[@menaknits]

I'm so happy to hear that! good luck with your vest and have fun (:

[@july3817]

Update: I'm currently knitting the stockinette part of the front piece. I've already knit like 20 something rows of that part, don't worry I marked the exact row in my pattern. Nobody told me that knitting takes really long! The videos always make it seem like you could finish a vest in a few days. Maybe some can do that, but this will probably take me another month. Anyway, the rows that I already have look exactly how I wanted my vest to be.

[@mayahudroge5310]

omg thanks so much for this video! very helpful tutorial :)

[@menaknits]

no worries! I’m glad it was useful (:

[@ilincagruia48]

Can you do a how to knit a sweater or a cardigan tutorial please? PS i love your channel

[@jedansepourvous]

Il est magnifique ❤

[@hannairstad2408]

love this!

[@menaknits]

:)

[@hdfuwhfjkwehfwiefhwe]

Glad to be the 700th subscriber :))

[@menaknits]

Thank you very much for being my 700th subscriber!! (:

[@PotetoNeko]

As a first timer I finished this part and it was not complicated because u explained it very well that my dummy brain finally understand 😅 I wish for you to share more knitting tutorials because I wanna learn more from you♥️♥️

[@menaknits]

thank you! I'm glad it was easy to understand.. will try to upload more knitting tutorials soon xx

[@yssah6874]

I actually tried making this at the beginning of the year, but silly me just followed everything to the t, never minding that we have completely different build, so it turned out too small for me 😅 got a bit discouraged, but now i wanted to try making one again. Actually watched other tutorials but came back to this because you just explain everything so well ☺ anyway gotta go knit my 2nd vest 🙆‍♀️

[@menaknits]

oh dear 😔 I wish I explained the gauge/size situation better in the video but I didn't really understand it myself back then! I'm glad you are trying again though (: good luck with it!

[@chiris1963]

Hola!! Explica perfecto, y todo muy ordenado, la felicito y muchas gracias por compartir tu talento tan bello, Saludos desde Costa Rica, Centroamerica!!

[@menaknits]

Thank you very much! 🙂💘

[@harisvergisun6148]

excellent work!! thanks

[@menaknits]

thank you! & thanks for watching 😊

[@ameeeeeeela]

Thank you for this video!

[@menaknits]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@mayvelyy7316]

love your tutorial

[@ashya172]

That's so cute but I'm definitely going to go with different colours when I make mine. 😂

[@menaknits]

haha yep well that it entirely up to you (;

[@adiayarnarts2567]

New sub. This was so easy to understand.

[@menaknits]

happy to hear that! thanks (:

[@ns-pc9tf]

thank you for thiss 💞

[@menaknits]

it's my pleasure, thanks for watching (:

[@anishaislam7130]

Hi, I just found your channel and you are awesome!!! Thank you for being so clear and taking us through every step. (If you don't mind me dropping a request, a cardigan pattern would be really nice! Or a video on a garment that includes intarsia)

[@menaknits]

Thank you 😊 and yes, thanks for the suggestion. I’ll keep it in mind!

[@mous40]

Good stuff mena :p clearly you've got a knack for this youtube stuff.

[@menaknits]

hehe thanks mous! 🙃

[@crochetwithbelo]

looks really nice :)

[@menaknits]

(:

[@zymablue]

Thank you thank you! Also thanks for adding subtitle🙏❤

[@menaknits]

You are very welcome (: thanks for watching my video!

[@fatmaraouf5433]

thank youuuuuu💚💚💚

[@Hollysattic]

so helpful

[@Korii1029]

I made a gauge swatch and it turned out I didn't do it right, so I made another one, lol. I made somewhat amount of progress on a front panel, but found out near the arm-hole part that it would be too small because I didn't take into account when measuring that there was going to be decreases for the armholes lol. So now, I think I will cast on the same amount of stitches you did, but maybe a bit more because of taking account of my gauge being a bit different but almost the same as yours.

[@yiagsit3770]

İt's the best tutorial ever!!! I'm on right strap of the vest now and it's the only time I'm not puzzled and understood everything. Do you think of uploading tutorials about other things too? Like sweater?

[@menaknits]

I’m really happy you like the video 🥰 I’m definitely going to keep uploading tutorials - thanks for the suggestion!

[@annabelle7123]

The drawing in 21:35 is super helful! So you inspired me to start knitting, and I've almost finished my first top down (or circular) knitting for my nephew's hat. I think my next project will be this! I bought a needle set, I need to get more yarn! I think I'll add some cable in this design. Thank you :)

[@menaknits]

I'm glad it's helpful! What a great idea ☺️ good luck with it!! x

[@jessiemoses4423]

Thank you so much omg

[@menaknits]

:) :)

[@fiohko]

Here to make my cat a vest for Christmas ✨💃🏻

[@debbiemessell997]

Thank you for the great video. You are so great. :) Would love if you could do a knitted sweater.

[@menaknits]

thank you (: yes! I definitely want to make a sweater tutorial one day

[@nonamohemmed1129]

This was my first knit project as a beginner and it turned out really good thank you ❤❤ can you make a sweater tutorial please

[@won528]

how much yarn did u use?

[@user-zp3dj4mf8t]

Now I know what to do

[@AnNguyen-mv2dh]

Thank you so much for your tutorial. It's very helpful 🥰🥰🥰

[@menaknits]

you’re welcome! :) I’m happy you found it useful!

[@angel.heavenly]

I love your channel and your creativity. The video tutorial is very informative, which cannot be said about other videos on this topic. I speak Russian and I am sure that you have such an audience too. Could you make Russian subtitles please. I understand English, but still some points are not clear. P.s. I was so inspired by your video that I'm going to knit from it.❤

[@silvialanus2103]

Great tutorial! Just found your channel.

[@menaknits]

Thank you! I’m glad you found it 🙂

[@dontletthelightgoout214]

Love your accent

[@Inke_Swyzen]

Working on this rn!

[@menaknits]

yayy! happy knitting (:

[@Inke_Swyzen]

@@menaknits I’ve never knit something before so I’m really excited it’s working out so well

[@tahminabegum1206]

Love this video. The instructions are very easy to follow also how you take your time to explain it by speaking slowly or showing the stitches. May I please ask where did you purchase the circular knitting needles from? Thanks 😊

[@menaknits]

Thank you, that is so lovely to hear (: I have a set of interchangeable circular needles from Knit Pro (purchased from amazon). I can't find the exact name of the set I got but they make a whole bunch of different sets and also sell individual needles too! They are so great.. it was a bit of an investment buying a whole set but it's been an absolute game-changer for me.

[@menaknits]

I'd love to see your finished vest - tag me on intagram!