Fall/Winter 2014-2015 - The Anarchist's Collection: #3 - A Vest For Little Dudes (and Girls)

It's the perfect little vest for little dudes (or girls, for that matter). Knitting/crocheting for little dudes is often a challenge: there are thousands of patterns for cute dresses, cardigans and boleros and shrugs, but not so many patterns for vests ou "manly-looking" pieces (don't get me wrong, personally I prefer gender-neutral garments, but most people have a different option). Anyway, when you do find a pattern "suited" for little guys, you stick to it like glue. My all-time favourite is Felipe, by Joji Locatelli. It's available as a free Ravelry download and it's only fault is that it is only available in one size: newborn. However, I was determined to knit this for one of the little dudes in my life (who's almost 3), so I heavily adapted the pattern. Here are my mods:

• Size 9 needles (gauge of 16 st/in);
• Cast on 104 stitches;
• Stockinette stitch portion - 9,5 in;
• Dividing for front and back:
• BO 4 stitches, remove marker, BO 4 more stitches; K3 (P2, K2), P3 over next 48 stitches; BO 8 stitches; K3 (P2, K2), P3 over next 48 stitches.
• Back:
• Continue K2, P2 pattern for 20 rounds;
• K3, P2, K2, P2, BO 26 stiches, P2, K2, P2, K3.
• Continue each strap in pattern for 24 rows (don't forget the buttonhole, if you want to add buttons).
• Front:
• K3, (P2, K2), K3 for 14 rows, BO.

And that's it! Perfect toddler size!