Lorelai Knit Vest Lessons 1 and 2 – Start Strong with Gauge, Cast-On, Ribbing and Stockinette Windows Stitch Pattern
Welcome to the Lorelai Knit Vest, part of the 6th Annual Marly Bird Turkey Trot Make-Along! 🦃✨ This cozy and stylish vest is a crowd favorite, and we’re so excited to guide you through every step. If you haven’t joined the event yet, it’s not too late! Visit link to Turkey Trot event page to sign up, grab your yarn, and stitch along with us.
In this first and second lesson, we’ll start by getting the foundation of your project just right. You’ll learn how to achieve the correct gauge, cast on with confidence, and work the perfect 2×2 ribbing to set up your vest for success.
After your ribbing is complete, it’s time to dive into the Stockinette Windows Stitch Pattern, the signature texture of the Lorelai Knit Vest! This lesson will help you work the pattern with precision, including tips for using markers and counting ridges to keep track of your rows.
Depending on your size, you’ll follow either the offset or not-offset version of the stitch pattern—don’t worry, I explain it all in the lesson 2 video! If you need a refresher, revisit Lesson 1 video for foundational tips and make sure to check out the accompanying video for even more insights.
Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just starting out, this section is packed with tips to make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.
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Lorelai Knit Vest – Turkey Trot 2024
Designed by Marly Bird
SKILL LEVEL
Adventurous Beginner
MEASUREMENTS
To Fit Size
XS (S, M, L-XL, 2X, 3X, 4X-5X)
Finished Measurements
(also see schematic)
Bust 28 (34, 39½, 45, 51, 56.5, 62)” [71 (86.5, 100.5, 114.5, 129.5, 143.5, 157.5) cm]
Length 20½ (21, 23¾, 24½, 25¼, 28, 30½)” [52 (53.5, 60.5, 62, 64, 71, 77.5) cm]
- Designed to have 2-4” of positive ease
Gauge
See Gauge Swatch Instructions Below
17 sts in and 28 rows in Stockinette Windows pattern = 4 x 4” [10 x 10 cm]
- Note: Work a gauge swatch in the Stockinette Windows pattern stitch over 36 stitches and at least 3 full repeats, then rows 1-4 once more. Bind off and measure.
Begin with the Gauge Swatch
Before you start with the pattern, it is important you begin with a gauge swatch to confirm you are using the right size needles for you.
For the gauge swatch, use size 8 [5mm] needles and work up these instructions:
Cast on 36
Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Rows 2-4: Knit.
Row 5: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 8: Knit.
Row 9: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 10: Knit.
Row 11: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 12: Knit.
Row 13: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 14: Knit.
Repeat rows 1-14 two or three times more, then rows 1-4 once more. Bind off.
Measure the swatch.
Gauge: 17 sts in and 28 rows in Stockinette Windows pattern = 4 x 4” [10 x 10 cm]
- If you get TOO MANY STITCHES = Go Up A Needle Size ⬆️
- If you get TOO FEW STITCHES = Go Down A Needle Size ⬇️
MATERIALS
Yarn
Red Heart, Roll With It Melange (100% acrylic, 389 yds / 356 m, 5.29 oz / 150 g CYCA #4 worsted)
3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins: #Autograph
Note: Yarn amounts include an extra ball for color-matching when working the upper front sections.
Knitting Needles
Two 32” [81 cm] U.S. 8 [5 mm] circular needles, or size required for gauge.
Note: Vest is worked back-and-forth in rows; a circular needle is used to hold the full length of the sts. A second needle is included for working both upper front sections at the same time.
Notions
Stitch Holders
ABBREVIATIONS
K – Knit
K2tog – Knit Two Stitches Together
P – Purl
Pm – Place Marker
RS – Right Side
St(s) – Stitches
WS – Wrong Side
SPECIAL STITCHES
⭐️ Ssk (Slip, Slip, Knit): Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, as if to knit. Insert left hand needle into the front of these two stitches and knit them together from this position (1 stitch decreased)
PATTERN STITCHES
Stockinette Windows Pattern (for sizes S, L-XL, 3X)
Worked over a multiple of 12 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Knit.
Row 5: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 8: Knit.
Row 9: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 10: Knit.
Row 11: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 12: Knit.
Row 13: * K2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 14: Knit.
Repeat Rows 1-14 for Stockinette Windows Pattern.
Stockinette Windows Pattern (offset – for sizes XS, M, 2X, 4X-5X)
Worked over a multiple of 12 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Knit.
Row 5: P4, k2, * k2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end to last 6 sts, k2, p4.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: P4, k2, * k2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end to last 6 sts, k2, p4.
Row 8: Knit.
Row 9: P4, k2, * k2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end to last 6 sts, k2, p4.
Row 10: Knit.
Row 11: P4, k2, * k2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end to last 6 sts, k2, p4.
Row 12: Knit.
Row 13: P4, k2, * k2, p8, k2; repeat from * to end to last 6 sts, k2, p4.
Row 14: Knit.
Repeat Rows 1-14 for Stockinette Windows Pattern, offset.
SCHEMATIC
CHART
✅ Full charts for each size is exclusive to the ad-free pdf only available with VIP Upgrade.
NOTES
- Directions are for the smallest size; changes for all other sizes are in parentheses. When only one number is given then that number applies to all sizes.
- Vest is worked from the bottom up in 2 pieces, then seamed together. Optional pockets are worked as-you-go.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
- Long Tail Cast-On >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- Knit Stitch (continental style) >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- Purl Stitch (continental style) >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- How to Tink >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- How to Add Lifeline >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- How to Bury Ends >> Click Here for Video Help <<
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LORELAI KNIT VEST TURKEY TROT 2024
Lesson 1 Begins
BACK
Cast on 62 (74, 86, 98, 110, 122, 134) sts.
Row 1 (WS): K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat the last 2 rows 5 more times – 12 total rows worked in ribbing.
Homework is to finish the ribbing for both the front (directions below) and the back of the vest.
Lesson 2 Begins
pattern update 11/25/2024 1:52 AM – size 4x/5x had cast on for front updated to 134 not 146
Next 2 rows:
Row 1 (WS): P1, work in Stockinette Windows Pattern (or offset version, depending on your selected size) to last st, p1.
Row 2: K1, work in Stockinette Windows Pattern (or offset version, depending on your selected size) to last st, k1.
Work in established Stockinette Windows Pattern for 82 (82, 96, 96, 96, 110, 124) more rows, keeping first and last st in Stockinette st, and ending after a Row 14 of pattern – 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 9) windows created lengthwise.
Homework is to complete these instructions for the back (this will take you to the armhole shaping on the back) and the instructions below for the front (this will take you to the pocket opening).
FRONT
With the second set of needles and a new ball of yarn, continue as follows.
Cast-on 62 (74, 86, 98, 110, 122, 134) sts.
Row 1 (WS): K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat the last 2 rows 5 more times – 12 total rows worked in ribbing.
Next 2 rows:
Row 1 (WS): P1, work in Stockinette Windows Pattern (or offset version, depending on your selected size) to last st, p1.
Row 2: K1, work in Stockinette Windows Pattern (or offset version, depending on your selected size) to last st, k1.
Work in established Stockinette Windows Pattern for 43 more rows, keeping first and last st in Stockinette st, and ending after a Row 3 of pattern.
Completing the front instructions to this point will bring you to the pocket opening on the front. As noted above, the homework is to finish the back of the vest up to the armhole (all the instructions written above) and the front of the vest up to the pocket (all the instructions written above)
✨Your homework for lessons 1 and 2 are to complete the ribbing for both the back and the front of the vest, complete the body of the vest up to the armholes on the back and up to the pocket opening on the fronts. These are all the instructions included on this page.
See you in the next lesson!
Happy Knitting, Marly!
