Skip to Content

Toddler Vest Knitting Pattern

Posted on Last updated: /

Where has the time gone? I can’t believe that July is ending…..  Actually, I completed this knitted vest for my son in May but am only able to post it now… vest knitting pattern writing is time-consuming.

knitted vest pattern

I used circular needles all the way for this knitted vest pattern. Firstly, I can save up a little time by not having to work on the side seams. Secondly, it is much more comfortable to wear without the extra piece of seam on the sides. The shoulder seam is also an invisible type, which I didn’t bind off upon finishing the shoulder. I just left all the stitches on the needle and sewed them up by weaving stitch to stitch, resembling a row of knitting.

knitted vest pattern

This free Toddler Vest Knitting Pattern is suitable for toddlers from ages 2 to 5. I made it comfortable to wear so that kids won’t fuss over it, even wearing it alone as a sleeveless top.

What’s Next

  • Start knitting and share your completed handmade on Facebook and/or Instagram. Remember to tag us, @craftpassion, so that we are able to see them.
  • Pin it to Pinterest for future To-Knit List
  • Share with your knitting groups for a knit-along event.
  • Browse more free knitting patterns to make.
knitted vest pattern

TODDLER VEST KNITTING PATTERN

Yield: 24″ (CHEST) TODDLER VEST
Active Time: 3 days
Total Time: 3 days
Difficulty: Avid Beginner/Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $10 - $15

This free Toddler Vest Knitting Pattern is suitable for toddlers from age 2 to 5. I made it comfortable to wear so that kids won’t fuss over it even wearing it alone as a sleeveless top.

Enjoy knitting them!

Materials

Yarn: 100% cotton, baby or sport weight yarn

  • Steinbach Capri Ombre, color code 911, qty=50g x 3
  • White, qty=20g

Tools

  • Circular Knitting Needle – 4mm/40cm length & 3.5mm/40cm length or shorter
  • Crochet hook – 3.5mm for casting stitches on circular needle
  • Tapestry needle
  • Markers

Instructions

MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO KNIT TODDLER VEST

Finishing Size

At Underarm 13″
Length 15.5″
To fit chest 24″
Suits age 2-5 toddler


Tension

23 sts and 30 rows to 4″ (10cm) square on 4mm needles.



Abbreviations

· K – Knit
· P – Purl
· st(s) – stitch(es)
· k2tog – knit 2 together
· yo – yarn over
· dec – decrease by working 2 sts together
· beg – beginning
· rep – repeat
· RS – right side
· WS – wrong side
· rnd – round

Pattern

Work on right side
rnd 1 : k12
rnd 2 : k5, yo, k2tog, k5
*rnd 3 – 5 : rep rnd 1
*rnd 6 : rep rnd 2
rep * until rnd 11
rnd 12 : p12



Body
This vest knits from bottom to top.

With 3.5mm crochet hook, provisional cast on 168 sts with scrap yarn on 4mm circular needle. Bind of. Tie ends together to form a circle. Click here for the video on how to make provisional cast-on using a crochet hook and scrap yarn.

Remark: the scrap yarn will be removed for ribbing sts, so make sure you are able to untie the ends.

Change to main yarn. Starting with a K rnd, work in circular with pattern begins at rnd 2 for 66 rnds. Place marker on the first st. You will have 14 repeated patterns in a round.



Shape Armhole
Cast off 4 sts at the end of the rnd
Cast off 4 sts at the beg of the rnd, k76, cast off 8sts, k76



Back
Turn to the wrong side facing
Cast off 3 sts at the beg of next 2 rows (70sts)
Cast off 2 sts at the beg of next 2 rows (66sts)
Dec 1st at the beg and end of next 3 row (60sts) *
Work 34 row, ending with RS for the next row



Shape Neck
Work 17 sts for next 2 rows
Work 15 sts for next 2 rows
Work 13 sts for next 3 rows
Cut yarn
Pass all sts from left to right needle, rep back right neck in reverse order.
Cut yarn and leave all sts on the circular needle and continue to work on the front portion.



Front
Work as Back until *
Work 13 rows, ending with WS for the next row



Shape Neck
Work 19 sts for next 2 rows
Work 17 sts for next 2 rows
Work 15 sts for next 2 rows
Dec 1 st at the end of the row and beg of next row
Work 13 sts for next 20 rows
Cut yarn
Pass all sts from left to right needle, rep front left neck in reverse order.
Cut yarn and leave all sts on the circular needle for the make up



Make Up
Join shoulder seams by weaving st by st to resemble a row of knitting. This method will give an invisible seam for both RS and WS.



Ribbing Pattern
Work in rib stitch around begin with k1 p1 for 7 rounds
rnd 1, 2, 3, 5 & 7 – white
rnd 4 & 6 – main yarn



Bottom Rib
Remove bottom scrap yarn while slipping sts on 3.5mm circular needle.
Place marker on the first st.
Dec 6 sts evenly on the first rnd while working on the ribbing. (162sts)
Bind-off Rib stitch.



Collar Rib
With RS facing and 3.5mm crochet hook, cast on 120 sts on 3.5 circular needle.
Place market on the first st.
Work on the ribbing.
Bind-off rib stitch.



Armhole Rib
With RS facing and 3.5mm crochet hook, cast on 114 sts on 3.5 circular needle.
Place market on the first st.
Work on the ribbing.
Bind-off rib stitch.

knitted vest pattern

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram. Don't forget to tag @craftpassion so that we can see it.

Follow Craft Passion's Network:

Mariette Roy

Tuesday 22nd of March 2016

found my mistake sorry Mariette Roy

Craft Passion

Tuesday 22nd of March 2016

Sorry for my late reply but I am glad that you have overcome it.

Mariette Roy

Tuesday 22nd of March 2016

I just started the pattern for toddler vest knitting pattern if you cast on 168 stitches with row 2 it will not come out right can you help?

Chandra

Thursday 23rd of April 2015

Can I get this in a crocheted pattern? I can not knit.

Craft Passion

Thursday 30th of April 2015

Sorry, Chandra. I didn't develop this pattern into crochet stitch.

Linda

Friday 20th of September 2013

Hi, I'd like to make 1 for my son but I'm new in knitting and I do not understand the instruction given above. Do you have a tutorial? Thanks...

Craft Passion

Friday 20th of September 2013

Hi Linda, Sorry, I don't have detail tutorial on the basic. Perhaps youtube is the first place you need to visit to learn the basic, like how to reduce stitches for arm-hole and neck-hole etc. Good luck!

lorraine russell

Saturday 15th of June 2013

Please i would like the pattern to the vest as i can only see the vest itself and not the pattern to make it and i would to knitt it for my grandson thanking you .

Craft Passion

Saturday 15th of June 2013

The knitting pattern is on page 2, please click "2" at the end of the post.

Skip to Instructions