Free knitting patterns for sleeveless cardigan style vests buttoned in front. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 3/11/24
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Free Patterns
Woman’s Shawl Collar Vest
Sleeveless cardigan vest with buttoned front and shawl collar. Beautiful showcase for self-striping yarn. Sizes to Fit Bust: 34in to 50in. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Plymouth Yarn.
Noro Vest
Sleeveless vest knit with an 8 row repeat short row garter stitch pattern that creates a rippled design with knit in three colorways. Gorgeous showcase for multicolor yarn. Aran yarn. Sizes Bust (closed) 40 (43)in/101.5 (109). Noro Garter Stitch Jacket in Silk Garden.
Timber Run Vest
Slalom stitch cable panels (aptly named!) adorn the asymmetrical front and the back of this cozy collared vest. Knits up fast with super bulky yarn. Sizes 32.5 (34, 37.25, 39, 40.5, 43.75, 47, 52) inches. Designed by Joann Rogers.
Diamond Cable Vest
Sleeveless cardigan vest featuring Irish Moss texture and diamond cables. Sizes XS to 5XL. Bust 34" to 62". Worsted weight yarn. Long Cable Vest Designed by Gayle Bunn for Bernat.
Natural Vest
Sleeveless cardigan vest knit with a 2 row repeat. Sizes To Fit Bust: 71cm/28in to 157cm/62in. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Bernat.
Long Cabled Vest
Layer this versatile vest with cable detail and buttoned front over any top, from t-shirts to ruffled silk blouses. The wearable longer length has been sized to fit a wide range of sizes. Sizes Finished Bust: 36 (40, 45, 48, 53)” [91.5 (101.6, 114.3, 122, 134.6) cm]. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Scarlet Taylor.
Foxglove Vest
Sleeveless vest with a polished casual look worked in one piece in stockinette shaped with short rows and an elegant shawl collar. The pictured vest is tacked in front to become a pullover but you could add a different fastening to create a true cardigan. Sizes Finished Chest Circumference: 32 (36, 39 ½, 43 ½, 47) inches. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Purl Soho.
Nestle Vest
Long sleeveless cardigan vest with a shawl collar, pockets, with Deep Rippled Waves Stitch cable detail. Sizes Bust Measurements: inch 28-30" 32-34" 36-38" 40-42" 44-46" 48-50". Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Jean Klein.
Ayla Vest S10758
Cabled vest or sleeveless cardigan with seed stitch back. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Schachenmayr Design Team. Available in English, Dutch, French, German
Paloma Waistcoat
Cardigan vest in cables and moss stitch with cap sleeves, shawl collar, and pockets. Sizes To fit bust: 81- 86cm 91-97cm, 102-107cm, 112-117cm, 122-127cm / 32-34in 36-38in, 40-42in, 44-46in, 48-50in. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Jody Long for Cascade Yarns.
More Free Patterns
Airy Duster
Cardigan vest knit with a 2 row repeat lace pattern and stylish 3 button fastening at yoke. Sizes Bust Measurement (Buttoned): 34 (39, 44, 48 ½)“ Aran weight yarn. Designed by Melissa Leapman for Cascade Yarns.
Hooded Vest
Cropped cardigan vest with hood with striking cable decreases. Sizes Girls' 12-14 (Girls' 16, Adult S, Adult M, Adult L) Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Hooded Vest with Mirror Cable
Alice Tang’s sleeveless cardigan features cable patterns that mirror the opposite side of the vest. Sizes 36-50″ finished bust
Side To Side Sleeveless Cardi
Quick cardigan vest knit from side to side in one piece. Sizes Finished Bust 38 (42, 46) in. (96.5 (106.5, 117) cm), buttoned. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Vladimir Teriokhin for Lion Brand.
Edda Vest
Versatile cardigan vest with wide 2 row repeat broken rib shawl collar. Vest can be worn open with collar buttoned to side or closed as double breasted front. Sizes S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL). Bust 34" to 62". Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Signe Strømgaard for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, and German,
Aphrodite Waistcoat
Long sleeveless cardigan vest knit with a 4 row repeat lace stitch. Sizes 84[95:106:117]cm (33[37½:41¾:46]in). Designed by Sue Hanmore for Artesano. DK weight yarn.
Long Cabled Vest
Sleeveless cardigan vest with cables and buttons. Sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Bust 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)". Aran weight yarn. Designed by Gayle Bunn for Caron.
Powder Ridge Hooded Vest
Seed stitch hoodie sweater is a quick knit in super bulky yarn. S/M (L, 1X/2X) The pattern doesn’t give yardage. I’m guessing based on the recommended yarn (Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick® Bonus Bundle 4 (5, 6) balls) that the yardage is 696 (870, 1044) yards of yarn.
Buttonbox Vest
Elizabeth McCarten’s vest features a modified gansey pattern with french knots and pockets. Knitters have customized this pattern for other stitch textures, without the pockets, or deeper shawl collar. Great range of sizes XS/S-3X. Pictured project by Tricodentelle
Vested and Stylish
Classic buttoned vest in bust sizes 30-32 (34-36, 38-40-42-44)”. Designed by Kathleen Sams for Red Heart
Viatori Hooded Vest
Fitted sleeveless cardigan with hood and pockets. Available in English and Danish. Designed by Julia Farwell-Clay for Knitty. Aran weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Alice In Wonderland Duster
No longer free. Lace and cable cardigan vest knit with 4 row repeats. Sizes To Fit Bust: 33in/84cm to 50in/128cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by Tahki Yarns.
Gold Digger Vest
No longer free. Cardigan vest knit with a 4 row repeat eyelet rib. Sizes Bust 37 (40, 44, 47, 53, 56)”/94 (101.5, 112, 119.5, 134.5, 142) cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by Rosemary Drysdale for Tahki Stacy Charles.
Anthem Button Vest
This looks like a 4 row repeat lace pattern to me. Perfect for any season but especially for warmer weather, this sleeveless cardigan vest has an all-over lace pattern. Sizes To Fit Bust 32/34" 36/38" 40/42" 44/46" 48/50" 52/54". 10561 designed by Sirdar. DK weight yarn. Yarn also available on pattern page.
Diamond Cable Vest and Cardigan
No longer free. Sleeveless cardigan vest and long-sleeved cardigan knit with a 12 row repeat diamond cable and lace pattern. Sizes To Fit Bust 32/34" 36/38" 40/42" 44/46" 48/50" 52/54". Designed by Sirdar as Cardigan and Waistcoat Sirdar 7913. DK weight yarn. Yarn also available on pattern page.
Greenwich Tunic Vest
Comfortable cardigan tunic vest with moss stitch shawl collar and allover texture. Sizes XXS (31.5" bust) to 6X (73.5" bust) Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Sue McCain.
Easy Daria Vest
Easy sleeveless cardigan vest knitted flat, in one piece. Easy to make and stylish to wear. Sizes 7/9 y, 10/12y - XS- S - M - L – XL- 2XL- 3XL. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by April Miller.
Maryborough Vest
Sleeveless cardigan vest with asymmetric front closure, cable border, and curved bottom edges. Sizes S (M, L, 1X, 2X) to fit bust measurement 32” (36”, 40”, 44”, 48”) / 81 (91, 102, 112, 122) cm. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Alexis Hoy.
Mielie Vest
Sleeveless cardigan vest with pockets and wide ribbed collar can be worn all snapped up, barely fastened with the collar falling open, or all open for a more relaxed look. Sizes Finished bust: 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)” / 71 (81.5, 91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5) cm. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Hilary Smith Callis.
Celtic Knot Vest
Cardigan vest with softly sloping cables on the front, feminine shaping and a stunning Celtic knot design at the back. Women sizes S-XL. Designed by Cardiff Bay Handknits. Aran weight yarn.
