Free knitting patterns for vests that can be worn in a variety of ways, in all seasons, including pullovers, button fronts and more. Most patterns are free. Updated 11/17/24.
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Smartly Striped Vest
V-neck cardigan vest with stripes bodice above buttoned solid color waist. No picking up stitches. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. Sizes S to 2X. A kit is also available.
Waterrock Vest
Sleeveless pullover vest or top with a 2 round repeat slipped stitch rib bordered by a seed stitch rib. Sizes 30.5 (35, 40, 45, 49.5, 54.5) inch bust. DK weight yarn. Designed by Jennifer Kelley for Appalachian Knits.
Rippling Waves Vest
Pullover v-neck vest with cables and texture. Sizes XS - 2XL. DK weight yarn. Designed by Therese Chynoweth.
Outlandish Bodice Vest
Cabled fitted vest is great for either for an everyday statement piece or for dress-up and costuming. Sizes extra small, small, medium, large. Knit as is for regular wardrobe or customize the corset-style bodice for cosplay with included instructions for extending the peplum and adding laces. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by bron matheson.
Scroll Vest
Pullover sleeveless vest or top with a unique wavy cable and textured seed stitch panels. Sizes 32-34(36-38,40-42, 44-46, 48-50)" 81-86 (91-97, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127) cm. Designed by Georgia Farrell. A kit is also available. DK weight yarn.
Ivy League Vest
Play with colorwork in this fair isle pullover v-neck vest. Knitters used color schemes from pinks to blues to watermelon colors, and beyond. Some knittrs even substituted other fair isle charts with animals, Doctor Who motifs, and more. Designed by Eunny Jang. Sizes 28 (31½, 34¾, 37¾, 41¾)” bust circumference. Pictured projects by the designer and Enebymaria. Need extra help? The designer also offers a class with this pattern.
Milford Vest
This easy open front vest is knit in a two row repeat garter rib stitch and is buttoned the on sides. Designed by Irina Poludnenko for Lion Brand Yarn. XS/S (M/L, 1X/2X)
- Get the free knitting pattern - download link below kit info
- See more Two Row Repeat Knitting Patterns
Shawl Collar Vest
This easy circle shrug / vest by Jennifer Miller is knit in chunky yarn. Great for multi-color yarn. Pictured project by tesle
Ruana Style Vest
Susan Nadel’s design is knit in a rectangle with slits for the cable belt and seamed to form armholes. This versatile style features cables and ribbing in a vest suited to all sizes that can be dressed up or down. Great with multi-color yarn.
More Free Patterns
Vanna’s Blanket Coat Vest
Striped open front vest. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X. Excerpted from Vanna’s Lifestyle.
- Get the free knitting pattern
See more pics and get Vanna’s Lifestyle at Leisure Arts for $2.99 – print or digital download
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
Rib and Twist Vest
Heather Lodinksy’s flattering vest features a unique construction and easily transitions from day-to-night. Chest 35″, 39″, 42″, 46″ 50″, 54″
Collar Cross Vest
This pullover vest from Universal Yarns is a quick knit in in super bulky yarn. (One knitter reported knitting the pieces in less than 4 hours.) Wide range of sizes Small (Medium, Large, 1X, 2X)
Swing Vest
This easy-to-wear vest by Nancy J. Thomas uses mitered squares in garter stitch to create a drape that flatters any figure and easily becomes a dressy look. Great with multi-color yarn. Sizes small/medium, Large, 1X/2X
Cable Best Vest
Buttoned best featuring large braided cables on a honeycomb cable background. Great in multi-color yarn! Sizes small – 2X. Designed by Heather Lodinsky for Red Heart
Seabrook Vest
This draped vest by Amanda Keep Williams is super easy. Just knit a single rectangle with armholdes in seed stitch at a loose gauge and it drapes naturally. Pictured project by lippyone
Midnight Sky Vest
Jodi Snyder’s vest features a unique textured stitch that completments multi-color yarn.
Fringed Cowgirl Vest
This western-style vest can be made with fringe or without. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Designed by Barbara Breiter for Crystal Palace Yarns.
Crosshatch Vest
This versatile accessory by Robyn M. Schrager can be worn many different ways. Knit one rectangle in a drop-stitch cable and garter pattern and then make a clever Y-shaped seam to fashion the armholes. You can now wear the Crosshatch as a swing vest, a sleeveless jacket: with tuxedo cutaway styling, or draped with a handkerchief neckline and fastened at the shoulder with a shawl pin. Knit in lace yarn on large needles.
Patterns for Purchase
Wide Ribbed Vest
Slipover style vest with v-neck. Sizes XXS to 5X. Designed by aitlin Barthold.
Livingstone Vest
Tabard style vest with a modern wrap around shape, worked seamlessly in all-over brioche stitch. Sizes to fit bust 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) [48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62] inches. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Lily Kate France.
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.
Diagonal Lines Vest
Sleeveless wrap cardigan vest featuring a simple diagonal lace pattern that flatters your shape. Can be worn open or closed with a pin, brooch or belt. Sizes XS - XL. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Designed by LaurimuksPatterns.
One Piece TC Vest
Sleeveless textured cardigan sweater with folded collar. A simple knitting pattern worked flat in one piece for at least the advanced beginner. Uses 3 skeins of the recommened jumbo yarn. Designed by Karen Clements.
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern at Etsy
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns ® Magnum yarn (40+ shades)
Nadia Tunic
This statement piece is an A-line sleeveless pullover featuring eastern motifs with cables and tassels. Bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)”
Crosstown Vest
Designed by Norah Gaughan, this intriguing vest can be worn with the center front straps crossed in the front, or uncrossed and open. Knit in one piece from the bottom to underarms, then split to work the back and two fronts separately.
Shawl Collar Vest
The 242 Vest by Devrie Metcalf is a cozy cardigan vest that is perfect for layering and a fast knit with several strands of bulky yarn.
