Free knitting patterns for sweaters that can be layered as vests or worn alone as tops. Updated 12/1/25
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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
Bittern Striped Vest
I admit I love the whole outfit topped by this knit cardigan vest with the striped tee underneath and the animal print skirt. The sleeveless vest is knit in a 4-row repeat of two color stripes. Sizes 87 to 160cm / 34 to 63”. DK weight yarn. Designed by Holly Townsend.
Turtleneck Vest With Side Slits
This looks so cozy and easy to slip on over a tee or dress up with a jacket. The slipover is knit flat, including collar and arm bands. Sizes XS to 5XL. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Red Heart.
Wineberry Vest
Cozy, turtleneck popover knit seamlessly from the top down mostly knit stitches. Sizes Bust: 36 to 72" / 91.5 to 183 cm. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team.
Aran Vest
Cabled v-neck slipover or top knit with diamond cables, rope cables, and move textures. Sizes S to XXL. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Lana Gatto.
Ember Vest
V-neck slipover or sleeveless top knit with a colorful stranded checkerboard design. Sizes S to XXL. Designed for at least 12 colors, it's a great stash buster for Aran weight yarn. Designed by Kaffe Fassett.
Checkerboard Vest
Stash buster patchwork look vest or sleeveless top knit with an intarsia checkerboard. Sizes XS to 6X. Designed for at least 6 colors, it's a great use for leftover DK weight yarn. Bad Rap designed by Merri Fromm for Knitty.
Mimi Slipover
Cable vest or sleeveless top with cables on front, ribbed back, reverse stockinette trim. Sizes S to XL. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Sys Fredens.
7798 Slipover
Pullover vest or top with shawl collar, garter stitch yoke, and vertical zigzag lace. Sizes 77 cm to 142 cm / 31" to 57". Aran weight yarn. Designed by Elle.
More Free Patterns
Turtle Neck Vest
Colorful slipover or top with ribbed collar knit with sections of checkerboard and stripes. Sizes S to XL. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Spotlight.
Dagian
Versatile pullover that can be knit as a vest or long-sleeved sweater. Includes options for a classic crew neck or a deep V neck. Knit with garter and twisted stitches lines with optional bobbles. Sizes 82 to 170cm / 32 to 67". Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Audrey Borrego.
Split Vest
V-neck vest or top knit with ribbed lines framing the neck and continuing down center front and back. Sizes XS to 3XL. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Marianne Nørbo for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish
Paris Vest
Pullover vest or sleeveless top knit with alternating sections of bobbles and ribbed texture. Knit both in the round and flat, but no picking up stitches. Sizes XXS to XL. DK weight yarn. Designed by Ditte Lerche for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish
Lanrick Slipover
Short-sleeved pullover vest or tee knit with a zigzag chevron texture in in 8 row repeat. Sizes XS to XL. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Käte Stödter.
Minas Vest
Colorful vest or sleeveless top knit with 5 colors in stripes of 2 color 1x1 stockinette. Sizes 43 to 69” / 105 to 175 cm. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Cecilia Lalanne and Gabriella Calderini. Available in English and Spanish
Beyond Cables Vest and Skirt
Matching vest or sleeveless top and skirt knit with alternating large and small rope cables. Three lengths: cropped, tunic, and dress. Sizes XS to 4XL. Sample is knit with marled Sport and DK weight yarns. Designed by Wool and Beyond. A kit is also available.
Peacock Top
Sleeveless top or slipover vest with fitted yoke that turns into a ruffled flare. Three lengths: cropped, tunic, and dress. Sizes XS to 5XL. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Kaffka.
Patterns for Purchase
Diamond Vest
Argyle patterned v-neck vest. Sizes 85 to 125 cm / 33.5 to 49.25”. Fine weight yarn. Designed by Vivian Aas
Flamingo Set Vest and Skirt
Matching cardigan vest and skirt, both knit flat in garter stitch with ombre gradient stripes. Sizes XS to XL. Designed by SkovCreations
My Very Vest Dress
Tartan plaid v-neck sweater vest dress with customizable length. 9 Sizes. Designed by areuknittingme
Velvet Moss Vest
V-neck vest knit with a herringbone texture. Front and back are knit flat sideways as one piece. Sizes 32 to 64” / 81 to 162.56cm. Designed by HundredAcreWool
Herbarium Slipover
Pullover vest knit with a simple yet elegant leaf motif that adds rich texture. 3 Sizes. Aran weight yarn. Designed by loveknit.nl
Easy Square Slipover
Pullover vest knit with a basketweave checkered texture created just with knits and purls. Sizes XS to 4XL. Medium weight yarn. Designed by easy as knit
Maeve Vest
All-over cabled vest or sleeveless top with a unique wraparound cable detail along the armholes. Sizes To Fit Bust: 71cm to 167cm / 28 to 66". Sport weight yarn. Designed by EmmesKnits
Harriet Vest
Cabled sleeveless pullover vest or waistcoat knit sideways. Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm to 127cm. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss
