Bowie Vest
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
Bowie Vest Pattern
A versatile knit to help you through the transitional seasons. When I designed this vest, it
originally had sides, but I kept imagining a woman sitting on a beach wearing a bikini &
layering it over the top because the wind had slightly picked up & it made me change the
bows to being not just decorative but having a purpose. The spring version of this piece is
made in brushed alpaca yarn, but I can easily see this being created in more breathable
cotton mixes for the summer months ahead.
The pattern is written for the smallest size with differing instructions for the larger sizes
shown increasing in brackets i.e., XS/S (S/M,M/L,L/XL).
Abbreviation
Action Abbreviation
Stitch st
Stitches st(s)
Knit k
Purl p
Right Side RS
Wrong Side WS
Knit 2 stitches together k2tog
Slip, slip, knit ssk
Slip 1 stitch knitwise sl1k
Slip 1 stitch purlwise sl1p
Materials
• 4 (4,5,6) balls of ‘Bulky’ weight yarn (50g/110m) I recommend Sandnes Garn Børstet
Alpakka (Brushed Alpacca) to achieve my results.
• 6 mm (US 10) straight knitting needles
• 6 mm (US 10) 60cm circular knitting needles
• Tapestry needle
• Measuring tape
• Stitch markers (Both locking & movable)
• Scissors
• Stitch Counter
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
Tension
Approx. 16sts and 20 rows to 10 cm x 10 cm (4”x 4”) square over stocking stitch on 6mm
needles.
Sizing (Approx.)
Measurements taken from item lying flat. Please remember this piece has open sides when
considering what size to make. My advice would be to measure the width against the width
of your shoulders for best fit.
Size XS/S S/M M/L L/XL
UK Size 8-10 12-14 16-18 20-22
Length 39cm/15.3in 44cm/17.3in 49cm/19.2in 54cm/21.2in
Width 32cm/12.5in 41cm/16.1in 50cm/19.6in 59cm/23.2in
Shoulder Length 8cm/3.1in 10.5cm/4.1in 13cm/5.1in 15.5cm/6.1in
Bow Ties Lengths 50cm/20in 50cm/20in 62cm/24.5in 62cm/24.5in
Front Body
• Working from the bottom up. Cast on 57 (71,85,99) sts using the long tail cast
on method onto 6mm straight needles.
• Row 1 sl1p (k1, p1) to end.
• Row 2 sl1k (p1, k1) to end.
• Rows 3-16 repeat rows 1 & 2 a further 7 times.
• Row 17 (WS) Repeat row 1 once more for all sizes.
• Row 18 (RS) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, (place a locking stitch marker) k
37 (51,65,79) (place a locking stitch marker) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
• Row 19 (WS) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, (place a moveable stitch
marker) p37 (51,65,79) (place a moveable stitch marker) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1,
p1, k1, p1.
• Row 20-61 (20-67, 20-73, 20-79) (RS) Repeat rows 18 &19 (using the placed
stitch markers to count & recognise the stitch changes) a further 21 (24,27,30)
times.
Shaping Of 1st Shoulder
From this point you will only be working across a select number of stitches, the
remaining stitches will remain on the straight needles unworked. You will return to
them further down the pattern.
• Row 62 (68,74,80) (RS) working only across first 21 (26,31,36) sts, sl1k, p1,
k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k7 (12,17,22) k2tog, k2 place a stitch marker.
• Row 63 (69,75,81) (WS) p10 (15,20,25) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 64 (70,76,82) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k6 (11,16,21) k2tog, k2.
• Row 65 (71,77,83) p9 (14,19,24) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 66 (72,78,84) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k5 (10,15,20) k2tog, k2.
• Row 67 (73,79,85) p8 (13,18,23) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 68 (74,80,86) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k4 (9,14,19) k2tog, k2.
• Row 69 (75,81,87) p7 (12,17,22) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 70 (76,82,88) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k3 (8,13,18) k2tog, k2.
• Row 71 (77,83,89) p6 (11,16,21) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 72 (78,84,90) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k2 (7,12,17) k2tog, k2.
• Row 73 (79,85,91) p5 (10,15,20) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
• Row 74 (80,86,92) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k1 (6,11,16) k2tog, k2.
• Row 75 (81,87,93) p4 (9,14,19) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1. [14][19][24][29]
• Row 76 (82,88,94) (RS) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k4 (9,14,19).
• Row 77 (83,89,95) (WS) p4 (9,14,19) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 78 (84,90,96) Repeat row 76 (82,88,94) once more.
• Row 79 (85,91,97) Repeat row 77 (83,89,95) once more. Place theses 14
(19,24,29) sts onto a stitch holder, measure 3 x the shoulder width of yarn tail
before removing yarn, you will use this to seam up shoulder(s) later in the
pattern.
Shaping Of 2nd Shoulder
From this point you will return to the awaiting stitches remaining on the straight
needles. Move the next 15 (19,23,27) sts onto a stitch holder (place another stitch
marker) these stitches will form the neckline later in the pattern.
• Row 62 (68,74,80) (RS) working only across remaining 21 (26,31,36) sts k2,
ssk, k7 (12,17,22) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1,p1, k1.
• Row 63 (69,75,81) (WS) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p10 (15,20,25).
• Row 64 (70,76,82) k2, ssk, k6 (11,16,21) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Row 65 (71,77,83) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p9 (14,19,24).
• Row 66 (72,78,84) k2, ssk, k5 (10,15, 20) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Row 67 (73,79,85) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p8 (13,18,23).
• Row 68 (74,80,86) k2, ssk, k4 (9,14,19) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Row 69 (75,81,87) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p7 (12,17,22).
• Row 70 (76,82,88) k2, ssk, k3, (8,13,18) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
• Row 71 (77,83,89) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p6 (11,16,21).
• Row 72 (78,84,90) k2, ssk, k2, (7,12,17) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Row 73 (79,85,91) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p5 (10,15,20).
• Row 74 (80,86,92) k2, ssk, k1 (6,11,16) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Row 75 (81,87,93) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p4 (9,14,19).
[14][19][24][29]
• Row 76 (82,88,94) (RS) k4 (9,14,19) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 .
• Row 77 (83,89,95) (WS) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p4 (9,14,19).
• Row 78 (84,90,96) Repeat row 76 (82,88,94) once more.
• Row 79 (85,91,97) Repeat row 77 (83,89,95) once more. Place theses 14
(19,24,29) sts onto a stitch holder, cut and remove yarn, leave enough of a
yarn tail to weave in later.
Back Section
• Row 1-61 (1-67,1-73,1-79) Repeat the front section.
• Row 62-75 (68-81,74-87,80-93) you will continue to repeat rows 18 & 19 from
the front section, for a further 7 sets, all sizes.
• Row 76 (82,88,94) (RS) Now you will only be working across the first 16
(21,26,31) sts, sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k2 (7,12,17) k2tog, k2 (place a
locking stitch marker). Leave unworked stitches on straight needles you will
come back to them later in the pattern. [15][20][25][30]
• Row 77 (83,89,95) p5 (10,15,20) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
• Row 78 (84,90,96) sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p2, k1 (6,11,16) k2tog, k2.
[14][19][24][29]
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
• Row 79 (85,91,97) p4 (9,14,19) k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1. Place these 14
(19,23,27) sts on a stitch holder, measure 3 x the shoulder width of yarn tail
before removing yarn, you will use this to seam up shoulder(s) later in the
pattern. Then move the next 25 (29,33,37) sts onto another stitch holder,
these will make up the back neckline later in the pattern (place a locking stitch
marker).
• Row 76 (82,88,94) Con. Returning to remaining 16 (21,26,31) sts left on
needles, k2, ssk, k2 (7,12,17) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Row 77 (83,89,95) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p5, (10,15,20).
• Row 78 (84,90,96) k2, ssk, k1 (6,11,16) p2, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Row 79 (85,91,97) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p4 (9,14,19). Place 14
(19,24,29) sts on stitch holder. Cut and remove yarn leaving enough of a yarn
tail to weave in later.
Seaming Shoulders
• You will be using the three-needle cast off method to cast off and seam the
shoulders all in one process. Turn work inside out and line up corresponding
front and back shoulder seams, taking the 6mm straight needles place the
stitches from one set of shoulder seams onto the needles from the stitch
holders. One needle for the front shoulder seam and the other needle for the
back (see image guidance for reference). When moving the stitches, work
from left to right so the knitting needle pointed ends position out towards the
outside edge of the work. Then taking the end of the 6mm circular needle and
the extra-long yarn tail (you measured earlier) start casting off the stitches in
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
pairs. Hold the straight needles together side by side in one hand and the 3 rd
6mm knitting needle in the other to work along the row until the last set of
stitches have been cast off. Video direction help is available on my Instagram.
Repeat the method for second shoulder seam. If you haven’t left an extra-long
yarn tail, you can just use a new length of yarn, there will just be more
weaving in at the end.
Neckline
• Once both shoulders are seamed, you will beable to move onto completing
the neckline. Taking the 6mm 60cm circular needles move the front neckline
awaiting stitches from the stitch holder & then remove the back awaiting
stitches. Once all stitches are moved onto the circular needles, you will start
picking up stitches for your neckline starting from the left shoulder seam,
working clockwise around the neck opening. First you will pick up 18 stitches
from the shoulder seam down to your 1st stitch marker, you will now pick up
15 (19, 23,27) sts going back over the central stitches that are now waiting on
the circular needles from the stitch holder, pick up a further 18 stitches from
the 2nd stitch marker, back up to the 2nd shoulder seam. Then starting on the
back section, pick up 3 stitches before going over the stitches already waiting
on the circular needles from the stitch holder, picking up 25 (29,33,37) lastly
pick up 3 more stitches finishing back at the starting point. Once complete you
should have 82 (90,98,106) sts in total on the circular needles. These stitch
amounts have been worked out specifically with the pattern but if find you
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
have picked up more or less than stated, just make sure your stitches are
even to beable to work in 1x1 ribbing.
• Rows 1 - 6 (k1, p1) working in ribbing stitch on 6mm 60cm circular knitting
needles.
• Row 7 Cast off neckline using the tubular cast off method, see tips section for
help & video guidance on my Instagram page. If you don’t feel confident
enough to try this method you can use the stretchy blind off method of knitting
all the knit stitches and purling all the purl stitches as you cast off, this method
is also available on my Instagram page to follow.
Making The Bow Ties
• You will repeat the instructions four times to make both sets of ties. Cast on
8sts onto 6mm straight needles using long tail cast on method.
• Row 1 (WS) sl1p, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
• Rows 2-100 (2-120) Repeat row 1 until length measures approximately 20”
(20”,24.5”,24.5”) cast off in basic cast off.
Finishing
• Attach the bow ties, by laying your piece flat, inside facing up. Then take each
tie and line the cast-off edge to the inside row of first run of knit stitches that
sit along the central main purl section (there will be a large purl section framed
with two vertical runs of knit stitch), directly above the ribbing (please see
image guidance for reference). Secure the stitches together by sewing the
horizontal bars from each row together (the vertical invisible seam method)
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
once attached make sure the ends are secured with care as you will be using
the ties to fasten, so the seam needs to hold strong. Repeat the process for
all 4 ties making sure to line them up as directed so they pair up at the same
position on both sides of your work.
• Weave in the tail ends using the tapestry needle and then enjoy wearing your
new ‘GoldFreckles’ woolly.
Tips
• How To Cast Off Using Tubular Cast Off Method - First measure a yarn
length 3 x the circumference of your neckline opening, before cutting it and
removing the ball of yarn. Then take a tapestry needle and thread the yarn tail
onto it. First use 2 locking stitch markers on the first & second stitch on the
row, this will be important at the end. You will now take the tapestry needle
through that (1) first stitch as if to knit (left to right) and then remove the stitch
off the circular needle. Then you will (2) skip the next stitch on the row and go
into the (3) second stitch as if to purl (right to left) leaving it on the needle, go
back to the (4) first stitch and again thread the yarn tail though as if to purl,
you can remove this stitch now off the circular needle. Then from the (5) back
take your tapestry needle and push it through between the 1st & 2nd stitch next
on the row, pull that through, (6) then go knitwise into the second stitch. That
completes all the steps, you will continue working around fulfilling each step
from 1-6 continuously until you come to the last two stitches on the needles.
To complete the round, find your first stitch marker, place this stitch back on
your needle joining the last two stitches on the round, then do the same with
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
the second stitch marker, making sure these stitches are placed on the needle
flowing in the right direction, so you don’t twist the stitch(es). You should now
have four stitches to work with, work the first stitch as if to knit using the
tapestry needle and take it off the needle, again skip the next stitch and work
the second stitch on the row purlwise, remove the first stich off the needle as
if to purl, then go through the back between the two stitches, finally go
knitwise though the last stitch on the row and you will beable to remove both
stitches off the needle completing your cast off on the round. Leave a long
enough yarn tail to weave in on the inside seam.
Please use the Hashtags #GFKnits and #BowieVest if you add your creations
to social media so I can find them because I love seeing them all, thank you!!!
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
Bowie Vest (Stage Guidance Images)
1. Casting on. 2. Ribbing section complete. 3. Main body complete
showing use of stitch markers.
4. Marking out first 5. First shoulder complete & 6. Placing middle central
shoulder & start of using a piece of cotton for a stitches on a stitch holder and
decreases to create stitch holder. shaping started on second
neckline. shoulder with decreases.
7. Front section completed & 8. Longer back body 9. Shaping completed on first
all stitches on stitch holders. section completed. shoulder on back section.
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
11. Detail image of lining up the 12. Completed seamed
10. Second shoulder on back shoulders preparing stitches on shoulder using three-needle
section completed. needles to do a three-needles cast/bind off.
cast/bind off.
13. Both shoulders completed, 14. After all stitches have 15. Ribbing completed on
now to move onto neckline. been transferred and picked neckline ready for casting
up on circular needles for off.
neckline.
GoldFreckles
Pattern
16. Making of the ties. 17. Where to position
the ties onto the main
piece to seam.
Bowie Vest © 2023, Saskia Thomas (GoldFreckles).
