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Holiday Toddler Vest Here's a shot of our Holiday Toddler. Click on the photo to see vest closeup. Click here to see the chart

Photo and pattern ©2001 by Liz Thayer (fka Elizabeth Clouthier)
Please respect copyright by contacting the author before distributing this pattern.

General: This little vest is worked in the round from the bottom up. At the armholes you have the option of continuing in the round and using steeks for the neck and armholes, or switching to working flat. It appears to fit size 18 mo. (very generously) up to 4T. Our little guy in the above photo is a full 2T and wore it for 3 more years. p.s. I've only worked this pattern once to please let me know of any errors or omissions.

Materials:
Paton's Astra or equivalent weight yarn, 1 skein each red, green, & cream (or your choice of colors).
Size 6 circular needles, 20" or shorter
Double pointed needles (dpn) for arm & neck ribbing, size 6 (or smaller if tighter ribbing is desired)

Gauge: 5.5 st and 6 rows per inch in two-color pattern in the round

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CO 144 sts on ribbing needles in green. Join and work 1X1 rib in the round for approx. 1.25".
Change to size 6 circular needles if necessary, change to red yarn, and start chart at lower right corner, row 1.
Work chart through round 48 (approx. 9" from cast on).
On round 49, place marker after stitch 36 (center front) and after stitch 72 (right armhole).

DECISION TIME: You're ready to start the armhole shaping. You can switch to working flat or continue in the round and work steeks for armholes and neck.

FLAT: Front: Continue working chart (row 50), bind off 4 sts at beginning of this row and next row.
Next row, start armhole shaping: decrease 1 stitch each side of armhole every row 5 times.
Work until armhole measures approx. 1" then start neck shaping (approx. row 54): decrease 1 stitch either side of neckline every other row.
At the same time, work chart through row 78 (armholes measure approx. 5").
Switch background color to green and work rows 79-83 from chart.
Put shoulder stitches on holders.

FLAT: Back: Continue in pattern from chart (row 50). Bind off 4 sts at beginning of this row and next row.
Next row, start armhole shaping: decrease 1 stitch each side of armhole every right side row 5 times.
Continue working in pattern through row 78.
Change background color to green and work rows 79-83 from chart.
Proceed to FINISHING section.

CIRCULAR: Slip 4 stitches from right tip back on to left tip and bind off 8 stitches for underarm.
Cast on 5 stitches for steek, then continue in pattern until 4 sts before marker at right armhole.
Bind off stitches 69-76 (8 sts) and cast on 5 stitches for steek.
Work rest of round in pattern. (NOTE: Work steek stitches in checkerboard pattern, alternating red and white yarns.)
Start armhole shaping: decrease 1 stitch each side of armhole every round 5 times.
Work for approx. 1" then start neck shaping on either side of marker at center front (approx. row 54): decrease 1 stitch either side of neckline every other round.
At the same time, continue working chart following established patterns on front and back and alternating steek stitches in red & white.
Work through row 78 (armholes measure approx. 5"), then change background color to green and work rounds 79-83 of chart.
Place shoulder and neck stitches on holders.

CIRCULAR: Cutting Steeks: Stitch and cut arm & neck steeks. Fold flaps to inside and whipstitch down with red yarn, being careful not to pull stitches on front. Continue with FINISHING section.

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FINISHING: (both methods) Turn vest inside out. Place right front shoulder stitches on one needle, right back shoulder stitches on another.
(Return neck stitches and left shoulder stitches to holder.)
Hold the two needles together in your left hand and work 3-needle bind off as follows: Knit shoulder sts from front needle together with shoulder sts from back needle and bind off as you go.
Repeat for left shoulder, keeping back neck stitches on holder.
Turn vest right side out.
Armholes: With dpns, pick up 58 stitches evenly spaced around armhole. Working in 1X1 rib, decrease 1 stitch at each end of underarm (where the bound off stitches are) every other row. Work rib for 3/4", bind off.
Neck: Pick up 79 sts evenly around neck opening (just knit the back neck stitches from the holder into place, making sure to pick one stitch up at center front at marker between two stitches, twisting the connecting yarn between the two center front stitches when picking up the stitch to prevent a hole. Working in 1X1 rib, work a **double decrease at center front every other round 3 times. Work until ribbing is 3/4", bind off. Sew in ends.
**Double decrease: Slip 2 sts together as if to knit to right needle. Knit next stitch. Pull the two slipped stitches, one at a time, over the new stitch and off the needle.

LAST STEP: Try to get your holiday toddler to wear it. ;)

All materials© 2001 by Liz Thayer (fka Elizabeth Clouthier)
hiitsjustmee -at- yahoo -dot- com
http://www.pigdogfarm.com
Please respect copyright by contacting the author before distributing this pattern.