Aurora Bloom Knitted Vest Free Pattern – Textured Garden Stitch

Introducing the Aurora Bloom Knitted Vest

Wrap yourself in the soft embrace of a hand-knitted vest adorned with delicate floral motifs and a rich, earthy palette. The Aurora Bloom Knitted Vest is a cozy layering piece that brings a touch of botanical charm to any outfit, perfect for crisp autumn days. This textured garden stitch pattern combines a smooth stockinette body with scattered embroidered flowers, creating a subtle yet stunning botanical texture. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner looking for a rewarding project, this free pattern will guide you through creating a relaxed, boxy vest with a classic V-neck and ribbed edgings. The result is a handcrafted masterpiece that feels as beautiful as it looks.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors:
  • Main Color (MC) – Sage Green
  • Contrast Color 1 (CC1) – Dusty Rose
  • Contrast Color 2 (CC2) – Cream
• Needles: US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for embroidery and finishing
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (important for correct sizing)

Sizes and Abbreviations

Sizes: S (M, L) – Finished chest: 36 (40, 44) inches

Abbreviations:

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• K2tog: knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• YO: yarn over
• PM: place marker
• SM: slip marker
• St(s): stitch(es)
• MC: main color
• CC1: contrast color 1
• CC2: contrast color 2

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back Panel

Ribbing and Body:

1. With MC, CO 90 (100, 110) sts.
2. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 2 inches. This creates a neat, stretchy hem.
3. Switch to stockinette stitch (K on right side, P on wrong side) and work even until piece measures 12 (13, 14) inches from cast-on edge. This forms the main body of the back panel.

Armhole Shaping:

4. Bind off for armholes: Bind off 5 (6, 7) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. This creates the initial armhole depth.
5. Decrease for armhole: Decrease 1 st on each side every other row 4 (5, 6) times. To do this:
   • On right side rows: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
   • On wrong side rows: P1, P2tog (through back loop for a left-leaning decrease), purl to last 3 sts, P2tog, P1. (Alternatively, you can work all decreases on right side rows for simplicity, but the above ensures a clean edge.)
6. Continue in stockinette stitch without further decreases until armhole measures 7 (8, 9) inches from the bind-off edge.

Shoulder Shaping:

7. Bind off for shoulders: Bind off 8 (9, 10) sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows. This shapes the sloped shoulders.
8. Bind off the remaining 28 (30, 32) sts for the back neck. These stitches form the back neckline.

Front Panel

Body and Armholes:

1. Work the front panel exactly as the back panel until the armhole shaping is complete (after step 5 of the back panel). You will have the same number of stitches remaining.
2. Continue in stockinette stitch until the armhole measures 5 (6, 7) inches. The front armhole is intentionally shorter than the back to create the V-neck depth.

Neck Shaping (V-Neck):

3. Divide for neck: Work across the first 20 (22, 24) sts, then place the remaining sts on a stitch holder or waste yarn. You will work the left side of the front first (or right, depending on your preference).
4. Decrease for neck: Decrease 1 st at the neck edge (the edge closest to the center) every row 6 times. To do this:
   • On right side rows (neck edge is on the left): K1, SSK, knit to end.
   • On wrong side rows (neck edge is on the left): P1, P2tog through back loop, purl to end.
5. Continue decreasing: Then decrease 1 st at the neck edge every other row 4 times. Use the same decrease methods as above, but only on every other row (right side rows).
6. Work even: After all decreases, work even in stockinette stitch until the armhole measures the same as the back panel (7 (8, 9) inches from bind-off).
7. Bind off shoulder: Bind off 8 (9, 10) sts at the armhole edge (the side opposite the neck) for the shoulder. Repeat this bind-off on the next armhole-side row if needed (you should have 2 bind-offs for the shoulder, matching the back).
8. Repeat for other side: Attach yarn to the remaining stitches on the holder, and work the other side of the neck symmetrically. Decrease at the neck edge (now on the right side) using SSK on right side rows and P2tog through back loop on wrong side rows. Bind off the shoulder as before.

Floral Motif Embroidery

This is where the Aurora Bloom truly comes to life. Using CC1 (Dusty Rose) and CC2 (Cream), you will embroider delicate flowers onto the front panel of the vest.

1. Prepare your yarn: Cut a length of CC1 about 18 inches long and thread it through a tapestry needle.
2. Create the flower petals: Each flower consists of 5 chain stitches arranged in a circle. To make a chain stitch:
   • Bring the needle up through the fabric from the back to the front.
   • Insert the needle back down a short distance away (about 1/8 inch) to create a small loop.
   • Bring the needle up again at the starting point, and pass it through the loop you just created, pulling gently to form a small petal shape.
   • Repeat this to create 5 petals radiating from a central point, forming a flower shape.
3. Add the center: Using CC2 (Cream), create a French knot in the center of each flower:
   • Bring the needle up through the center of the flower.
   • Wrap the yarn around the needle 2-3 times.
   • Insert the needle back down close to where it came up, holding the wraps in place with your thumb as you pull the needle through. This creates a small, textured knot.
4. Placement: Scatter approximately 10-12 flowers randomly across the front panel. Avoid placing them too close to the ribbing at the bottom, the armhole edges, or the neckline. Space them evenly for a balanced, organic look. You can place them on both the left and right sides of the V-neck, as well as in the center.

Finishing

1. Sew shoulder seams: With the right sides together, use a tapestry needle and MC yarn to mattress stitch the shoulder seams together.
2. Armhole edging:
   • With MC, pick up and knit 80 (88, 96) sts evenly around the armhole opening. Use a circular needle or double-pointed needles if preferred.
   • Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch.
   • Bind off in pattern (knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as you bind off).
   • Repeat for the other armhole.
3. Neckline edging:
   • With MC, pick up and knit 100 (110, 120) sts around the entire neckline, including the V-neck edges and the back neck. Start at the bottom of the V on one side, work up to the shoulder, across the back, and down the other side to the bottom of the V.
   • Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch.
   • Bind off in pattern.
4. Sew side seams: With right sides together, use a mattress stitch to sew the side seams from the bottom hem up to the armhole bind-off edge.
5. Weave in all ends: Use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose yarn ends on the wrong side of the vest.
6. Block to measurements: To achieve the perfect shape and stitch definition, wet block your vest. Soak it in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash, gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring), and lay it flat on a towel. Shape it to the finished measurements and allow it to dry completely. This will smooth out the stitches and give your vest a professional finish.

Your Aurora Bloom Knitted Vest is now complete! The combination of the rich sage green background with the delicate dusty rose and cream flowers creates a truly unique, handcrafted piece that you'll love wearing all season long. Happy knitting!