A sweater vest is the perfect “almost sweater.” There are no sleeves to knit, so it takes less yarn and less time, but you still get to learn garment shaping, necklines and armhole bands. Wear it over a button-up shirt, a turtleneck or a simple tee, and it looks good from fall into spring.
We checked every one of these 12 free knit sweater vest patterns. You will find quick chunky vests for beginners, cozy textured slipovers, classic cables and checks, and a few bold colorwork designs. Each one lists the yarn weight, needle size and where to get it.
Knit Sweater Vest Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Circular knitting needles (24–32 inch) in your pattern size
- 16-inch circular needle for the neck and armhole bands
- Wool or wool-blend yarn in your pattern weight
- Stitch markers
- Stitch holders or scrap yarn
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Soft tape measure
1. Change Your Stripes Vest
If you can knit, you can make this vest. It uses only the knit stitch, and the colors change every two rows for fun, cheerful stripes. Chunky yarn on big needles means it grows fast. This is the easiest way to make your first garment and feel proud wearing it.
- Designer: Bernat / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: see pattern (Bernat Softee Chunky)
- Needle size: US 11 (8 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Kitty’s Vest
Photo: Gary Ray Smith / Ravelry
Kitty’s Vest is a one-size, oversized vest made with four strands of DK held together, which turns into a super bulky fabric. It uses only knit stitches and basic shaping, and it is knit in one piece bottom-up, then seamed at the sides. A great way to use up leftover DK yarn and make a cozy scrappy layer.
- Designer: Gary Ray Smith / Ravelry
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (4 strands of DK held together)
- Needle size: US 13 (9 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Mossy Forest Vest
Photo: Tori Gurbisz Chapel (Premier Yarns) / Ravelry
Mossy Forest is a textured bulky vest knit bottom-up in pieces, then seamed. The neckband and armhole edges are picked up and worked at the end. It uses knit, purl, a few decreases and yarn overs, so it is a nice next step after your first easy garment.
- Designer: Tori Gurbisz Chapel (Premier Yarns) / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky
- Needle size: US 10.5 (6.5 mm) and US 11 (8 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Dad’s Cabled Vest
A classic men’s slipover with a cable panel on the front and plain stockinette on the back. It comes in five sizes, from 40 to 56 inches at the chest. Soft, washable yarn makes it an easy gift for Dad, a brother or a partner who likes a smart, simple layer.
- Designer: Ira Dearing / Caron (LoveCrafts)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Aran (Caron Simply Soft)
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Deep V Cabled Vest
Photo: Vladimir Teriokhin / Lion Brand Yarn
A long, dramatic vest with big cables and a deep V neckline. Super bulky yarn makes the cables bold and the knitting fast, but the pattern is rated for experienced knitters. It finishes at about 48 inches around and 32 inches long, so it works as a cozy long layer over leggings or jeans.
- Designer: Vladimir Teriokhin / Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Advanced (Level 5 – Experienced)
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Classic Checked Vest
Photo: John Crane / Ravelry
A sleeveless unisex V-neck vest covered in a crisp checked pattern. You can knit it in two or three colors, so it is easy to make it bold or subtle. Worsted yarn keeps it quick, and the look is timeless enough to wear for years.
- Designer: John Crane / Ravelry
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Tamland Vest
Photo: Mel Kennelly / Berroco
Tamland takes the classic argyle vest and turns it into a bold geometric print. It is worked from a chart in two colors on larger needles. If you have done a little colorwork and want a modern take on a preppy classic, this is a fun one to try.
- Designer: Mel Kennelly / Berroco
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern (Berroco Ultra Wool and Berroco Sesame)
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Clove Vest
Clove is designed for Noro’s self-striping yarn, so the colors shift on their own as you knit. It is sized from XS to 5XL, which is a big range for a free pattern. A good pick if you want a colorful vest without managing lots of separate colors.
- Designer: Laura Zukaite / Noro (LoveCrafts)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Fingering (Noro Okunoshima)
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9) and 6 mm (US 10)
- Price: Free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Living Your Best Vest
A two-tone slipover in a chunky textured stitch. It is knit flat in pieces and seamed, and it comes in seven sizes for chests from 81 to 147 cm (about 32 to 58 inches). Super chunky yarn on big needles makes it a fast and very cozy layer.
- Designer: Paintbox Yarns / LoveCrafts
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Bulky (Paintbox Wool Blend Super Chunky)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11) and 9 mm (US 13)
- Price: Free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Latvian Vest
Photo: Kieran Foley / Knitty
A colorful stranded vest inspired by Latvian knitting traditions, with short-row shoulders joined by a three-needle bind-off. Fine 4-ply yarn makes the patterns crisp and detailed. The designer recommends it for knitters with some sweater experience, so save it for when you feel ready.
- Designer: Kieran Foley / Knitty
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: 4-ply / fingering
- Needle size: US 1 (2.25 mm) and US 3 (3.25 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Lipsky Vest
Lipsky is a bright, quirky vest inspired by painter Pat Lipsky and 1980s color play. It is worked seamless from the top down using intarsia, stranded colorwork and stripes. If you love bold color and want to try intarsia in the round, this one is a showstopper.
- Designer: Rachel Brockman / Knitty
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK
- Needle size: US 5 (3.75 mm), US 6 (4 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Dagian
Photo: Audrey Borrego / Ravelry
Dagian can be knit as a vest or a full sweater, with a crew or V neck. It has a quiet texture of garter and twisted-stitch lines, with optional bobbles. Light fingering yarn makes a fine, elegant fabric. Pick this when you want a refined vest that goes with everything.
- Designer: Audrey Borrego / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Light fingering (4-ply)
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm) and US 2 (2.75 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First garment ever? Start with #1 Change Your Stripes. It is all knit stitch.
- Got a pile of DK scraps? #2 Kitty’s Vest uses four strands held together.
- Love cables? Try #4 Dad’s Cabled Vest, then #5 Deep V Cabled Vest when you feel confident.
- Want color without the fuss? #8 Clove uses self-striping yarn, and #6 Classic Checked is a simple two-color check.
- Looking for a classic, everyday vest? #12 Dagian or #3 Mossy Forest go with everything.
FAQ
How much yarn do I need for a knit sweater vest?
Much less than a sweater. A worsted adult vest usually takes about 500–900 yards, depending on size and length. Chunky vests use fewer yards but more weight in grams. Check your pattern’s yardage for your size and buy one extra skein, since dye lots can change.
Should a sweater vest be knit flat or in the round?
Both work. In the round means fewer seams and less purling, which many knitters prefer. Knit flat and seamed gives the vest more structure and makes it easier to fix fit at the sides. Several patterns here, like Mossy Forest and Living Your Best Vest, are flat; others, like Lipsky, are worked in the round.
How do I get neat armhole edges on a vest?
Pick up about three stitches for every four rows along the straight edges, and one stitch for each bound-off stitch at the bottom of the armhole. Use a smaller needle for the ribbing and bind off loosely in pattern. Blocking afterward helps the bands lie flat.
Choose your favorite, wind your yarn, and you will have a new layer to wear before the weather turns.