The Cordelia Tie Vest is an easy knit pattern with simple, straightforward construction. It features contrasting Icord tie closures and an applied Icord edge that adds a polished finish. With video tutorials included, it's the perfect lightweight layer for summer evenings.
Looking for an easy knit vest pattern?
The Cordelia Tie Vest is an easy knit pattern that adds a touch of modern style to your handmade wardrobe. With its minimalist design and contemporary silhouette, this free knit pattern is perfect for knitters looking to create a light, layerable piece. Whether you’re updating your seasonal wardrobe or searching for your next go-to project, this modern knit vest is a satisfying and stylish make.
It is worked from the top-down, with no seaming, so it’s perfect to try on as you go, which is ideal for beginners.
One of the standout features of the Cordelia Tie Vest is its unique side construction with i-cord tie closures, giving it a truly customizable fit.
DESCRIPTION
The Cordelia Tie Vest is made from the top down, and has simple underarm shaping. The Left Front and Right Front are made and then joined at the neckline by casting on additional stitches, and continued down the front.
A 1×1 ribbing is used on both the back bottom hem, front bottom hem, and the neckband in a contrasting color.
No seams are needed because the sides are completely open, but finished with an applied Icord edging also in a contrasting color for a polished look.
Icord tie closures are added on the sides of the front/back, which makes it a great layering piece for summer. Perfect for wearing over dresses, tanks, or tees!
Simple stitches are used for the pattern, so it is a relaxing, enjoyable make.
YARN
This is my first time using Made With Love The Cottony One yarn, and I really enjoyed it! Tom Daley, the Olympian, helped develop this yarn, and the color names are a nod to that – “silver medal” and “gold medal” are the two obvious ones, but there are other names that allude to Britain, which is the country he competed for.
I feel like I am always looking for a good cotton yarn, and Made with Love yarn fits the bill.
I used 295 yards of color A and 155 yards of color B in my size medium I made, which comes out to be about 3 skeins. I used the color “Sage” and “Silver Medal” for my sample, but I would love to see it in “Primrose Hill”/”Lychee White”, “Olive Twist”/”Marvelous Mushroom”, or “Indigo For It”/”Over the Moon”.
And if you want to keep in the loop of sales that Lion Brand Yarn is running, sign up for my newsletter because I’ll keep you in the loop for when the sale is good.
After I made the sample and was getting ready to photograph the finished sample, it was reminding me of another design I had done.
Do you remember the Quick Gloves and Scarf free knit pattern?
Without meaning to, I basically chose the exact same colors as I did for the Cordelia Tie Vest pattern – muted blue for the main color, and a light gray for the hem detailing!
I guess I just really like what I like.
DIFFICULTY
The Cordelia Tie Vest is considered an Easy Level knit pattern, but it is good for all skill levels.
There is no seaming for this vest, which is really nice.
It is made top-down, so you can try the vest on as you go, which is always a bonus to get the right fit.
I have 3 supplemental videos, to help you make this summer vest. Scroll down for the links to the Applied Icord video, the Icord video + the M1R.
So go ahead and cozy up with a blanket while watching the tutorial.
Need ideas of what blanket to cozy up with? Here are some blanket ideas to make! And most of them are free patterns on my blog.
And if you’re looking for some other fresh, modern summer knit to make this season, check out these other two I just published as free patterns on my blog!
All of these are rated Level Easy, so you can throw it in your pool back and relax by the pool while stitching. And they all come with video aids to help you make it as well.
So what are you waiting for? You can get all these free knit summer patterns by clicking HERE.
So let’s begin!
MATERIALS
- Made With Love The Cottony One, weight 4, 60% cotton, 40% acrylic, 3.5oz/185 yds/100 g
- 235 (275, 295, 345, 375, 430, 485, 525, 570) yds/ 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) balls – “Sage” (3040-173A) (A)
- 145 (150, 155, 165, 175, 190, 195, 200, 205) yds/ 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls – “Silver Medal” (3040-150BL) (B)
GAUGE
Using 5.0 mm knitting needles:
16 sts in stockinette stitch = 4″
24 row in in stockinette stitch = 4″
SIZE
TERMINOLOGY
- A – color A
- B – color B
- beg – beginning
- BO – bind off
- CO – cast on
- DPN(s) – double pointed needle(s)
- k – knit
- k2tog – knit 2 together
- M1L- make 1 left
- M1R – make one right
- p – purl
- RS – right side
- rep – repeat
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- tbl – through back loop
- WS – wrong side
NOTES
- Pattern is written for 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Highlight your size throughout the pattern to avoid confusion.
- Model is 5’7” and is wearing size Medium with a 38” bust and 2.25” positive ease.
- Vest is worked top down, starting with the back and then working the front. 1×1 ribbing is worked along the back hem, front hem, and neck in a contrasting color.
- An applied Icord is worked along both sides and 4 Icords are made for the side tie closures.
- Make sure you block your swatch for accurate gauge measurements.
- Left Front and Right Front refers to when the vest is worn.
SPECIAL STITCHES
M1R (watch video HERE or video below) –
- pick up the strand between the 2 sts with the left needle from the back to the front
- Insert the tip of the right needle knitwise into the front leg of the strand and knit as usual
M1R (from WS)–
- Pick up the strand between the 2 sts with the left needle from the back to the front
- Purl
M1L (from RS)–
- Pick up the strand between the 2 sts with the left needle from the front to the back
- Knit through the back loop
M1L (from WS)–
- Pick up the strand between the 2 sts with the left needle from the front to the back
- Purl through the back loop
Applied Icord (watch video HERE or click on picture above) –
- With WS facing you and 4 CO sts on right needle, pick up a st from the side of the bottom hem onto the right needle, slide sts down DPN, k3, k2tog tbl
- Pick up 1 st along edge, slide sts down DPN, k3, k2tog tbl
- Rep Step 2 for side picking up 3 sts for every 4. Rep on next side.
Icord (watch video HERE or video below) –
- CO 4 sts
- slide sts from one end of the DPN to the other (working yarn will be coming from the 4th st), k (4sts)
- rep Row 1 until desired length and BO
And check out my shops if you want to get the concise, ad-free, printable pattern. I have three different shops you can purchase it from:
you can get the Lion Brand Yarn kit HERE which includes all of the yarn to make the blanket as well as the digital download of the pattern.
PATTERN
BACK
Using size 8/5.0 mm needles and color A, CO 27 (27, 27, 27, 29, 29, 31, 31, 31) sts
Row 1 (RS): k across [27 (27, 27, 27, 29, 29, 31, 31, 31) sts]
Row 2 (WS): p4, M1R, p to last 4 sts, M1L, p4 [29 (29, 29, 29, 31, 31, 33, 33, 33) sts]
Row 3: k4, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, k4 [31 (31, 31, 31, 33, 33, 35, 35, 35) sts]
Rep Rows 2 & 3 a total of 6 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10) times. There should be 51 (51, 55, 59, 61, 65, 67, 71, 71) sts. Place a marker at the beg and end of last row made (helps with shoulder pick up).
Work stockinette st until work measures 7.5 (7.5, 7.5, 7.25, 5.25, 5.25, 5, 4.5, 4.5) inches total ending with a WS row.
UNDERARM SHAPING
Row 1 (RS): k4, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, k4
Row 2 (WS): p
Row 3: k
Row 4: p
Work Rows 1-4 a total of 4 (4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2) times. There should be 59 (59, 63, 67, 67, 71, 71, 75, 75) sts.
Row 1 (RS): k4, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, k4
Row 2 (WS): p
Work Rows 1-2 a total of 2 (6, 8, 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, 6) times. There should be 63 (71, 79, 87, 87, 87, 87, 87, 87) sts.
For sizes XS, S, M, and L:
Place marker at the beg and end of last row made (where tie closures will be added).
For sizes XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X:
Row 1 (RS): k4, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, k4
Row 2 (WS): p4, M1R, p to last 4 sts, M1L, p4
Work Rows 1-2 a total of – (-, -, -, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) times. There should be – (-, -, -, 95, 103, 111, 119, 127) sts.
Place marker at the beg and end of last row made (where tie closures will be added).
All Sizes:
Row 1 (RS): k
Row 2 (WS): p
Work Rows 1-2 until work measures 8.25 (7, 6.75, 6.75, 9, 10, 11.25, 12.25, 11.75) inches from marked tie closures ending with a WS row.
BOTTOM HEM
Using size 7/4.5 mm needles and color B,
Row 1 (RS): k
Row 2: *k1, p1, rep from *, k1
Row 3: *p1, k1, rep from *, p1
Rows 4-10: rep Rows 2-3 ending with Row 2
BO.
LEFT FRONT
Using size 8/5.0 mm needles and color A,
With RS facing, and starting at the top of the left shoulder and working towards the armhole, pick up and knit 13 (13, 15, 17, 17, 19, 19, 21, 21) sts along the slanting left side of Back (see Picture 1 below).
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2 (RS): k
Rep Rows 1 & 2 a total of 12 times. Rep Row 1 once more.
LEFT FRONT SHAPING
Row 1 (RS): k3, M1L, k across [14 (14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) sts]
Row 2 (WS): p
Rep Rows 1 & 2 a total of 6 times. [19 (19, 21, 23, 23, 25, 25, 27, 27) sts]
Break yarn and put sts on hold.
RIGHT FRONT
Using size 8/5.0 mm needles and color A,
With RS facing, and starting at marked st on right and working up towards the neck, pick up and knit 13 (13, 15, 17, 17, 19, 19, 21, 21) sts along the slanting right side of Back (see Picture 2 below).
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2 (RS): k
Rep Rows 1 & 2 a total of 12 times. Rep Row 1 once more.
RIGHT FRONT SHAPING
Row 1 (RS): k to last 3 sts, M1R, k3 [14 (14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) sts]
Row 2 (WS): p
Rep Rows 1 & 2 a total of 6 times. [19 (19, 21, 23, 23, 25, 25, 27, 27) sts]
Do not break the yarn. We will join the Left Front and Right Front by casting on new sts.
FRONT
Using size 8/5.0 mm needles and color A,
Row 1 (RS): k across right shoulder to end of row, using the Backwards Loop cast-on method, CO 13 (13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 17, 17) sts, with RS facing you, place Left Front sts that were on hold back on your needle, k across Left Front [51 (51, 55, 59, 61, 65, 67, 71, 71) sts]
Row 2: p
Row 3: k
Work stockinette st until work measures 9 (8, 7.5, 7.25, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5) inches total ending with a WS row measuring from top of shoulder.
UNDERARM SHAPING
Row 1 (RS): k4, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, k4
Row 2 (WS): p
Row 3: k
Row 4: p
Work Rows 1-4 a total of 4 (4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2) times. There should be 59 (59, 63, 67, 67, 71, 71, 75, 75) sts.
Row 1 (RS): k4, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, k4
Row 2 (WS): p
Work Rows 1-2 a total of 2 (6, 8, 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, 6) times. There should be 63 (71, 79, 87, 87, 87, 87, 87, 87) sts.
For sizes XS, S, M, and L:
Place marker at the beg and end of last row made (where tie closures will be added).
For sizes XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X:
Row 1 (RS): k4, M1L, k to last 4 sts, M1R, k4
Row 2 (WS): p4, M1R, p to last 4 sts, M1L, p4
Work Rows 1-2 a total of – (-, -, -, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) times. There should be – (-, -, -, 95, 103, 111, 119, 127) sts.
Place marker at the beg and end of last row made (where tie closures will be added).
All Sizes:
Row 1 (RS): k
Row 2 (WS): p
Work Rows 1-2 until work measures 8.25 (7, 6.75, 6.75, 9, 10, 11.25, 12.25, 11.75) inches from marked tie closures ending with a WS row.
BOTTOM HEM
Using size 7/4.5 mm needles and color B,
Row 1 (RS): k
Row 2: *k1, p1, rep from *, k1
Row 3: *p1, k1, rep from *, p1
Rows 4-10: rep Rows 2-3 ending with Row 2
BO.
SIDE EDGING – APPLIED ICORDS
Using size 7/4.5 mm DPNs and color B, CO 4 sts
Step 1 (WS): with 4 CO sts on right needle and WS facing you, pick up a st from the side of bottom hem onto the right needle, slide sts down DPN, k3, k2tog tbl
Step 2: pick up 1 st along edge, slide sts down DPN, k3, k2tog tbl
Rep Step 2 for entire side picking up 3 sts for every 4 rows on the side. BO. Rep on next side.
NECK
Using size 7/4.5 mm needles and color B,
Starting at back of neck, pick up 90 (90, 90, 90, 94, 94, 98, 98, 98) sts or 1 st in every st along the back of neck, front of neck, and 2 sts for every 3 sts along slanting sides and straight side edges. Join in the rnd.
Rnd 1: *k1, p1, rep from * around
Rnds 2-10: rep rnd 1
BO.
ICORD CLOSURES
With WS facing you, using size 7/4.5 mm DPNs and color B, pick up 4 sts at marked st on side (double check placement to make sure this is where you want ties to be),
Row 1: slide sts from one end of the DPN to the other (working yarn will be coming from the 4th st), k (4sts)
Rep Row 1 until work measures 12 inches.
BO.
Rep on other 3 marked sts along sides for remaining tie closures.
FINISHING
Block. Weave in ends.
And that’s how you make the Cordelia Tie Vest!
Make sure that when you post to social media or another platform, please refer back to me as the designer. If you are on Instagram, tag @CozyNooksDesigns for a change to be featured!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Cozy Nooks Designs
Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!
Hi Rachel,
So looking forward to knitting this gorgeous vest and thank you for sharing but as a new knitter I,m lost in the beginning. After back CO, the pattern starts on RS but I thought after CO we have to turn and that would start on WS.
Good question! The RS/WS doesn’t always have to be the first row. It can be different for each pattern. Since this pattern uses stockinette, the RS is row 1.