Embrace effortless style with the Oversized Boxy Vest that has a relaxed-fit and functional pockets. Designed with beginners in mind, it’s made using larger-than-normal needles for a quick and satisfying knit.
The vest has 3 easy-to-knit panels that are seamed together, and the pattern has video aids included, so you'll have all the guidance you need to bring this comfy piece to life.
Is the weather cooling off where you live that it’s time to bring out the crochet and knit garments?
It feels like fall here, so I’ve been bringing out all of my cozy knit and crochet patterns to wear!
I live for this time of year.
A knit garment that I’ve been wearing on repeat since it came off my needles is the Oversized Boxy Vest!
Made using Lion Brand Yarn Woolease Thick & Quick yarn and large needles, it worked up very fast, and was really satisfying seeing it take shape.
It has front pockets, ribbing along the bottom, neckband, and top of the pockets, and made using garter stitch.
The buttons do not have button holes to close because the stitching is large enough that it allows for the button to be put wherever it is comfortable.
DESCRIPTION
The Oversized Boxy Vest is a beginner knit pattern that includes directions to make 9 sizes (xs, s, m, l, xl, 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x).
I’ve been seeing large, oversized vests all over stores recently, so I’ve been itching to design this knit pattern for a while.
It is the perfect knit garment to wear during fall and transition to winter by layering long sleeves under it.
The piece is worked in three panels: the back, front left, and. front right.
The pieces are seamed together (I have 2 videos to help you with this!), and then stitches are picked up to work the 1×1 ribbing armholes and 1×1 ribbing neckband.
The two pockets are made by picking up stitches along the top of the bottom ribbing.
I used circular needles throughout, but you can use straight needles if you are more comfortable with that.
YARN
The Oversized Boxy Vest is made using Woolease Thick & Quick yarn by Lion Brand Yarn.
I used the color “fisherman” because it is the perfect off-white yarn color that makes it very versatile to wear.
Woolease Thick & Quick yarn for me always falls in the top 3 favorites.
Projects work up so quickly because it is a weight 6 yarn, that it makes me feel like I may actually be able to finish my WIP pile. The never ending patterns that I want to make. Can you relate?
Woolease Thick & Quick is 80% acrylic and 20% wool yarn with 106 yards/170 grams.
I used 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls of yarn or 220 (245, 275, 305, 330, 360, 395, 425, 455) yards for the 9 sizes, so it is a very affordable knit garment as well.
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.
DIFFICULTY
The Oversized Boxy Vest is considered a Beginner knit pattern.
Knit stitches and purl stitches are used (garter stitch) for the majority of the pattern, with a 1×1 ribbing (knit 1, purl 1, repeat) is used for the bottom edging, the neckband, the armholes, and the top of the pockets.
Minimal shaping is used, and a full video tutorial is included to help you make this beginner knit pattern.
I also have 2 additional video aids that details how to seam shoulders in knitting using the mattress stitch + how to seam garter stitch vertically (what I used for seaming the sides of the garment).
To view the How to Seam Shoulders video, click the picture above.
And to view the How to Seam Garter Stitch vertically for the sides, click on the picture below.
I also have a full video tutorial that shows how to make the vest!
And spoiler: my cat appears in the video, so go check out what I put him in.
It’s at the time stamp: 13:37
It was so much fun to make the Oversized Boxy Vest and I know you’ll enjoy making it, too.
So let’s begin!
MATERIALS
- 220 (245, 275, 305, 330, 360, 395, 425, 455) yards of Woolease Thick & Quick “Fisherman” weight 6 yarn (80% acrylic 20% wool, 106 yds/170 g)
- US 19/15.0mm circular knitting needles
- 3 – 1 1/8” Buttons
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
GAUGE
12 rows in garter st = 4″
TERMINOLOGY
- BO – bind off
- CO – cast on
- k – knit
- p – purl
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
- rnd – round
- sl – slip
- ssk – slip, slip, knit
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- 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 for less confusion.
- Model is wearing size medium.
- The vest is worked in 3 separate pieces and seamed together: Back, Front Left, and Front Right.
- Vest is worked from the bottom up with simple shaping around the armholes and neck.
- Stitches for the Neckband are picked up and worked flat.
- There are no button holes as the buttons fit between sts.
- Stitches are picked up for the pockets with a 1×1 rib top. Pockets are seamed on each side.
- Watch full video tutorial here – https://youtu.be/MvzI4-enZyA
PATTERN
BACK
Using the long tail method, CO 32 (34, 38, 42, 46, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts
Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1, rep from * across
Row 2: *k1, p1, rep from * across
Row 3: rep Row 1
Rows 4-20: k across
For sizes L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Row 21: BO – (-, -, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4), k across (- (-, -, 41, 44, 46, 49, 53, 56) sts)
Row 22: BO – (-, -, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4), k across (- (-, -, 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52) sts)
For sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Row – (21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23): k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (- (32, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 50) sts)
Row – (22, 22, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24): k across
For sizes M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Rows – (-, 23, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25) – – (-, 26, 28, 30, 30, 32, 34, 36): rep the last 2 rows – (-, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6) more times (- (-, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38) sts)
All sizes
Rows 21 (23, 27, 29, 31, 31, 33, 35, 37) – 50 (51, 53, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58): k across
BO.
LEFT FRONT
Using the long tail method, CO 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 24, 26, 28, 30 sts)
Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1, rep from * across
Row 2 (WS): *k1, p1, rep from * across
Row 3: rep Row 1
Rows 4-20: k across
For sizes L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Row 21: BO – (-, -, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4), k across (- (-, -, 21, 22, 22, 23, 25, 26) sts)
Row 22: k across
For sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Row – (21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23): k1, ssk, k across (- (17, 19, 20, 21, 21, 22, 24, 25) sts)
Row – (22, 22, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24): k across
For sizes M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Rows – (-, 23, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25) – – (-, 26, 28, 30, 30, 32, 34, 36): rep the last 2 rows – (-, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6) more times (- (-, 17, 18, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19) sts)
All sizes
Rows 21 (23, 27, 29, 31, 31, 33, 35, 37)-40 (40, 42, 40, 42, 44, 44, 44, 46): k across
Row 41 (41, 43, 41, 43, 45, 45, 45, 47): k across to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (15 (16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 18, 18) sts)
Row 42 (42, 44, 42, 44, 46, 46, 46, 48): k1, ssk, k across (14 (15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17) sts)
Rows 43 (43, 45, 43, 45, 47, 47, 47, 49)-45 (46, 48, 47, 49, 50, 50, 51, 53): rep the last 2 rows for a total of 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7) decrease rows (11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12) sts)
Rows 46 (47, 49, 48, 50, 51, 51, 52, 54)-50 (51, 53, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58): k across
BO.
RIGHT FRONT
Using the long tail method, CO 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 24, 26, 28, 30 sts)
Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1, rep from * across
Row 2 (WS): *k1, p1, rep from * across
Row 3: rep Row 1
Rows 4-20: k across
For sizes L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Row 21: k across
Row 22: BO – (-, -, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4), k across (- (-, -, 21, 22, 22, 23, 25, 26) sts)
For sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Row – (21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23): k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (- (17, 19, 20, 21, 21, 22, 24, 25) sts)
Row – (22, 22, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24): k across
For sizes M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X
Rows – (-, 23, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25, 25) – – (-, 26, 28, 30, 30, 32, 34, 36): rep the last 2 rows – (-, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6) more times (- (-, 17, 18, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19) sts)
All sizes
Rows 21 (23 27, 29, 31, 31, 33, 35, 37)-40 (40, 42, 40, 42, 44, 44, 44, 46): k across
Row 41 (41, 43, 41, 43, 45, 45, 45, 47): k1, ssk, k across (15 (16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 18, 18) sts)
Row 42 (42, 44, 42, 44, 46, 46, 46, 48): k across to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (14 (15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17) sts)
Rows 43 (43, 45, 43, 45, 47, 47, 47, 49)-45 (46, 48, 47, 49, 50, 50, 51, 53): rep the last 2 rows for a total of 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7) decrease rows (11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12) sts)
Rows 46 (47, 49, 48, 50, 51, 51, 52, 54)-50 (51, 53, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58): k across
BO.
SHOULDER SEAMING
Using Mattress Stitch, seam the top of the Left Panel BO edge to the Back Panel BO edge starting with the outer-most sts and working towards the middle. There will be a gap for your neck.
Watch the above video for tips to seam the shoulder.
Rep fro the Right Panel.
SIDE SEAMING
Using Mattress Stitch and seaming the sides, seam the sides from the CO edge to the underarm shaping.
Watch the video above for tips to seam the sides.
Rep for the Right Panel.
ARMHOLES
With RS facing, beginning at center underarm of first armhole and working clockwise, pick up 0 (0, 0, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4) stitches in the underarm bind-off stitches, pick up 30 (32, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38) sts around armhole opening by picking up about 1 stitch for every 2 garter stitch rows, pick up 0 (0, 0, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4) stitches in the remaining underarm bind-off stitches. (30 (32, 32, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) sts)
Rnd 1: *k1, p1, rep from * across
BO in rib pattern.
Rep for second armhole.
NECKBAND
With RS facing, beginning at lower right front edge and working clockwise, pick up 66 (68, 70, 72, 72, 74, 74, 78, 78) sts along neck edge, ending at lower left front edge. Pick up about 1 stitch for every 2 garter stitch rows and 1 st for every bind-off st along the back neck.
Row 1: *k1, p1, rep from * across
BO in rib pattern.
BUTTONS
Sew buttons onto edge of Left Panel. To button, insert button into space between sts on Right Panel.
POCKETS
With RS facing and beginning right above the bottom ribbing and 4 sts from the button band, pick up and knit 12 (12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14) sts along top of rib working from right to left.
Row 1 (WS): k across
Rows 2-9: k across
Row 10: *k1, p1, rep from * across
BO in rib pattern.
Sew side edges of pocket in place.
Rep on other side for second pocket.
And that’s how you make the Oversized Boxy 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 and use #OversizedBoxyVest for a chance 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!
Such an easy to follow pattern and love how quickly it comes together. My yarn wasn’t as thick so I used 12mm needles and followed the pattern for the medium size. The finished result is a perfect fit for me – I’m tempted to knit another one in a different colour. Thank you so much!
Hi, it’s a really beautiful vest, and I – who never knitted before – is really eager to try making it, but I have a little trouble understanding the pattern.
When I gerne to rows 21 and 22 and I begin closing for the armhole, it says
” BO – (-, -, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4), k across (- (-, -, 21, 22, 22, 23, 25, 26) sts) ”
What does it Mean? – (-, -, 1, 2…..) and (-,-,21, 22, 22, …)
Hope you can explain for some one who is really lost here 🙃
Besides that it is really fine creations you are making.
Thanks, Pia! Good question. The size you are making corresponds to the spot/order of numbers. So if you are making a Large, you would BO 1 and k across 21 sts. The order sizes are listed is xs (s, m, l, xl, 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x). Does that make sense? So if your size has a “-” in its spot, that means you skip that part because it does not apply to your size. <3