Easy Vest Knitting Patterns

This time of year I tend to get a little obsessed with the idea of knitting vests. While I’m still deep into wearing sweaters, I’m starting to think about layers for warmer weather (or wearing a vest under my sweater for a little extra warmth on the super cold days, not going to lie).

Vests are a great gateway to knitting sweaters because they use some of the same skills but you don’t have to knit sleeves. Which, let’s be honest, are pretty boring. If you’ve never knit a sweater before, try one of these easy vest knitting patterns to get you started.

The Abrazo Slipover from Caidree on Etsy is a great basic super bulky vest that you can probably stitch up in a weekend. It comes in nine sizes and has 5-10 cm of positive ease built in.

Kara Eng’s Funfetti Vest is another super bulky option that has rounds of purl ridges that can be worked in a contrasting color or you can do it all in the same color if you don’t have scraps to use. It’s available in nine sizes. You can get the pattern on Ravelry.

Vest No. 3, Spring Edition from My Favourite Things Knitwear uses a combination of lace and DK weight yarns to make a super bulky gauge. It’s worked from the top down with a little shaping for the neckline and arm openings. It’s available in five sizes and the pattern is in English, Danish and Norwegian. You can get it on Ravelry.

If you’re looking for a lighter weight vest, the Vest 01 from Daisy And Peace is worsted weight vest worked flat in pieces from the bottom up. It comes in six sizes and you can download the pattern from Ravelry.

How about an open vest? These are so cute over a button-down shirt and can be belted or worn open. The long Autumn Vest by Merri Fromm is worked mostly in ribbing, and it is available in four sizes. You can download the pattern from Blue Sky Fibers.

Here’s another one that uses ribbing as a design feature and has deep armholes for ease of wearing. The part below the armholes is worked in the round. It uses worsted weight yarn and comes in five sizes. You can get it from Warm House on Etsy in English and Dutch.

Casual Knits Studio on Etsy has a great classic vest pattern worked in chunky yarn with deep armholes so it’s easy to layer it over just about anything. It’s worked from the bottom up in two pieces and then the ribbing is worked after it is sewn together. The pattern comes in three sizes and is available in English, French and German.

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There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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