This pattern is named after my niece, Alma. I designed this colourwork motif and vest for her. It features a Scandinavian style colourwork pattern along the hem. The pattern is based on a motif from our grandmother’s home town of Rovaniemi, Finland, creating a meaningful connection to our roots.

Sizing and fit
SIZES
3-6 months (12-18 months, 2-3 years)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Body circ: 50.5 (53.5, 59.5) cm / 20 (21, 23.5)“.
Length: 26 (30, 35) cm / 10.25 (11.75, 13.75)”.
Armcye depth: 8.5 (9.5, 11) cm / 3.25 (3.75, 4.25)“.
Shoulder width: 18.5 (20.5, 22.5) cm / 7.25 (7.75, 8.75)”.

Yarn
4 ply / fingering weight wool yarn. You can use either superwash or non superwash treated yarns for this pattern.
I have chosen to use superwash for the easier care, but in general non superwash wools are better suited to knitting stranded colourwork.
Sample is knit with Bombed Yarns Dynamite 4ply (100% superwash merino wool, 400 / 437yds – 100g).

Main colour (MC): 180 (220, 280) m / 200 (240, 310) yds.

Contrast colours For Fade version
Darkest shade (CC1): 27 (30, 33) m / 30 (33, 36) yds.
Medium shade (CC2): 18 (20, 22) m / 20 (22, 24) yds.
Lightest shade (CC3): 32 (38, 42) m / 35 (42, 46) yds.

Contrast colour For 2-colour version
Contrast Colour (CC): 80 (90, 100) m / 88 (98, 109) yds.

Needles
2.5mm / US2, 40cm / 16” and 100cm / 40” circular needle. Used for tubular CO and BO.
3mm / US2, 40cm / 16” and 100cm / 40” circular needle and 2 DPNs. Used for ribbing and stockinette st.
3.25mm / US3, 40cm / 16” circular needle. Used for Colourwork motif.

Notions
Stitch markers, tapestry needle.
3 Buttons, about 10mm / 3/8” in diameter.

Gauge
27 sts and 27 rounds = 10cm / 4” with 3.25mm / US3 needle in colourwork pattern, measured from blocked and relaxed fabric.
27 sts and 38 rounds = 10cm / 4” with 3mm / US2 needle in stockinette st, measured from blocked and relaxed fabric.

Design notes
The body of the vest is knit in the round from the bottom up.
Work is divided at underarm and front and back pieces are worked separately from there. From neckline each shoulder is worked separately.
Left shoulder is closed with 3-needle BO. Right shoulder features a button closure.
Armhole and neckline edgings and buttonbands are worked in half twisted rib.

Techniques
2 cast-on options:Italian Tubular CO or Long-tail CO
Stranded coulourwork knitting
Basic decreases
3-needle BO
Buttonholes
2 bind-off options:Italian Tubular BO or Basic BO

Skill level
Intermediate