Forest Green Entrelac Crop Vest: Free Knit Pattern
Forest Green Entrelac Crop Vest: Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This cropped entrelac vest is for knitters who have mastered knit and purl and are ready to try something with a little more texture and rhythm. Worked as one flat rectangle with two armhole gaps, it builds a woven, basketweave diamond fabric from simple short-row blocks, so the "complicated" look comes from the technique rather than tricky stitches. The deep forest green body is finished with a narrow rust border along the front opening, neckline, and armholes for a clean, Y2K-inspired contrast. It looks structured and boxy on the body but feels soft and light against the skin thanks to the alpaca blend.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight alpaca blend (50% alpaca, 50% wool; 100 g / 200 yd per skein). MC (forest green): 400 yards. CC (rust): 50 yards.
- Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle, 24-inch length (worked flat).
- Notions: Stitch markers, a spare needle or stitch holder, a tapestry needle, and a tape measure.
- Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
- Finished size: Chest circumference 40 inches; length 16 inches; armhole depth 7 inches; neck width 6 inches.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- BO: bind off
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k: knit
- p: purl
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
- p2tog: purl 2 stitches together (a decrease on the purl side)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (a left-leaning decrease)
- RS: right side (the outside of the vest)
- WS: wrong side (the inside of the vest)
- MC: main color (forest green)
- CC: contrast color (rust)
Gauge
16 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on 5.0 mm (US 8) needles. Knit a 4-inch swatch, block it, and measure a center section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Entrelac is worked in short rows with turning stitches. Always turn your work at the point named in the instruction and leave the remaining stitches waiting on the needle; do not work across the whole row.
- Count your 8-stitch blocks as you go. Each rectangle and triangle is 8 stitches wide, so your total should always be a multiple of 8 (80 stitches across).
- Keep your picked-up stitches even along the sloped edges; picking up one stitch per edge row keeps the blocks square and the fabric flat.
- Work the border and armhole edging with a slightly looser tension so the trim lies flat and does not pull the openings in.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Entrelac Base Triangles (MC)
CO 80 sts.
Triangle 1: Row 1 (WS): p1, turn. Row 2 (RS): k1, turn. Row 3: p2, turn. Row 4: k2, turn. Continue increasing 1 st each row until you have 8 sts, then p2tog, turn; k2tog, turn; repeat until all 8 sts are worked, ending with p2tog (8 sts).
Triangles 2-10: Repeat Triangle 1 nine more times (10 triangles total, 80 sts).
Entrelac Rectangles (MC)
Work 5 rows of rectangles, each 8 sts wide and 8 rows tall, alternating left- and right-leaning rectangles.
Left-leaning rectangle: Pick up 8 sts along the edge, turn; p8, turn; k7, ssk, turn; p8, turn; repeat until all sts are worked (8 sts).
Right-leaning rectangle: Pick up 8 sts along the edge, turn; p8, turn; k7, k2tog, turn; p8, turn; repeat until all sts are worked (8 sts).
Rectangle Rows 1-5: Alternate left- and right-leaning rectangles across the row, repeating each block 10 times per row (80 sts). Continue until the piece measures 9 inches from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
Armhole Openings
Next row (RS): Work 3 rectangles (24 sts), BO 16 sts, work 3 rectangles (24 sts), BO 16 sts, work 3 rectangles (24 sts).
Next row (WS): Work 3 rectangles, CO 16 sts, work 3 rectangles, CO 16 sts, work 3 rectangles (80 sts).
Rectangle Rows 6-8: Continue entrelac rectangles as established for 3 more rows (8 rows of rectangles total, 80 sts).
Top Triangles (MC)
Triangle 1: k2tog, k6, turn; p7, turn; k2tog, k5, turn; p6, turn; continue decreasing this way until 1 st remains, then k1.
Triangles 2-10: Repeat Triangle 1 nine more times (10 triangles total). BO all sts.
Border (CC)
With RS facing, pick up and knit along the right front edge, across the back neck, and down the left front edge: approximately 80 sts.
Row 1 (WS): purl.
Row 2 (RS): knit.
Row 3: purl.
BO all sts.
Armhole Edging (CC)
Pick up 40 sts around each armhole.
Row 1 (WS): purl.
Row 2 (RS): knit.
Row 3: purl.
BO all sts. Repeat for the second armhole.
Assembly and Finishing
This vest is knit as one flat piece, so there are no side or shoulder seams to sew. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working them into the block edges so they do not show through the open entrelac texture. Block the vest to the finished measurements: chest circumference 40 inches, length 16 inches, armhole depth 7 inches, and neck width 6 inches. Pin the armhole and front edges flat while damp, then let it dry completely before wearing so the rust trim and the entrelac blocks settle evenly.
Pro Tips and Variations
- For a longer, less cropped silhouette, add 1-2 more rows of entrelac rectangles before the armhole openings (each row adds about 2 inches of length).
- Swap the rust border for a charcoal or cream CC to make the forest green read more classic, or use a self-striping CC for a playful Y2K accent.
- Work the border and armhole edging in a slightly smaller needle if your trim tends to flare, or add one extra purl row for a wider, more visible contrast band.
