The Cozy Campfire Hooded Vest Free Pattern – A Chunky Knitted Kids' Vest with Cable & Seed Stitch
The Cozy Campfire Hooded Vest: A Chunky Knitted Kids' Vest with Cable & Seed Stitch
Wrap your little one in the warmth of a hand-knitted hooded vest, featuring a rich cable panel and a soft seed stitch border. This cozy, gender-neutral design is perfect for autumn adventures and snuggly campfire evenings. The thick, chunky yarn works up quickly, making this an ideal weekend project for knitters ready to create a cherished handmade staple. With its rustic texture and practical hood, this vest is destined to become a favorite layering piece for chilly days.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:
- Yarn: Super bulky weight yarn (size 6), approximately 300-400 yards. A great choice is Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or any similar super bulky yarn.
- Needles: US 11 (8.0 mm) straight knitting needles for the main pieces, plus a US 11 (8.0 mm) circular needle (16-inch length) for picking up stitches around the hood and armholes.
- Notions: A cable needle, stitch holders or waste yarn, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and 3-4 wooden buttons for the front placket.
- Gauge: 12 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure the correct finished size.
Pattern Information
Sizes: 2T (4T, 6X). Finished chest measurements: 22 (24, 26) inches. Length: 13 (15, 17) inches from shoulder to hem.
Abbreviations
- CO = cast on
- K = knit
- P = purl
- K2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
- P2tog = purl two stitches together (decrease)
- C4F = cable 4 front (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, K2, then K2 from cable needle)
- C4B = cable 4 back (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, K2, then K2 from cable needle)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side of work
- WS = wrong side of work
Pattern Stitches
Seed Stitch (over an even number of sts):
Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1* repeat to end of row.
Row 2: *P1, K1* repeat to end of row.
Repeat rows 1-2 for pattern. This creates a bumpy, textured fabric perfect for borders.
Cable Panel (over 8 sts):
Row 1 (RS): P2, C4F, P2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, P4, K2.
Row 3: P2, K4, P2.
Row 4: K2, P4, K2.
Repeat rows 1-4 for pattern. This creates a beautiful braided cable that adds a classic, handcrafted touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Back Panel
CO 42 (46, 50) sts with your straight needles. Work in seed stitch for 2 inches, approximately 6 rows. This forms the bottom border.
Next row (RS): Work seed stitch over the first 4 sts, K to the last 4 sts, work seed stitch over the last 4 sts. Continue in this manner: stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) with a 4-stitch seed stitch border on each side. Work until the piece measures 8 (10, 12) inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Shape Armholes:
At the beginning of the next two rows, bind off 3 (3, 4) sts. Then decrease 1 st at each side every RS row 2 (2, 3) times as follows: K1, K2tog, work to the last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. You will now have 32 (36, 38) sts remaining. Continue straight in pattern without further decreases until the armhole measures 5 (5, 6) inches. Place all sts on a stitch holder and set aside.
Left Front Panel
CO 22 (24, 26) sts. Work in seed stitch for 2 inches for the bottom border.
Next row (RS): Work seed stitch over the first 4 sts (this will be your front border), K to the last 8 sts, work the cable panel over the next 8 sts (P2, C4F, P2), K to the end of the row. Continue in this established pattern: seed stitch border at the front edge, cable panel near the center, and stockinette for the remainder. Work until the piece measures the same as the back to the armhole, ending with a WS row.
Shape Armhole:
At the beginning of the next RS row, bind off 3 (3, 4) sts. Then decrease 1 st at the armhole edge every RS row 2 (2, 3) times. At the same time, when the piece measures 1 inch less than the back length to the shoulder, begin neck shaping: At the beginning of WS rows, bind off 4 (5, 5) sts once, then 2 sts once, then decrease 1 st at the neck edge every RS row 2 times. After all shaping is complete, you should have 10 (11, 12) sts remaining for the shoulder. Work even until the armhole measures the same as the back. Bind off all sts.
Right Front Panel
CO 22 (24, 26) sts. Work in seed stitch for 2 inches.
Next row (RS): K to the last 12 sts, work the cable panel over the next 8 sts (P2, C4F, P2), work seed stitch over the last 4 sts (this will be your front border). Continue in pattern. Shape the armhole and neck as for the left front, mirroring the decreases: armhole decreases should be worked on WS rows, and neck bind-offs should be worked on RS rows. Bind off the shoulder sts when the armhole measures the same as the back.
Hood
Sew the shoulder seams using a tapestry needle and yarn. With the circular needle, pick up and knit sts around the neckline: start from the right front neck edge, across the back holder, and down the left front neck edge. You should have approximately 40 (44, 48) sts. Work in seed stitch for 1 inch. Then switch to stockinette stitch, increasing 1 st at each end of every 4th row until you have 48 (52, 56) sts. Continue straight until the hood measures 8 (9, 10) inches from the pick-up row. Bind off loosely. Fold the hood in half and sew the top seam to close.
Finishing Touches
With the circular needle, pick up and knit sts around each armhole, approximately 30-36 sts. Work in seed stitch for 3 rows. Bind off in pattern. Weave in all loose ends with your tapestry needle. Block gently to the specified measurements. Finally, sew 3-4 wooden buttons along the left front border and create corresponding buttonholes on the right front border, or use clip-on buttons for a no-buttonhole option.
Your Cozy Campfire Hooded Vest is now complete! This charming, handcrafted piece is sure to be treasured for seasons to come, providing warmth and style for your little adventurer.
