About the pattern
Farafelle Fields is a colourful child’s vest knitting pattern which makes a sleeveless cardigan (also known as a waistcoat, or vest). Perfect as a cosy Christmas gift for a little person in your life. Available in 8 sizes, this pattern fits all child and youth sizes. This vibrant design uses cables and colourwork to create a playful, eye-catching kid’s vest. The cable twists resemble farafelle pasta, and the Italian word farafelle itself means “butterflies,” evoking the joy of a child dancing through a field, chasing flutter-bys

Sizes
The Farafelle Fields kids’ vest knitting pattern (sleeveless cardigan/waistcoat) comes in 8 sizes, covering all child and youth measurements from 53 to 82 cm (21–32 inches). Always check the actual measurements rather than age alone. No child is ‘average’! For example, my son loved wearing vests at 4 or 6 but would’ve refused at 14 or 16. I’ve still included the full youth range because many 8–10-year-olds need the larger sizes. Measure first, and you’ll avoid surprises.

Sizes: 2 yrs (4 yrs, 6 yrs, 8yrs) 10 yrs, 12 yrs, 14 yrsrs)

To fit chest circumference: 53 (58.5, 63.5, 67) 71, 76, 80 cm / 21 (23, 25, 26 1/2) 28, 30, 31 1/2/2) inches

See schematic in images, or on the pattern page, for further measurements.

Tension/Gauge
The pattern uses garter stitch, and cables. At a minimum check your tension in garter stitch (knit every row, worked flat). But I strongly recommend checking in the Farafelle stitch pattern given in the pattern.

Garter stitch: 18 stitches by 26 rows = 10cm/4 inch square

Farafelle stitch pattern: 21 stitches (1.5 full repeats, 3 columns) =10cm

Skill level
This pattern is designed for intermediate knitters, as it combines complex shaping with a stitch pattern. However, adventurous beginners are welcome to give it a try! If you’ve already worked with 2 of the 3 techniques below, you’ll find it easier to focus on learning the new skill. Pattern support is available to help you along the way.

1. Continuous cast on: Adding stitches at the end or middle of a row (used for the neckline and underarm).
2. Cables: Only one cable stitch is used—a cable 4 front—making this a great introduction to cables.
3. Picking up stitches: No sewing required! Stitches are picked up for the collar, button bands, and arm borders.

Stitches Used
The pattern uses garter stitch, a simple cable in the yoke, and the specific ‘farafelle’ cable pattern for the main body. The rib sections are worked in 2 by 2 garter rib.

Accessibility
This pattern is available free on The Fairythorn blog, which is formatted as far as possible for accessibility, and uses ‘Ally’ to give you control over font size, background colour, etc.

A PDF download will be added in a couple of weeks, which will have a large print version.

Copyright
This pattern is written by Ciara Doyle of the Fairythorn, all rights reserved. Not for commercial purposes.
Selling of makes is allowed, only when made by you, in your own home.