The Hestur vest was designed especially for my Knit & ride tour in the Icelandic highlands. I wore it constantly, together with my other riding sweater (The 5 gaits of the Icelandic horse), during the very first tour I ran in June 2023 (the next tour will be in 2025). It has as such been fully proofed as a riding vest! Hestur means horse in Icelandic.
The vest is knitted from the bottom up, with a longer hem to cover the lower back. This unisex vest has a slight A-line shape and an optional waist shaping. The yoke sits lower on the front neckline making for a particularly pleasant fit. The two-side zipper, high collar and optional pockets make it a very comfortable and practical piece, perfect for horse-riding imao, but also for any other activity! It comes in a wide range of sizes.

In the pattern, I also included a blank chart on which you can draw your own motif. What sport/animal/activity/hobby would you like to draw on the yoke? I‘d love to see what you come up with!*

Sizes: 1(2,3,4)5,6,7(8,9,10)11,12,13(14)
Corresponding to Women sizes XS(S,S,S,M)M,M,L(L,L,XL,XL)2X,3XL,3XL(4XL)
Corresponding to Men sizes
XXS(XS,S,S)M,M,M(L,L,XL)2XL,2XL,3XL(4XL)

Fit: 5-10 cm/ 2-4” positive ease. Add the desired ease to your own measurements and choose the size the closest to the result. Choose a larger size for a looser fit. Vest shown is a size 2 with the optional waist shaping and front chest pockets.

Finished measurements
Bust: 86(90.5,95.5,100)104.5,107,112(119,126,130.5)
137.5,145,152(159) cm /33¾(35¾,37½,39¼)41¼,42¼,44
(46¾,49½,51½)54¼,57,59¾(62½)”
High hips: 90.5(95.5,100,104.5)109.5,112,116.5
(123.5,130.5,135.5)142.5,149.5.156.5(163.5) cm
/35¾(37½,39¼,41¼)43,44,45.75(48½,51½,53¼)56,59,61½
(64½)”
Waist (for waist shaping option): 74(79,83.5,86)90.5,93,95.5(102.5,109.5,114)121,128,135.5(142.5) cm/ 29¼ (31,32¾,33¾)35¾,36½,37½(40¼,43,45)47¾,50½,53¼(56)”
Body length to underarm at the front: 34(35,35,36)37,37,38(38,39,39)39,39,39(39)cm/13½(13¾,13¾,14¼)14½,14½,15(15,15¼,15¼)15¼,15¼,15¼(15¼)”
Yoke depth at the back: 24(24.5,24.5,25)25,25.5,25.5
(26,26,26)26,26,26(26) cm/ 9½(9½,9½,9¾)9¾,10,10
(10¼,10¼,10¼)10¼,10¼,10¼(10¼)”
Upper arm: 29.5(32,34,36.5)39,40,43.5(44.5,46,46)
48,50.2,53(55)cm/11½(12½,13½,14¼)15¼,15¾,17¼(17½,18,18)19,20,20¾(21¾)”
Collar circumference: 37.5(40,40,40)42.5,42.5,42.5
(44.5,44.5,44.5)47,47,47(47)cm/14¾(15¾,15¾,15¾)
16¾,16¾,16¾(17½,17½,17½)18½,18½,18½(18½)”

Gauge: 10 cm/4” = 17 sts and 20 rnds in Stocking stitch on 4.5 mm/ US 7 needle

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 and 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needles. Magic loop is used for smaller diameters but you can also use double pointed needles.
Crochet hooks: 3.25 and 4 mm/ US D3 and G6

Yarn
Wool recommended: woolly Aran weight
Wool used: Léttlopi from Ístex, 100% new wool, unspun with light twist, Aran weight, 50 g ball = 100 m / 109 yds
MC: shade #0058 (grey) 5(5,5,5)6,6,6(7,7,7)8,8,8(9)skeins
CC1: shade #9427 (brown) 1 skein
CC2: shade # 0005 (black), 1 skein
CC3: shade #0051 (white) only a few meters/yards needed
You can also use plötulopi double or Einrúm L (lopi+silk).
Wool available on icelandicknitter.com