Kelpie Vest is inspired by the Celtic legend of the Kelpie, also known as the ‘water horse’. This mythical water spirit, a shape shifter, is said to lure people to bodies of water such as Loch Ness in human or horse form.

The Kelpie vest is a versatile pattern which can be knitted in solid, semi-solid or variegated yarn, with options for contrast coloured neckband, hem and arm cuffs. Written in fourteen sizes from 3 months to 12 years, the Kelpie Vest is suitable for boys and girls.

Completely seamless, the pattern is available in three yarn weights, DK/8ply, Worsted/10ply and Bulky/12ply yarns, with an optional cable or ribbing panel featured down the each side.

Gauge:
DK: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette.
Worsted: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette.
Bulky: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette.

Please take the time to knit a swatch before beginning this project. It is also important to wash and block your swatch to ensure the best fit possible.

To ensure the best fit, please knit the size of your child’s chest measurement, rather than their age, and add or subtract length for their age. For example my 5yr daughter fits a 2yr size with a 21inch chest but it is knitted to the 5yr old length. There is approximately 2 inches (5cm) of positive ease included in this pattern for a relaxed fit which makes it great for layering.

The following includes the chest size and approximate estimated yarn quantity in Yards/Metres.

3mth - 40cm / 16inch
6mth - 42.5cm / 17inch
9mth - 45cm / 18inch
12mth - 47.5cm / 19inch
18mth - 50cm / 20inch
2yrs - 52.5cm / 21inch
3yrs - 55cm / 22inch
4yrs - 57.5cm / 23inch
5yrs - 60cm / 24inch
6yrs - 62.5cm / 25inch
7yrs - 65cm / 26inch
8yrs - 67.5cm / 27inch
10yr- 80cm / 28inch
12yr- 82.5 / 30inch

DK approximate yardage:
Main Colour
3mth – 3yrs: 200yds/180m (220yds/200m, 240yds/220m, 255yds/235m,270yds/245m,290yds/265m,300yds/275m)
4yr – 12yr: 330yds/300m (350yds/320m, 420yds/385m,470yds/430m,530yds/485m, 590yds/540m,650yds/595m)

Contrast Colour
3mth – 3yrs: 130yds/120m (150yds/160m, 160yds/145m, 175yds/160m,190yds/175m,200yds/180m,220yds/200m)
4yr – 12yr: 240yds/220m (255yds/235m, 270yds/245m,290yds/265m,300yds/275m, 330yds/300m,350yds/320m)

Worsted approximate yardage:
Main Colour
3mth – 3yrs: 160yds/148m (175yds/160m, 200yds/180m, 220yds/200m,240yds/220m,255yds/235m,270yds/245m)
4yr – 12yr: 290yds/265m (300yds/275m, 330yds/300m,350yds/320m,420yds/385m, 470yds/430m,530yds/485m)

Contrast Colour
3mth – 3yrs: 90yds/80m (110yds/100m, 130yds/120m,150yds/140m,160yds/145m, 175yds/160m,190yds/175m)
4yr – 12yr: 200yds/180m (220yds/200m, 240yds/220m,255yds/235m,270yds/245m, 290yds/265m,300yds/275m)

Bulky approximate yardage:
Main Colour
3mth – 3yrs: 130yds/120m (145yds/130m, 160yds/145m, 175yds/160m,200yds/180m,220yds/200m,240yds/220m)
4yr – 12yr: 255yds/235m (270yds/245m, 290yds/265m,300yds/275m,330yds/300m, 350yds/320m,420yds/385m)

Contrast Colour
3mth – 3yrs: 60yds/55m (75yds/70m, 90yds/80m, 110yds/100m,130yds/120m,150yds/140m,160yds/145m)
4yr – 12yr: 175yds/160m (190yds/175m, 200yds/180m,220yds/200m,240yds/220m, 255yds/235m,270yds/245m)

Thank you very much to my amazing group of testers and Tech editor!!