My Free Kulipa Slipover V-Neck Vest Knitting Pattern will show you how to knit an oversized women’s top with crocheted tulips, following simple instructions and using worsted weight yarn.
Table of Contents
The Kulipa Slipover Vest Knitting Pattern
The Knit Kulipa V-Neck Vest Pattern
The Kulipa v-neck vest knitting pattern is a free design inspired by Shetland wool from Maine and the quiet landscape of New Hampshire. The combination of natural wool, all-over ribbing, and crocheted flowers gives the knitting a warm, organic character. Kulipa means “tulip” in Hawaiian.
This knitted slipover has a relaxed, oversized shape with plenty of positive ease. The v-neck and cropped front give the vest a modern silhouette, while a sweet row of crocheted tulips brings color and texture to the simple ribbed fabric.
Designed for ladies in sizes XS to 5XL, this free pattern creates a comfortable women’s top that adds warmth without the weight of a full sweater. The v-neck vest can be layered in different ways as the seasons change. You can find more of my clothing knit patterns here.
How To Knit a V-Neck Vest
This free v-neck vest pattern is knit from the bottom up using worsted weight yarn. Knitting begins with a simple 2 x 2 rib stitch, which creates the textured fabric across the body. The stated gauge is worked on US 7 knitting needles.
The front is cropped and shaped to form the v-neck, with plenty of positive ease creating the oversized fit. A row of tulips is crocheted onto the knitted fabric, adding a small botanical detail to the free pattern.
The back panel is worked in two colors, although it can be made entirely in the main color if preferred. Any worsted weight yarn can be substituted for the suggested wool. With its combination of shaping, ribbed knitting, and crochet, this vest pattern is an interesting project for an intermediate maker.
Free Knitting Pattern: Kulipa Slipover Vest
Pattern Information:
MATERIALS:
Echo Valley Farm Shetland Wool, (200 yards/180 meters, 3.5 ounces/100 grams, Shetland Wool), worsted wt yarn in MC (grey) for main body. 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) [3, 4, 4, 4] skeins**)
Echo Valley Farm Shetland Wool, (200 yards/180 meters, 3.5 ounces/100 grams, Shetland Wool), worsted wt yarn in CC2 (pink) for tulips and back. 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) [2, 2, 2, 3] skeins)
Any worsted wt wool, in CC1 (green) for leaves. (80 yards/74 meters, .70 ounces/20 grams)
**The back panel of this top is worked in 2 colors. If you would like to make your slipover all in the MC, please add 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) [2, 2, 2, 3] skein(s)
You can substitute for ANY worsted wt yarn you’d like to make this slipover.
NEEDLES:
US 7/4.5 mm circular needles – 16”/40 cm length plus one additional US 7/4.5 mm needle for 3-needle BO on shoulders
US 10/6.0 mm circular needles – 16”/40 cm length for front BO before leaves + tulip rows
US H/5.0 mm crochet hook (for cast on)
US I/9/5.5 mm crochet hook (for leaf + tulip row)
NOTIONS:
Stitch Holder or scrap yarn
Stitch Markers (2)
Removeable Stitch Markers (2)
Darning/Yarn Needle
GAUGE:
18 sts + 28 rows = 4” (10 cm) on size US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles in 2 x 2 rib st (blocked).
TO FIT SIZES:
XS 28 (S 32, M 36, L 40, XL 44) [2X 48, 3X 52, 4X 56, 5X 60]” (XS 70 (S 80, M 90, L 100, XL 110) [2X 120, 3X 130, 4X 140, 5X 150] cm) chest circumference with 6 – 7”, (15 – 17.5 cm) positive ease.
FINISHED GARMENT MEASUREMENTS:
| SIZE | Bust Circ. | Front Length | Back Length | Armhole Depth | Neck Width | Shoulder Width |
| XS | 34” (85 cm) | 16.5” (41.25 cm) | 18.5” (46.25 cm) | 8” (20 cm) | 7” (17.5 cm) | 4.25” (10.75 cm) |
| S | 39” (98 cm) | 17” (42.5 cm) | 19” (47.5 cm) | 8.5” (21.25 cm) | 7.25” (18.25 cm) | 5.5” (13.75 cm) |
| M | 42” (105 cm) | 17.25” (43.25 cm) | 19.25” (48.25 cm) | 9” (22.5 cm) | 7.5” (18.75 cm) | 6” (15 cm) |
| L | 47” (118 cm) | 17.5” (43.75 cm) | 19.5” (48.75 cm) | 9.5” (23.75 cm) | 7.75” (19.5 cm) | 7” (17.5 cm) |
| XL | 50” (125 cm) | 17.75” (44.5 cm) | 19.75” (49.5 cm) | 10” (25 cm) | 8” (20 cm) | 7.75” (19.5 cm) |
| 2X | 55” (138 cm) | 18” (45 cm) | 20” (50 cm) | 10.5” (26.25 cm) | 8.25” (20.5 cm) | 8.75” (21.75 cm) |
| 3X | 58” (145 cm) | 18” (45 cm) | 20” (50 cm) | 11” (27.5 cm) | 8.5” (21.25 cm) | 9.5” (23.75 cm) |
| 4X | 63” (158 cm) | 18.5” (46.25 cm) | 20.5” (51.25 cm) | 11.5” (28.75 cm) | 8.75” (21.75 cm) | 10.5” (26.25 cm) |
| 5X | 66” (165 cm) | 18.5” (46.25 cm) | 20.5” (51.25 cm) | 12” (30 cm) | 9” (22.5 cm) | 11” (27.5 cm) |
ABBREVIATIONS:
KNIT:
Beg – begin(ning)
BO – bind off
Circ – circumference
CO – cast on
Cont– continue
Dec – decrease
Ea – each
F/O – fasten off
Inc(s) – increase(s)
K – knit
K2tog – knit 2 together
Kwise – knitwise
LF – left front
Lt – left
M – marker
M1L – make 1 left
Pwise – purlwise
P – purl
PM – place marker
Rep – repeat
RF – right front
Rt – right
Rnd – round
RS – right side
Sl – slip
Slm – slip marker
Sl st – slip stitch
SSK – slip stitch, slip stitch, pass one slipped stitch over the other slipped stitch
St – stitch
Sts – stitches
WS – wrong side
Wt – weight
YO – yarn over
CROCHET:
Ch – chain
Dc – double crochet
Dc4-tog-as-one – double crochet 4 sts together as one (a decrease)
Hdc – half double crochet
Sk – skip
Sp – space
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Feel free to sell your finished shawls made from this pattern, however, please do not copy, alter, or sell the pattern itself. For each of your listings, you must include the following: “Pattern provided by Judy Jewell of The Autumn Acorn at http://www.theautumnacorn.etsy.com“.
Want to Upgrade?
You can also purchase a PDF version of the Kulipa Slipover Vest Knitting Pattern.
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You can also purchase this pattern from The Autumn Acorn, Etsy or Ravelry stores.
Let’s Begin The Free Knit Vest Pattern
FRONT:
Using MC and US 7 (4.5 mm) needles plus US H (5.0 mm) crochet hook, crochet CO 76 (88, 94, 106, 112) [124, 130, 142, 148] sts loosely.
2 x 2 Ribbing:
XS (S, x, x, XL) [2X, x, x, 5X]
Row 1: (RS) *K2, p2, rep from * across.
Repeat last row 8 more times, ending on a WS row.
x (x, M, L, x) [x, 3X, 4X, x]
Row 1: (RS) *K2, p2, rep from * across to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2: Knit the k sts and purl the p sts to end of row.
Repeat last row 8 more times, ending on a WS row.
(RS) BO in 2 x 2 ribbing using a simple BO + US 10 needles.
Leaf Row:
(WS) Insert US I (5.5 mm) crochet hook into the last st of BO and attach CC1 with a [sl st, ch 2, dc in 1st st: all in one st], sk 2 sts, *(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next st, skip 2 sts; rep from * until 3 sts rem, skip 2 sts, dc in last st, turn.
Tulip Row:
(RS) Change to CC2, ch 2, dc in 1st st, *ch 2, dc4-tog-as-one in ch 2 sp; rep from * to last ch 2 sp, ch 2, dc in last st, turn.
(WS) Change to MC and a US H (5.0 mm) crochet hook. Ch 1, hdc in first st, *2 hdc in 1st ch-2 sp, 1 hdc in top of tulip, 2 hdc in ch-2 sp; rep from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st, F/O. (76 (88, 94, 106, 112) [124, 130, 142, 148] sts)
(RS) Cont w/ MC, and US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles, pick up 76 (88, 94, 106, 112) [124, 130, 142, 148] sts along your crocheted edge. *Be sure to pick up both front horizontal bars of ea st.
(WS) Work in 2 x 2 ribbing until piece measures 8.5 (8.5, 8.25, 8, 7.75) [7.5, 7, 7, 6.5] inches, (21.25 (21.25, 20.75, 20, 19.5) [18.75, 17.5, 17.5, 16.25] cm) ending on a WS row. On last row, pm after 38th (44th, 47th, 53rd, 56th) [62nd, 65th, 71st, 74th] sts marking center front.
V-Neck Shaping LEFT:
Row 1: (RS) Work in 2 x 2 ribbing until 3 sts before m, p2tog, k1, remove st marker, turn work.
Row 2: (WS) Knit the k sts and purl the p sts to end of row, turn work.
Rep last 2 rows until 19 (24, 27, 32, 35) [40, 42, 48, 50] sts remain on needle.
Work in 2 x 2 ribbing until left front piece measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) [10.5, 11, 11.5, 12] inches, (20 (21.25, 22.5, 23.75, 25) [26.25, 27.5, 28.75, 30] cm) from split, ending on a RS row. Move remaining sts to a holder or scrap yarn.
V-Neck Shaping RIGHT:
Row 1: (WS) Attach MC to rt side of garment, knit the k sts and purl the p sts to end of row.
Row 2: (RS) K1, k2tog, knit the k sts and purl the p sts to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows until 19 (24, 27, 32, 35) [40, 42, 48, 50] sts remain on needle.
Work in 2 x 2 ribbing until left front piece measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) [10.5, 11, 11.5, 12] inches, (20 (21.25, 22.5, 23.75, 25) [26.25, 27.5, 28.75, 30] cm) from split, ending on a WS row. Move remaining sts to a holder or scrap yarn.
BACK:
(Beg at bottom and working flat, back + forth in rows)
Using MC and US 7 (4.5 mm) needles plus US H (5.0 mm) crochet hook, crochet CO 76 (88, 94, 106, 112) [124, 130, 142, 148] sts loosely.
2 x 2 Ribbing:
XS (S, x, x, XL) [2X, x, x, 5X]
Row 1: (RS) *K2, p2, rep from * across.
x (x, M, L, x) [x, 3X, 4X, x]
Row 1: (RS) *K2, p2, rep from * across to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2: Knit the k sts and purl the p sts to end of row.
Rep last row until back panel measures 10.5 (10.5, 10.25, 10, 9.75) [9.5, 9, 9, 8.5] inches, (26.25 (26.25, 25.75, 25, 24.5) [23.75, 22.5, 22.5, 21.25] cm) ending on a WS row.
Attach CC2 if knitting a 2-color version (or cont on w/MC if you prefer a 1-color version.)
(RS) Work in 2 x 2 ribbing until back panel measures 16 (16.5, 16.75, 17, 17.25) [17.5, 17.5, 18, 18] inches, (40 (41.25, 41.75, 42.5, 43.25) [43.75, 43.75, 45, 45] cm)
Single Leaf Bud: (optional)
On a WS row, place a st marker at center st and work 2 x 2 ribbing to st marker. With US I (5.5 mm) crochet hook and CC1, sl st into next st, ch 2 (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) all in same st, With MC, k next st, work 2 x 2 ribbing across.
Single Tulip Bud: (optional)
On a RS row, cont w/ MC, work 2 x 2 ribbing across to leaf. With CC2, and US I (5.5 mm) crochet hook, sl st in first dc, 4dc-tog-as-one in ch 2 sp, F/O, backwards CO 1 p st to secure tulip, p next st, work 2 x 2 ribbing to end of row.
Cont working 2 x 2 ribbing for an additional 2.5 inches ending on a WS row.
Neck:
(RS) Work 2 x 2 ribbing for 19 (24, 27, 32, 35) [40, 42, 48, 50] sts, BO the middle 38 (40, 40, 42, 42) [44, 46, 46, 48] sts loosely in 2 x 2 ribbing, work in 2 x 2 ribbing to end of row.
Left Shoulder:
Working on lt shoulder, work 5 rows of 2 x 2 ribbing ending on a WS row, move sts to a holder or scrap yarn.
Right Shoulder:
Attach CC2 if knitting a 2-color version (or cont w/MC if you are working a 1-color version) to rt shoulder. K 5 rows of 2 x 2 ribbing, ending on a WS row.
Shoulders:
With right sides of the front and back panels facing ea other and wrong sides showing, line up the top of the back shoulder straps to the top of the front shoulder straps. Using matching yarn and an additional size US needle (for a total of 3), work a 3-needle BO to seam the top of the shoulders together. See Very Pink Knits tutorial.
Armholes + Split Hem:
Measure 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) [10.5, 11, 11.5, 12] inches (20 (21.25, 22.5, 23.75, 25) [26.25, 27.5, 28.75, 30] cm) down from the shoulder seem and mark with a removeable marker. Using a darning needle and matching yarn, with right sides of the front and back panels facing ea other and wrong sides showing, use mattress st to seam sides from the marker to 1.5” (4 cm) from the front bottom hem. *Back of slipover should hang down further than front of slipover.
Neckline:
Using MC and US 7/4.5 mm knitting needles, pick up and k 55 (59, 63, 65, 69)[73, 77, 79, 83] sts down one side of the V, Pick up a stitch in the center of the v, place a removeable st marker in center st, pick up and k 55 (59, 63, 65, 69)[73, 77, 79, 83] sts up the side of the V, then pick up and k 38 (40, 40, 42, 42)[44, 46, 46, 48] sts along the back of the neck. Place marker to indicate BOR. (149 (157, 165, 173, 181) [191, 201, 205, 215] sts)
Neckline Ribbing:
Round 1: *P1, k1; rep from * to one st before marker (center st must be a k st), sl st 2 sts tog as if to k2tog, k next st, pull the 2 sl sts over the k st (mitered decrease), place removeable m in decreased st, *k1, p1; rep from * around.
Rep Round 1, 4 more times
BO loosely in 1 x 1 ribbing.
Blocking:
Soak your slipover in warm water + mild soap for at least one hour and then wrap it in a towel to remove excess water.
Reshape and lay flat to dry.
Weave in all loose ends, snip and enjoy!
Need Some Help?
If you have any questions at all about this pattern please reach out, I’ll be happy to help.
