Bittie Bestie Vestie
Bittie Bestie Vestie
Kids change quickly, but the joy of knitting for them never does.
I first designed the Bittie Bestie Vestie for the same tiny human who once toddled around in the Little Nydia Cardigan. She’s not tiny anymore, of course. She’s taller now, a little braver in her choices, and full of Opinions with a capital O.
When she spotted me working on this vest, she reached for the fuzzy ball of mohair like she already knew it belonged to her. I dared to ask if she liked the color, and she gave me this tiny, shy nod that said, Obviously. That was all the approval I needed.
Naturally, once hers was finished, I couldn’t leave her little brother out. But I didn’t want a twin set; I wanted each vest to have its own personality. So the second version came to be: one soft and airy with mohair and lace, the other clean and classic with a smooth wool and a crisp texture, both sharing the same signature cables and “instant favorite” energy as the adult Bestie Vestie.
The vest itself is worked bottom up with seamless construction, smart shaping, and just enough variety to keep the knit engaging. It’s friendly for newer knitters, still fun for the veterans, and supported with step-by-step video tutorials so you always know exactly where you’re headed.
Why you’ll love this pattern
Two front panel options: cables with lace for something airy, or cables with texture for a timeless look
Video support: detailed tutorials so you’re never left guessing
Seamless design: just weave in the ends and send them out to charm the world
Yarn flexibility: beautiful in DK (with or without mohair) or light worsted
Instant digital download: cast on whenever you need a quick win and a big smile
Make it a family affair: pair it with the grown-up Bestie Vestie for two generations of vest joy
Testermonials
“The pattern was great - I loved the layout, loved the spaces you included to note what round I ended on for the front panel. The notes and video links were very helpful as well. I think everything was very clear. This was my first bottom up knit and I was very happy with how clear and easy the instructions made it!”
“You have a level of detail and finishing that I don’t see in many patterns. There is much thought into the visuals of the pattern itself and in your videos you have a warm, kind presence. It’s a wholesome experience and I love you refer to your own videos. We don’t often get to “know” a designer on this level and I really love that. Also your knits as well, you pay attention to the finishing and the seams, it’s a level of finishing I never payed attention before, even with beautiful knit garments, it’s just that little extra that makes it perfect.”
“Just like the adult version, I found this bittie version very easy to follow. I liked the formatting and found it easy to find information when I needed to look back and check something.”
What you get
The Bittie Bestie Vestie pattern is designed to make your knitting experience smooth, enjoyable, and pleasantly fuss free. Inside the digital PDF, you’ll find
clear, easy-to-follow written instructions and charts
links to step-by-step video tutorials for extra confidence whenever you want it
multiple sizes thoughtfully graded for a comfortable fit over shirts, dresses, or tees
helpful notes and linked resources right where you need them
interactive note spaces and checkboxes to help you track your progress without losing your place
Help your tiniest trendsetter live their vest life with a knit made just for them.
Test Knitter Photo Gallery
Many thanks to all the test knitters who helped bring this cute little pattern to life! Check out their adorable Bittie Bestie Vesties in the gallery below, shown in alphabetical order by the makers’ Ravelry usernames unless otherwise noted. Click or tap the photos to enlarge them and scroll through. 🥹
The Knitty-Gritty
Description
Add a dash of adorable to a little one's wardrobe with this cute yet cozy and refined vest! The Bittie Bestie Vestie is knit seamlessly from the bottom up using either one strand each of DK and lace weight yarn held together or a worsted weight yarn on its own.
Choose the perfect size for your recipient, and then get ready to watch this vest fly off the needles! You'll begin at the hem with a polished (and fun!) alternating cable cast on and work in the round to the underarms. Next, you'll work each part of the yoke flat, and the rows become shorter and shorter while a classic V neckline emerges organically from either a downscaled version of the cable and lace panel used in the adult Bestie Vestie or from an alternative, non-lace option. Each shoulder is then joined with a sturdy three‑needle bind off, and the armholes and neckline are trimmed with lovely twisted rib edgings that culminate in tubular bind offs.
Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8, 9]
To Fit Ages: 3–6 months (6–12 months, 12–18 months, 18–24 months, 2–4 years) [4–6 years, 6–8 years, 8–10 years, 10–12 years]
Finished Chest Circumferences
Inches: 18.25 (19.75, 21, 21.5, 22.5) [24.25, 25.75, 29, 30.5]″
Centimeters: 45.5 (49.5, 52.5, 53.5, 56.5) [60.5, 64.5, 72.5, 76.5] cm
Vest is intended to fit with approximately 2″ (5 cm) of positive ease at the chest. Pink sample shown in size 6 with lace panel on a 4-year-old; blue sample shown in size 6 (slightly tighter gauge) with non-lace panel on an almost 3-year-old.
Yarn
Plied, DK weight yarn and lace weight mohair or suri/silk blend or plied, worsted weight yarn in the following amount (see note regarding mohair allergies in the pattern):
Yards: 125 (157, 185, 202, 232) [295, 342, 422, 465] yards
Meters: 114 (144, 169, 185, 213) [270, 313, 386, 425] meters
Pink sample shown in Malabrigo Dos Tierras [DK weight; 50% merino wool, 50% baby alpaca] held together with Malabrigo Mohair [lace weight; 72% mohair, 28% silk], both in colorway 'English Rose.' Blue sample shown in Malabrigo Rios [worsted weight; 100% superwash merino wool] in colorway ‘Azul Profundo.'
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 16–24″ (40–60 cm) (depending on the body circumference of the size chosen), or needle size necessary to obtain correct gauge
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle(s), 16″ (40 cm) (and 24″ (60 cm), if needed for body circumference of the size chosen), or needle size 0.5 mm smaller than gauge needle
(1) Double-pointed needle or spare circular needle in same size as gauge needle
Gauge
20 sts and 30 rows/rounds = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using larger needles, blocked
Notions
(1) Stitch marker, unique, for beginning of round
(2) Stitch markers, color A
(2) Stitch markers, color B
(1) Locking stitch marker
Cable needle
(2) Double-ended stitch holders and smooth waste yarn
Tapestry needle
Techniques You'll Learn or Use
Twisted ribbing
Cables
German short rows
Twisted slip-slip-knit (ssk), knit 2 together (k2tog), and center double decrease (CDD)