Knit Hooded Houndstooth Vest Free Pattern

Introduction

This hooded houndstooth vest is a cozy, layer-friendly piece for anyone who loves a bit of classic pattern with a relaxed, desert-boho feel. It is knit from two simple rectangles in two-color double knitting, so the houndstooth shows on both sides and the fabric stays smooth and drapey. The natural undyed bamboo cotton gives it a soft, cool hand and a subtle two-tone look that works over a tee or under a jacket. With ribbed armhole bands and a plain tube hood, it is a satisfying project for knitters ready to try double knitting for the first time.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Sport weight (CYC 2) bamboo cotton, 50% bamboo / 50% cotton, 300 yd (274 m) per 100 g skein. Color A: Natural (undyed), 600 yd (2 skeins). Color B: Light Ecru (undyed), 600 yd (2 skeins).
• Needles: 3.75 mm (US 5) circular needle, 24" or longer, for double knitting; 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle for ribbing.
• Notions: Cable needle or stitch holder, stitch markers, tapestry needle.
• Finished size: Chest circumference 44" (112 cm); length from shoulder to hem 26" (66 cm); armhole depth 9" (23 cm); hood height 12" (30 cm).

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• st(s): stitch(es)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• K: knit
• P: purl
• St st: stockinette stitch (knit all rounds when working in the round)
• K2tog: knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
• Ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (a left-leaning decrease)
• Rnd: round
• A / B: Color A (Natural) / Color B (Light Ecru)

Gauge

24 sts and 26 rows = 4" (10 cm) in double-knit houndstooth pattern (12 sts per color per 4"). Knit a swatch in pattern, block it lightly, and measure a 4" section to confirm your stitch and row counts before starting.

Tips Before You Start

• Double knitting works both colors at once; keep the two yarns separate and untwisted at the edges to avoid tangles and puckered sides.
• Work a practice swatch of the houndstooth chart first so you can read the color changes confidently before casting on 264 sts.
• Because the body is two identical rectangles, knit them back to back and check they measure the same before seaming.
• Use a removable marker at the center back of the hood so the paired decreases stay centered as you shape the crown.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Front and Back (make 2 identical rectangles)

Set-up: With A and B held together, CO 264 sts using the two-color long-tail cast-on (132 sts per color).

Set-up row: [K1 A, p1 B] across (264 sts).

Rows 1-169: Work in double-knit houndstooth pattern (chart or written instructions), repeating the 4-row pattern, until piece measures 26" (66 cm) from CO, ending after a WS row (264 sts).

Bind off: Bind off all sts in pattern (264 sts bound off).

Shoulder Seams

Step 1: Place markers 6" (15 cm) in from each side edge on both rectangles to mark the shoulder seams.

Step 2: With RS facing, join front and back at the shoulders using a three-needle bind-off or mattress stitch, leaving the center 12" (30 cm) open for the neck.

Side Seams

Step 1: With RS facing, join the side edges from the hem up to 9" (23 cm) below the top edge, leaving the armholes open.

Step 2: Repeat for the second side.

Armhole Bands (make 2)

Set-up: With the smaller needle and A, pick up and knit 80 sts evenly around one armhole. Join to work in the round (80 sts).

Rnds 1-7: [K1, p1] around (80 sts).

Bind off: Bind off all sts in rib (80 sts bound off).

Repeat for the second armhole.

Hood

Set-up: With the larger needle and A, pick up and knit 100 sts evenly around the neck opening. Join to work in the round and place a marker at center back (100 sts).

Rnds 1-78: Knit all sts in St st until the hood measures 12" (30 cm) from the pick-up edge (100 sts).

Rnd 79 (decrease): [K2tog, k to 2 sts before marker, ssk, slip marker] twice (96 sts).

Rnd 80: Knit all sts (96 sts).

Rnds 81-86: Repeat Rnds 79-80 three more times (84 sts after Rnd 86).

Rnds 87-118: Repeat Rnd 79 every round until 20 sts remain (20 sts).

Finish: Graft the remaining 20 sts together using Kitchener st.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the WS, taking care not to pull the double-knit fabric tight. Block lightly to the finished measurements: 44" (112 cm) chest, 26" (66 cm) shoulder to hem, 9" (23 cm) armhole depth, and 12" (30 cm) hood height. Pin the armhole bands and hood edges flat while drying so they sit smoothly, then steam or wet-block according to your yarn label.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap Color B for a soft contrast like sand or sage to make the houndstooth pop while keeping the natural look.
• Add 1" (2.5 cm) of k1, p1 rib to the hem before binding off for a slightly more finished lower edge.
• Work the hood in pattern instead of plain St st for an allover houndstooth look, or add a few short rows at the back neck for a deeper hood.