Imagine Peace Vest/Tank-top for Toddlers

Imagine Peace Vest/Tank-top for Toddlers

Inspired by Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Project, I designed this toddler vest/tank-top to reflect the idea that if we as individuals think of peace, this thought has the potential to spread throughout the world. Yoko’s goal is to have 1 billion people participate by imagining peace, so I encourage you to join in by trying your hand at this simple pattern.

I used cotton yarn in order to create a summer tank-top, but two contrasting colors in a worsted wait wool yarn would work just as well if you would prefer to make a warmer winter vest.

When selecting the size you want to make, please note that this is a close-fitting vest. I knit up the 1 year old size to fit my average-sized (25 lb.) 16-month-old son. If you are in doubt, measure your toddler around the biggest part of his/her belly and make the size with the chest circumference that is just a bit bigger than that measurement, regardless of age. If this is a gift and you can’t take measurements, err on the side of caution and make one size up. They’ll fit into it eventually!

If you have any questions or notice something that needs to be corrected, leave me a comment, or contact me, amberbryant, in Ravelry. I will be happy to hear from you!

Sizes: 1 yr.(2 yr.,3 yr.)

Finished Measurements:
Chest circumference: 22(24, 26) in.
Length: 12.5(13,13.5) in.

Materials:
Yarn:
MC: Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton 1(2,2) skeins in Sand or other light color
CC: Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Organic Cotton 1(1,1) skein in Periwinkle or other contrasting color

Needles:
US 6/4mm needle
US 7/4.5mm needle
1 set US 6/4mm double pointed needles

Notions:
Stitch holder or spare needle.
Tapestry needle.

Gauge: 16 stitches = 4 inches (change needle size to achieve correct gauge)

Pattern notes: If you’ve never done colorwork before, don’t be intimidated! This is a pretty simple project, color-wise, so jump right in. If you need some guidance, I’d recommend reading Knitty’s tutorial on color stranding, to help get you started. Note that the MC can be stranded throughout the peace symbol, but the CC should be dropped (after twisting it around the MC) each time you finish the outer circle of the symbol.

Directions:

BACK

Using CC and smaller needles, CO 44(48, 52) stitches.

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 4 rows.

Switch to MC and larger needles and work in stockinette stitch until piece measure 7.5(8, 8.5) inches from CO edge, ending with WS row.

Arm hole shaping: BO 2 stitches at beginning of next two rows. 40(44,48) stitches remain.

BO 1 stitch at beginning of next 2 rows. 38(42, 46) stitches remain.

Continue until piece measures 11.5(12, 12.5) in. from CO edge, ending with WS row.

Neck shaping: knit 8(9,10) stitches, BO 22(24,26) stitches, Knit remaining 8(9,10) stitches.

Back right shoulder:

R1: Purl.

R2: K1, SSK. Knit to end of row.

R3: Purl.

R4: K1 SSK. Knit to end of row.

Continue until piece measures 12.5(13, 13.5) in.

Put remaining 6(7,8) stitches on stitch holder.

Repeat process for back left shoulder as follows:

R1: With WS facing, reattach yarn and Purl.

R2: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, k1.

R3: Purl.

R4: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, k1.

Complete as with Right shoulder.

FRONT

Work as for back until piece measures 5(5.5, 6) in. from CO edge, ending with WS row.

Begin chart as follows:

The first chart line will form the bottom 6 stitches of the peace sign. These six stitches should be in the middle of the vest to ensure that the entire Imagine Peace motif is centered. Knit 19(21,23) stitches with the MC, then knit 6 stitches in CC, then knit 19(21,23) stitches with the MC.

Continue with chart.

AT THE SAME TIME that you are working the chart, remember to BO for the armhole shaping the same way you did for the back when the piece measures 7.5(8,8.5) in. from CO edge.

Finish the chart and continue until piece measures 10(10.5,11) in. from CO edge, ending with WS row.

Repeat same neck shaping as with the back piece and continue until piece measures 12.5(13,13.5) from CO, leaving remaining stitches on needle.

FINISHING

Graph shoulder pieces together using Kitchener stitch.

Weave in loose ends.

Block pieces.

Seam sides using mattress stitch.

Using double pointed needles, pick up 36(40,44) stitches evenly around each armhole and work k2,p2 ribbing for 4 rounds. BO loosely.

Pick up 56(60,64) stitches evenly around neck and work k2,p2 ribbing for 4 rounds. BO loosely.

Weave in remaining loose ends.

click on chart to print a larger copy