Take the EEK out of STEEK with Steek Exposure Therapy, a stashbusting colourwork vest for first-time steekers!

What makes this a good first steeking project?

1. Lower time investment
A worsted-weight vest knits up much more quickly than a whole sweater! Cutting into something that takes less time feels less risky.
2. No upfront yarn cost
This pattern is a stashbuster! Use up scraps that were taking up space in your stash instead of investing in fancy new yarn.
3. Step-by-step steeking and finishing instructions
I took photos and videos as I was steeking and finishing my vest, and made you a full tutorial with diagrams.
4. You can opt out of the steek
Want more exposure and less steek? The pattern includes an option to work the upper body flat: no steeking required. Once you’re familiar with the pattern, you can knit a second, steeked version!

This pattern includes an adjustment document with detailed instructions for:

Full Hip Adjustment Full Bust Adjustment Bust darts Sizes
(1, 2, 3) (4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9)
These sizes are intended to fit actual body measurements of:
Upper bust circumference (measured around armpit level): (77.5, 85.5, 93.5) (102, 110, 118.5) (126.5, 134.5, 140) cm/(30.5, 33.75, 36.75) (40.25, 43.25, 46.75) (49.75, 53, 55) in
Full bust circumference: (71-76, 81-86, 91.5-96.5) (101.5-106.5, 111.5-117, 122-127) (132-137, 142-147, 152-158) cm/(28-30, 32-34, 36-38) (40-42, 44-46, 48-50) (52-54, 56-58, 60-62) in

The vest has a finished full bust circumference of (82, 90.5, 101) (111.5, 122, 132.5) (143, 151.5, 162) cm/(32.75. 36.25, 40.5) (44.75, 48.75, 53) (57.25, 60.75, 64.75) in.

Choose a size based on your upper bust circumference with consideration for full bust circumference. If your upper bust and full bust fall under different sizes, see the adjustment document for instructions on combining sizes.

This pattern was designed to have 4-12 cm/1.5-4.75 in positive ease in the full bust, but can handle up to 2.5 cm/1 in negative ease. Sample shown is size 3 worn with 11 cm/4.25 in positive ease on a 90 cm full bust.

Gauge
Colourwork Chart: 19 stitches and 23 rows = 10 cm/4 in, using gauge-size needle.

Yarn
Sample was knit with various worsted weight yarns, equivalent to Plymouth Yarn Galway Worsted (100 g/192 m, 100% wool). This yarn is a 4-ply with 9wpi and a suggested gauge of 20 sts.

Stashbusting version:
(451, 515, 584) (654, 735, 817) (890, 957, 1048) m/(493, 463, 639) (715, 803, 894) (973, 1046, 1146) yds equivalent yarn, or at least (241, 267, 304) (344, 380, 420) (463, 498, 547) g.

I suggest having at least 150 m/164 yd of one colour for your ribbing. Or work multicoloured ribbing!

Two-colour version:
(232, 257, 292) (331, 365, 404) (445, 479, 526) m/(254, 281, 320) (362, 400, 441) (486, 523, 575) yd of each of your MC and CC.

Needles and Notions
Below-gauge-size needle should be one size smaller than your gauge-size needle.
For reference, gauge was achieved with a 4 mm/US 6 needle. Below-gauge-size needle used was 3.75 mm/US 5.

80-100 cm/32-40 in gauge-size circular needles for working Colourwork Chart
Below-gauge-size needles for working 2×2 Rib
Scrap yarn or spare needle/cable for putting stitches on hold
7 stitch markers, including 1 unique BOR marker
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
3.5 mm/E-4 crochet hook for steek reinforcement
Small scissors for cutting the steek

Skills Required
Knit, purl, basic decreases, reading a basic chart, picking up stitches, binding off, two-colour stranded knitting, Cable Cast-On (tutorial link included), steeking (tutorial link included).

How This Vest is Knit
Steek Exposure Therapy is knit from the bottom up. After working 2×2 Rib, the body is worked until the underarms. Underarm stitches are placed on hold.

Steeked Option:
Stitches are cast on for armhole steeks and the armhole shaping is worked in the round. At the neck, stitches are put on hold for the center front and another small steek is created to shape the neckline. With these steeks established, the upper body is worked to the shoulders and bound off. Steeks are then reinforced and cut open. After sewing the shoulder seams, stitches are picked up around the armholes and neckline and finished with 2×2 Rib, and steeks are stitched down securely.

Worked-Flat Option:
After putting underarm and back stitches on hold, the front is worked flat with armhole shaping to the neckline, where center front neck stitches are put on hold. Each shoulder is worked separately and shoulder stitches are placed on hold. The back is then worked flat with armhole shaping. Front and back shoulders are then grafted together before picking up stitches around the armholes and neckline and finishing with 2×2 Rib.

Pattern Details

Category

Vest

Suggested Yarn

Plymouth Yarn Galway Worsted

Yarn Weight

Worsted (9 wpi)

Gauge

19 stitches and 23 rows in 4 cm / 10 in

Needle Sizes

US 5 – 3.75 mm
US 6 – 4.0 mm

Yardage

493 – 1146 yards (451 – 1048 m)

Sizes Available

(1, 2, 3) (4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9)

Price

C$18.5 CAD

Published

2026/03/01

Designer

Shena Tschofen

Languages

English