Have you ever had a knitting project that grew slowly in the background? Not rushed. Not loud.
Just quietly forming itself into something versatile.

Let me introduce you to the Ardaigh Shawl & Vest.

It started as a shawl, but as I worked through the shaping, I kept thinking … what if you could slip it on like a vest? Just a little change. A bit of space for your arms. A garment that wraps, but still moves with you. So that’s what it became: a single pattern that lets you decide.

Wear it as a shawl.
Wear it as a vest.
There’s no right answer.

Where the Shawl Shape Begins

This pattern combines a lot of different techniques and stitches, making it a great way of learning while you knit. Whether it’s lace, Japanese short rows, German short rows or a provisional cast-on, you’ll come away from this pattern with a great collection of new skills.

The project begins at the centre of the back with a provisional cast-on. I’ve used the Invisible Method as it can be done with Barber Cord making it really easy to slide onto your needle when you come back to work the other side.

After the cast-on, we add a gentle curve at the base using German short rows. These form a garter stitch wedge that lets the piece hug the lower back without pulling or bunching. It creates a natural sweep that makes the fabric fall just right.

Lace that Finds Its Rhythm

Once the shape is set, the lace begins working it from the centre of the back to the side.
The pattern is light and airy, and very easy to memorise. I find it slips into rhythm after a few repeats, which makes it the perfect knit for quiet evenings.

At the end of the back we’ll introduce a few short rows within the lace pattern. And this is where we shift technique using Japanese short rows instead of German.

Why the change?

Because when you’re turning mid-lace, you want that transition to almost disappear. Japanese short rows are excellent for this, they keep things neat and soft without interrupting the flow of the fabric. They ‘hide’ short rows when you are using a looser gauge and it works very nicely when you are turning between lace pattern repeats.

Add the Armholes… or Don’t

Now that the back is completely done it’s time to add the armhole if you are working the vest option. If you decide to make the vest version, this is where the fun begins.

When you knit you can decide if you want to include the armholes, they are worked in a similar way to an ‘afterthought’ heel using waste yarn. You will knit the armhole stitches with the waste yarn, slip them back and then continue back with your main working yarn. This means that when your knitting is complete you can unpick those stitches and work an armhole bind-off. Because of how easy they are to add you can also move the position up or down easily so they are just where you would like.

And if you’re sticking with the shawl? Just skip them entirely. You go straight onto the lace decreases and finally the garter decreases. As you can probably guess, once that’s done we just head back to our provisional cast-on and work the left side to mirror the right!

A Styling Trick

One of my favourite things about this piece is how you can still wear the vest version as a shawl.

If you thread the tail end through one of the armholes, it anchors softly over your shoulder with no pin or fuss needed. It’s small things like that which make a piece feel unique to you. While we all knit the same shawl, very few of us will wear or style it the same way adding that extra bit of ‘you’ into your handknits.

A Word About the Yarn

This sample was knit in LITLG Silk Merino Sock, and it’s one of those yarns that behaves beautifully on the needles. The silk gives it a little shimmer, and it glides while you work.

But silk does stretch, especially after blocking. The addition of silk does also mean that when it’s blocking and being worn your finished piece will grow in size. Don’t be alarmed,this is actually helpful here. A bit of extra length in a shawl or vest just gives it more drape. More movement. More presence. Fortunately for a shawl this is usually a good thing!

Ardaigh Shawl & Vest Pattern Details

SIZES

Small (Large)

To Fit Shoulder Width Up To: 15.75 (19.5)” / 40 (49.5) cm

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width at Top: 54.75 (62)” / 139 (157.5) cm

Depth at Centre: 25.5 (27.25)” / 65 (69) cm

Large size modelled

YARN

LITLG ‘Silk Merino Sock’ (50% Silk, 50% Wool); 437 yds / 400 m per 3.53 oz / 100 g); colour:

Celestial; 2 skeins

Approx Yardage Used: (707) 874 yds / (646) 800 m

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

US size 6 / 4 mm circular needles, 32″ / 80 cm long

Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.

Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn or Barber Cord.

GAUGE

18 sts & 26 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Lace Pattern Blocked

18 sts & 38 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Garter Stitch Blocked

Learn as You Go

This is a project that gently teaches you as you knit.

You’ll meet techniques like Japanese and German short rows with lace, get comfortable with provisional cast-ons, and finish with something you can wear right away.

Ready to Cast On?

This pattern is part of our 2025 Summer Seasons Club. You can join us and pick up the digital option right here and have access to the pattern, workshops, live zoom recording, digital treats and exclusive community space.