Knitted Teddy Bear Vest

Finished measurements:   6 1/2 inches from shoulder to bottom; 16 inches around waist; 6 1/2 inches across chest; 7 1/4 inches across mid-back

Needles: Size 8 (4 mm) / US 6 set of 4 double-pointed needles (DPN) and one set of straight needles

Yarn: I used Impeccable Loops & Threads (medium/4), 100% acrylic, I'm sorry I don't have the exact  amount used (no weigh scale), but just a small portion of a full skein (basically stash yarn)

Gauge: 8 sts x 13 rows = 2 inches in stockinette stitch

k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit two stitches together as one
ssk = slip 2 stitches (one at a time) onto the right-hand needle, knit the 2 stitches together
DPN = double pointed needles
sts = stitch

Using the DPNs, cast on 60 sts, distributing 20 sts on each DPN

Round 1: k2, p2, continue to end of round
Repeat this 2 x 2 ribbing pattern for 6 more rounds
Next: k 10 rounds, until piece measures 2 3/4" from bottom edge

Vest Front:
Next: k the first 30 sts onto a straight needle (this is the vest front)
Place the remaining 30 sts onto a stitch holder (these will be the vest back)
With wrong side facing on vest front: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2 (this will give you a garter stitch edge on armhole openings)
Next: k
Continue the last two rows two more times
Next: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2
Next: k4, ssk, k to last 6 sts, k2tog, k4 (28 sts)
Next: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2
Next: k 4, ssk, k to last 6 sts, k2tog, k4 (26 sts)
Next: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2
Next: k
Next: repeat the last two rows one more time
Next: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2
Next: k8, (k1, p1) 5 times, k8
Next: k2, p6, (k1, p1) 5 times, p6, k2
Next: continue the last 2 rows 2 more times for a total of 4 rows
Next: k8, bind of 10 sts (for neck line), k8

Front Left Shoulder Strap:
Now working on front left shoulder strap: k2, p4, k2, and place remaining 8 sts (these will be front right shoulder strap) onto stitch holder
Working again with front left shoulder strap: k8
Next: k2, p4, k2
continue these last two rows once more, ending with wrong side row and place these 8 sts onto a stitch holder, break yarn

Front Right Shoulder Strap:
Now place the 8 sts from stitch holder (for front right shoulder strap) back onto straight needle with wrong side facing, and start with new working yarn: k2, p4, k2
Next: k 8
Next: k2, p4, k2
Continue these last two rows once more, ending with wrong side row and place these 8 sts onto a stitch holder, break yarn

Vest Back:
Now go back to the 30 sts placed on stitch holder (vest back) and place on straight needles
With right side facing, and start with new working yarn: k
Next: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2
Continue with these last two rows for another 18 rows (the piece should measures approx. 3 inches from bottom of arm hole opening) ending with wrong side row

Back Left Shoulder Strap:
Now working the back left shoulder strap:
Right side: k8, bind off 14 sts, k8
Next: k2, p4, k2 and place remaining 8 sts onto stitch holder (these will be right back shoulder strap)
Working on left back shoulder strap: k8
Next: k2, p4, k2
Work the last two rows once more ending with wrong side row, break yarn, leaving a long tail (about 8 inches) to join front and back shoulder straps

Joining Front Right and Back Left Shoulder Straps
Now place 8 sts (for front right shoulder strap) from stitch holder onto DPN, and with wrong sides facing each other, join the front and back shoulder straps using the kitchener stitch. Be sure that you have 8 stitches for both the front and the back shoulder straps in order to properly work the kitchener stitch.

Back Right Shoulder Strap:
Now working with the back right should strap:
Place the 8 sts from the stitch holder onto a straight needle, wrong side facing: k2, p4, k2
Next: k
Work the last two rows once more
Next: k2, p4, k2, break yarn, leaving a long tail (about 8 inches) to join front and back should straps

Joining Front Left and Back Right Shoulder Straps:
Now place 8 sts (for front left shoulder strap) from stitch holder onto DPN, and with wrong sides facing each other, join the front and back shoulder straps using the kitchener stitch. Be sure that you have 8 stitches for both the front and the back shoulder straps in order to properly work the kitchener stitch.

Weave in all ends.