Briarberry Farmhouse Pine Tree Views Sweater Vest: Free Knitting Pattern
There is something deeply satisfying about sitting down with a pair of needles and a skein of yarn and knowing that what you are about to create will be worn season after season. The Briarberry Farmhouse Pine Tree Views Sweater Vest is exactly that kind of project. It carries the warmth of a rural afternoon, the texture of aged wood siding, and the silhouette of pine trees rising against a winter sky — all captured in a wearable, layered garment that works just as well over a flannel shirt in the mountains as it does draped over a blouse at a cozy weekend market. This free pattern is designed for knitters who love a project with personality, and it delivers that in spades.
Whether you are a seasoned knitter looking for your next statement piece or an intermediate crafter ready to push into colorwork and simple shaping, this pattern is built for you. Let’s walk through everything — the inspiration, the materials, the gauge, and the full pattern instructions — so you can cast on with confidence.
The Inspiration Behind the Design
The name says it all, really. Briarberry is a word that conjures images of wild hedgerows, frost-kissed mornings, and the particular quiet that settles over a farmhouse in late autumn. The Pine Tree Views portion of the name speaks to the colorwork motif at the heart of this vest: a band of stylized pine trees rendered in two-color stranded knitting that sits across the yoke and gives the garment its signature look.
The farmhouse aesthetic has had a long love affair with knitwear, and for good reason. Handknitted garments carry a sense of intention and craftsmanship that fits naturally into a lifestyle that values the handmade, the slow, and the rooted. This sweater vest captures that spirit without veering into costume territory. It is modern enough to wear to brunch, rustic enough to wear while wandering a farmers market, and cozy enough to curl up in on a Sunday morning with a mug of something hot.
The pine tree motif itself draws from a long tradition of Scandinavian and Nordic colorwork, where stylized trees, snowflakes, and geometric shapes have appeared on garments for centuries. Here, the trees are simplified and bold — readable even at a distance and satisfying to knit because of the rhythm they create in the stranded pattern.
Materials and Tools
Before you begin, gather the following materials. The pattern is written for a worsted weight yarn, which gives the fabric good stitch definition and makes the colorwork crisp and clear.
Yarn: You will need two colors — a main color (MC) and a contrast color (CC). Approximately 700–900 yards of MC and 150–200 yards of CC, depending on your chosen size. Choose a yarn with good stitch definition; a wool or wool-blend works beautifully for this project. A smooth ply is recommended over a fuzzy or textured fiber so the pine tree motif reads clearly.
Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles, 24 inches or longer, for the body. US size 6 (4.0mm) circular needles for the ribbing at the hem, armholes, and neckline. If you prefer to work flat, straight needles in these sizes will work for the body panels.
Notions: Stitch markers, a tapestry needle for finishing, scissors, and a handful of locking stitch markers or waste yarn for holding stitches. A row counter is helpful but not strictly necessary.
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, blocked. Gauge matters a great deal with this pattern because the sizing is worked in increments of 2 inches. Please swatch before you begin, and if necessary adjust your needle size until your gauge matches.
Sizing
The Briarberry Farmhouse Pine Tree Views Sweater Vest is written in six sizes to fit a range of bodies comfortably. The pattern is designed with approximately 2–4 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished garment will be slightly larger than your actual measurements for a relaxed, layered fit.
Sizes are listed as follows, with finished chest measurements in parentheses: Small (36 inches), Medium (40 inches), Large (44 inches), Extra Large (48 inches), 2X (52 inches), 3X (56 inches). Choose the size closest to your actual chest measurement plus your preferred ease. If you are between sizes, it is generally better to go up.
Pattern Notes
This vest is worked in the round from the bottom up, then divided at the underarms for the front and back panels, which are worked flat. The colorwork yoke is worked after the front and back are joined at the shoulders, and the neckline ribbing is added last. Armhole bands and hem ribbing are worked by picking up stitches along the finished edges.
When working the colorwork section, carry the unused yarn loosely across the back of the work. Floats of more than five stitches should be caught to prevent puckering. If you have not done stranded colorwork before, practice this technique on a small swatch before beginning the yoke section.
The pine tree chart is written out in full below and is also available as a text description for those who prefer to work row by row without a visual chart.
Read all pattern notes before beginning. Instructions are given with the smallest size first, and additional sizes follow in parentheses separated by commas.
The Pattern
Hem Ribbing
Using the smaller circular needles and MC, cast on 162 (180, 198, 216, 234, 252) stitches. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work in 2×2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) for 2.5 inches. Switch to the larger circular needles.
Body
Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the body measures 13 (13, 13.5, 13.5, 14, 14) inches from the cast-on edge, or your desired length to underarm. If you prefer a longer or cropped vest, this is the place to adjust. Just keep in mind that the colorwork yoke will add approximately 5 inches to the total length.
At this point, place a marker at the center of the round to divide front and back. You should have 81 (90, 99, 108, 117, 126) stitches each for the front and the back.
Divide for Armholes
You will now divide the work and begin working flat on the front and back separately.
Right Armhole Setup: Bind off 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) stitches at the beginning of the next row for the underarm. Work to the end of the front stitches. Turn and bind off 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) stitches at the beginning of the wrong-side row. You should now have 71 (80, 87, 96, 103, 112) stitches for the front.
Armhole Decreases: Decrease 1 stitch at each end of every right-side row 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) times. You will now have 61 (70, 75, 84, 89, 98) stitches for the front.
Continue working flat in stockinette until the armhole measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10, 10.5, 11) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
Place these stitches on a holder or waste yarn.
Rejoin yarn to the back stitches and work the underarm bind-off and armhole decreases the same way as for the front. Place back stitches on a holder when the armhole measures the same as the front.
Joining Shoulders and Yoke
To create the seamless yoke, you will use a three-needle bind-off to join the shoulder stitches, then pick up stitches around the entire yoke opening to work the colorwork band in the round.
Lay the front and back with right sides facing each other. Using the three-needle bind-off, join 15 (17, 18, 20, 21, 23) stitches at each shoulder, leaving the center stitches on holders for the neckline.
You should now have approximately 31 (36, 39, 44, 47, 52) stitches remaining on the front holder for the neckline and a similar count on the back.
Picking Up for the Yoke
Using the larger circular needles and MC, pick up and knit stitches evenly around the entire yoke opening, beginning at the right shoulder seam. Pick up 1 stitch for every bound-off stitch and approximately 3 stitches for every 4 rows along the vertical portions. The goal is a multiple of 10 stitches plus any adjustment necessary to make the colorwork chart work. After picking up, count your stitches and adjust by increasing or decreasing 1 or 2 stitches in the first round if necessary to reach the nearest multiple of 10.
Place marker and join to work in the round. Work 2 rounds in stockinette before beginning the colorwork chart.
The Pine Tree Views Colorwork Chart
The pine tree motif repeats over 10 stitches and 17 rounds. Below is the written description of the chart, worked using MC for the background and CC for the tree motif.
Round 1: With MC, knit all stitches.
Round 2: K4 MC, K2 CC, K4 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 3: K3 MC, K4 CC, K3 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 4: K4 MC, K2 CC, K4 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 5: K3 MC, K4 CC, K3 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 6: K2 MC, K6 CC, K2 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 7: K3 MC, K4 CC, K3 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 8: K2 MC, K6 CC, K2 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 9: K1 MC, K8 CC, K1 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 10: K2 MC, K6 CC, K2 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 11: K1 MC, K8 CC, K1 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 12: K all CC.
Round 13: K1 MC, K8 CC, K1 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 14: K4 MC, K2 CC, K4 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 15: K4 MC, K2 CC, K4 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 16: K4 MC, K2 CC, K4 MC; repeat from to end.
Round 17: With MC, knit all stitches.
This creates a bold pine tree silhouette with a wide, triangular canopy tapering down to a narrow trunk. The tree reads clearly in a range of color combinations, but it is especially striking in a deep forest green CC against a cream or oatmeal MC, or in a charcoal MC with a warm rust CC for an earthy, autumnal feel.
Work the chart once through. After round 17, work 2 additional rounds in MC before transitioning to the neckline ribbing.
Neckline Ribbing
Switch to the smaller circular needles. Work in 2×2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) for 1.5 inches. Bind off loosely in pattern. A tubular bind-off is a beautiful finishing option here if you are familiar with the technique, as it gives the neckline a polished, rolled edge.
Armhole Bands
With the smaller circular needles and MC, pick up and knit stitches evenly around one armhole opening. A pickup rate of approximately 3 stitches for every 4 rows works well here. The stitch count should be a multiple of 4 to work evenly in 2×2 rib.
Work in 2×2 rib for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in pattern. Repeat for the second armhole.
Finishing
Weave in all ends carefully, working the tails into the fabric on the wrong side using a tapestry needle. Pay special attention to the floats in the colorwork section — tuck those tails into the floats on the wrong side to prevent them from working loose over time.
Wet block the finished vest by soaking it in cool water for 15–20 minutes, gently squeezing out the excess water (do not wring or twist), then rolling it in a clean towel to remove additional moisture. Lay flat on a blocking mat and pin to your measurements. The colorwork section may benefit from gentle steam blocking to even out the stitches. Allow to dry completely before wearing.
Styling the Briarberry Farmhouse Pine Tree Views Sweater Vest
One of the most appealing things about a sweater vest is its layering versatility. This particular design leans into the farmhouse aesthetic, which means it works beautifully with textures, plaids, and natural fabrics. Here are a few ways to wear it across the seasons.
In autumn and early winter, layer the vest over a thick flannel shirt in a buffalo check or a classic plaid. Roll the cuffs up slightly to let the shirt show at the wrists, and add a pair of straight-leg jeans and ankle boots. The pine tree yoke makes the vest the focal point of the outfit, so keep the rest of the look simple and grounded.
For a more dressed-up take, try the vest over a crisp white button-down with the collar left open and a pair of well-fitted trousers. The colorwork reads as sophisticated rather than rustic in this context, especially if you have chosen a more muted color palette for the MC and CC.
In the transitional months of late September or early March, the vest works beautifully as a standalone top over a long-sleeved thermal or turtleneck. It adds a layer of warmth without the bulk of a full sweater, which makes it perfect for days that start cold and warm up by midday.
Color Palette Ideas
Choosing the right color combination for the Briarberry Farmhouse Pine Tree Views Sweater Vest makes a significant difference in how the finished garment reads. Here are some pairings that work particularly well.
A warm oatmeal or ecru for the main color paired with a deep spruce green for the contrast color is perhaps the most classic choice and evokes a traditional Nordic aesthetic. This combination is immediately recognizable and pairs easily with a wide range of wardrobe basics.
If you prefer something warmer and earthier, try a heathered camel or tawny brown as the MC with a burnt sienna or deep terracotta CC. This gives the vest a distinctly autumnal feel that works especially well in fall.
For those who prefer a more dramatic or moody palette, a deep charcoal or slate gray MC with a creamy ivory CC creates a striking high-contrast look that feels modern and graphic. This version of the vest would pair beautifully with dark denim and a black turtleneck.
If you are adventurous with color, consider a dusty rose or sage green MC with a contrasting deep plum or navy CC. These unexpected combinations give the farmhouse pattern a more contemporary feel while still honoring the handcrafted spirit of the design.
Tips for Success
Working a project like this one for the first time can feel like a lot of moving parts, and that is completely normal. A few practical suggestions will help the process go smoothly.
Always block your swatch. Yarn can change significantly in dimension and drape after washing and blocking, and a swatch that was worked on the needle does not tell the whole story. Wash and block your swatch the same way you intend to wash and block the finished garment, then measure.
When working the colorwork section, hold the yarns in your preferred two-handed style if you are able. This keeps the tension of each color consistent and makes the process faster. If you only work single-handed, do your best to maintain even tension between color changes and be willing to adjust needle size if your colorwork section comes out tighter than your stockinette.
Take your time with the three-needle bind-off at the shoulders. This is the join that will determine how the yoke sits, and a careful, even bind-off will make the finished garment look crisp and professional.
Finally, do not skip the blocking. It is tempting to bind off and immediately want to wear your finished project,
