This baby’s vest is quick and easy to knit and is a great project for a beginner.
Ribbing can be done in contrasting colours. Stripes in additional colours can be worked into stocking stitch sections in the main body of the vest.
These knitted vests can be donated to charities that support mothers and babies in need in Africa.
Materials
8 ply or DK/Light worsted yarn—a soft acrylic is best for both comfort and durability
4mm knitting needles
Abbreviations
k knit
p purl
rib k2, p2 to end
St st stocking stitch—one k row followed by one p row
sts stitches
To make (worked in one piece)
Cast on 44 stitches
1st row: Rib—k2, p2 to end
Repeat this row 19 times
Beginning with a k row, work in St st for 30 rows
Next row: Cast on 12 sts, k across 44 stitches, cast on 12 sts (68 sts)
Rib—k2, p2 for 25 rows
Create neck opening
Next row: Rib 21 sts, cast off 26 sts, rib 21 sts to end
Next row: Rib 21 sts, cast on 26 sts, rib 21 sts to end
Rib—k2, p2 for 25 rows
Next row: Cast off 12 sts, rib to end (56 sts)
Next row: Cast off 12 sts, rib to end (44 sts)
Work in St st for 30 rows
Rib—k2, p2 for 20 rows
Cast off
To make up
Sew side seams using mattress stitch on right side, or blanket stitch on wrong side. Sew in all loose ends.
Master crafting 
Where do we send garments.
Hi Trina
When I wrote this post my mother’s church organisation was sending knitted garments and blankets to Africa, but that was 10 years ago. You can probably find organisations in your area that will either send overseas or support mothers and children in local refuges. A friend of mine also contacted her local council and they were thrilled to receive a big box of hand knitted beanies!