January 16, 2010
Mario Sweater Vest Pattern
Block out the next two months of your calendar:
the Mario Sweater Vest pattern is ready!
The instructions come in one size, at a finished waist circumference of 40 inches. That should comfortably fit anyone with a waist size of 36–38 inches. If you happen to have different proportions, no worries. A plain knitting chart is also included that you can use in conjunction with almost any sweater pattern of your choice. If you need a bigger size than the chart will accommodate, just repeat the sky and rocks on the sides. A great place to find knitting patterns is Knitty. They have lovely patterns for women, men, and children, and they’re all free so it’s a great place to start. If you find a pattern using a gauge of around 26-28 stitches = 4 inches, you should be able to use the KnitPicks Pallette yarn in the materials list. Otherwise, you’ll have to find yarn of a different weight to use.
Download the Pattern
Mario Sweater Vest Pattern (6740)
You’ll need Acrobat PDF Reader, which you can download here: Download Acrobat Reader
Photo Contest Coming Soon
Coming up in March and April we will be having a photo contest in conjunction with GameCity for the most interesting, funny, or creative photo of the Mario Sweater Vest (amazing knitting skills not required). So hurry up and get knitting! More details will be coming soon.
Leave a Comment

K-L January 17th, 2010
So grateful! Thanks!
Austin Storm January 18th, 2010
Did you use Intarsia for color changes? I’ve never knitted from a color pattern like this before.
nocturbuous January 18th, 2010
Thanks for posting the pattern, now to find someone who can knit it for me :O
admin January 18th, 2010
@Austin Storm: Some of the areas use intarsia (the areas with larger blocks of colour, such as the clouds). Other areas where the same colour repeats within a few stitches (such as the black lines in the bricks) use the Fair Isle technique. Search on http://www.knitty.com for more info on these techniques–they have some great articles explaining various knitting techniques.
Elizabeth Burr January 20th, 2010
I just wanted to say thank you so much for posting this pattern. I don’t knit, so I won’t be making this sweatervest; however, I am dying to make a Mario quilt for my husband, and have not been able to figure out how to chart a screen shot into a pattern for my quilt. Thank you for doing this and posting it for free! If I get to make the project I have in mind, I will let you be the first to see it
Thanks again!
admin January 20th, 2010
@ Elizabeth Burr – I would love to see it! Send me a picture when it’s done and we might post it on the website. So glad you’ve found the chart useful, even if you’re not making a sweater out of it
Rachel January 21st, 2010
YES, YES, YES! You are sooo fabulous!!! Thanks tons, I’ll be linking to this. And hopefully tackling in the future!
suki January 21st, 2010
Thank you so much for sharing this…my knitting skills aren’t at
this level yet but hopefully sometime in the future they will be.
Norsie January 23rd, 2010
Are you on Ravelry? It would be so awesome if you would post this pattern on there! (I know a slew of people who would fall head over heels for it…I’m sure you could even sell it on there!)
This pattern is amazing!
Sarah January 24th, 2010
Thanks so much for posting this! Will send you pictures (and cookies!) of what my version turns out like… I’ve used a chart before, so this will be a good learning experience.
The Happy Seamstress January 26th, 2010
@Sarah: Definitely send in a pattern! We’re going to have a photo contest for the Mario sweater in a couple of months, so stay tuned.
Louise Ker January 30th, 2010
my 26 year old son wants it. He enjoyed Mario games as a boy.
Lacey January 31st, 2010
What is the weight of the yarn that you used to knit this vest?
sweater china January 31st, 2010
Hahaha, i’m sure my child will love it. Thank you for the pattern. Now, i just need to find the wool.
The Happy Seamstress February 1st, 2010
@Lacey: I used a fingering weight yarn (just a little thicker than sock-weight yarn).
Andrea February 16th, 2010
I would love to make this for my 7 year old who is crazy for Mario, any suggestions on how to scale the pattern down for a little man?
The Happy Seamstress February 16th, 2010
@Andrea: I would just find a sweater pattern that would fit your boy for the sizing/shaping, and use the chart provided in the pattern for the design. Try to find a pattern that calls for yarn of the same gauge to make it easier.