My Whirwind Weekend with the Yarn Harlot

Over the weekend I had the extreme pleasure of getting to take part in a knitting retreat with the Yarn Harlot, aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. There were 18 of us who got to learn from her, knit with her and laugh with her, and each other along the way.

We took three classes over the weekend, including knitting for speed and efficiency (in which she attempted to teach us to knit with one needle under our arms), grok the sock (where we learned how to knit a sock for ourselves without a tape measure) and knitting with silk hankies. That one was particularly fun because we got to take the silk cocoons and make hankies out of them, then turned others into a knittable substance. I’ve had some of these in my closet for a while and am glad to know how to use them — and what goes into making them.

There was also a more public lecture about the wonderful things knitting does to our brains, and a book signing at which the picture above was taken.

There was also snow, in May, for the second time in recorded history in Arkansas (the first was the day before). So there was knitting by the fire.

That project is a gigantic wool cowl (or, if I decide it’s too wide to be a cowl, it will probably become a pillow) made out of the Clara Yarn I told you about. It’s really lovely stuff, and was the perfect antidote to unseasonably cold weather.

I know we don’t all have the opportunity or the means to have such an extravagant getaway, but if you ever find yourself in the position to run away and knit for a weekend, I highly recommend you do it!

Next Pattern:

Last year I cleaned out my closet and realized that I had about 24 handknit sweaters. This knowledge hasn’t completely stopped me from knitting more sweaters, but it did get me thinking about places in my wardrobe where I might actually need more knit things, and one thing I noticed a lack of was knit vests.

I have a couple of them and I love them for layering when it starts to get a little warmer, like when it’s cool in the morning but hot in the afternoon, or cold in a building but warmer outside. I’ve already knit myself one new vest this year, and with these patterns I’m pretty sure I’ll be making more.

This chunky vest pattern from Daisy and Peace on Etsy is sort of the quintessential vest you think of when you think of knit vests, with a scoop neck and ribbed edges. It uses bulky yarn and is great for beginners since it is worked flat. There are six sizes available.

The Knit Purl Girl has another pretty take on the basic knit vest, this time with a higher, double folded neckline. The Semper Slipover is worked with a mohair blend and a wool yarn held together to make a DK weight gauge. The tops of each side are worked separately, then joined for working in the round.

Minimi Knit Design has another great take on a classic vest, this time with a v-neck. It’s worked in the round from the top down using worsted weight yarn. Sizing ranges from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm actual bust measurement.

One thing about all the vests I have right now is that they are pullovers, but this version with buttons is pretty cure, too. It’s from MMadisonMarie on Etsy, and it uses fuzzy, chunky yarn and has an oversized fir with a V-neck and button closure. It’s worked flat and comes in three sizes.

Or you could make this cute vest with an I-cord tie, from Nicoline Sofie Knit. It’s worked from the top down starting with all the pieces separate, then joining and working the whole piece back and forth in rows. It has I-cord edging, comes in six sizes, and calls for a combo of alpaca and a glittery yarn.

Svetlana Volkov’s Nola Slipover is made with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together to get a bulky gauge. It has a high neck and roomy armholes, with a slightly cropped body. It’s available in eight sizes and you can get a copy on Ravelry.

Knit a Vest with Cabled Details

Knit a Cozy Vest for Fall

Play with Fisherman’s Rib in This Fun Long Vest Project

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