A Super Bulky Vest to Knit and Wear Right Away

In 2022 for Christmas I got myself a mystery yarn grab bag from Lion Brand Yarn, and in it were a couple of skeins of super bulky yarn. Because it was almost the beginning of the year and I was trying to challenge myself to use my stash, I knit it up right away into a hat and a little vest.

(This year I bought myself the yarn to make Linger from Knitty’s Deep Fall issue. Can’t wait to cast on.)

If I were using that yarn again I’d still make a vest but it would probably be Vest is Best from Crafts Everywhere.

This cozy, boxy, hooded vest has a kangaroo pocket (this time of year I want pockets in everything) and is super quick and easy to knit. I almost wrote “to knit and wear this weekend” in the headline, but I don’t know when you’re reading this or how fast you knit, but it should still be on and back off your needles pretty fast.

The pattern comes in five sizes and uses US 19 (that’s 15 mm) knitting needles. It’s rated for intermediate knitters, but it would be a good first garment project if you’ve never knit a sweater or vest before. It’s worked from the bottom up in the round to the armholes (which are really deep so actually a lot of it is worked flat), then you seam the shoulders and work the ribbing around the armholes in the round. The hood is worked flat with ribbing added after the hood is worked. The pocket is worked flat and sewn on. And the drawstring can be I-cord or whatever else you’d like to use.

It’s meant to be worn with 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) of positive ease, which is perfect for wearing over a long-sleeved shirt or a light sweater.

You can get the pattern from Crafts Everywhere on Etsy.

[Photo: Crafts Everywhere]

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Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]

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