All New Homespun Handknit from Amy Clarke Moore

Homespun yarn has it’s own character. The textures, colors, and blends all combine to create something unique. No two yarns are alike. Their textures are unmatched.

Amy Clarke Moore, Editor of Spin-Off Magazine brings us this book, with 25 small (most use only a few hundred yards of handspun) projects to be knit with your own (or if you’re lucky enough to be the recipient of) homespun yarn. While not a spinning technique book, it’s chock full of 25 patterns like hats, shawls, jackets, scarves, soakers, bags, mitts, and my favorite, an Andean Alpaca Poncho for your favorite youngster. The yarn is unique, the projects are unique. Each project includes the information needed to create the best yarn for the project, or to even substitute the right commercial yarn.

All New Handspun Handknit discusses spinning a wide variety of fibers with a certain project in mind and knitting with handspun. In addition to basic yarn information (yards per pound, gauge, wraps per inch), each project includes details on the techniques used to create each yarn.

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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