• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Knit an Easy Hooded Vest

April 21, 2025 by Sarah White

I have probably said this before, but I went through a phase when I really didn’t like knit vests. But I’ve come to appreciate them as a perfect transition garment, a layer that gives a little warmth where and when you need it but that’s easy to take off (and maybe even toss in your bag) when you don’t need it.

Vests are a fun way to play with color and pattern and somehow feel less serious than knitting a whole sweater. And they’re a great practice for people who aren’t ready to knit garments with sleeves (though I promise sleeves aren’t hard!).

I love vests with fun details like the Mila Hooded Vest from Irene Lin. It has the hood, as mentioned, but it’s also a cardigan style vest with big buttons that add a design element and fun patch pockets because everything is better with pockets.

This vest could double as a jacket over a sweater or sweatshirt, or wear it all day over a lighter layer.

It’s worked from the top down, with the fronts and back worked separately until they are joined at the underarms. The pockets are added after the rest of the knitting is done.

Mila uses worsted or aran weight yarn and comes in six sizes. The actual body circumference of the garment ranges from 40.25 to 63.25 inches, or 102 to 161 cm. It’s shown worn with about 7.5 inches/19 cm of positive ease, but you can determine how much ease you want depending on what you might wear it over.

I love how the darker brown buttons provide a little contrast on the lighter brown version shown here, but on the pattern page there’s also a black version with black buttons if you don’t want them to stand out as much. Or pick a totally contrasting color for extra whimsy.

You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Irene Lin]

King Cole Pulls Patterns for Hooded Baby Sleep Bags

25 Ladies Hooded Pullover Knitting Patterns

Knit a Hooded Bear Scarf for Your Little One

Hoodie Knitting Patterns

Next Pattern:

  • Vintage knitting pattern for 6190 Pram Hooded Baby Jackets
  • King Cole Pulls Patterns for Hooded Baby Sleep Bags
  • Easy Button-Front Vest Knitting Pattern
«
»

Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

Categories

baby hat Baby Patterns Beginner Book Reviews cardigan Christmas CraftGossip Giveaways Craft News and Events Free Kntting Patterns Giveaways! Hats Knitting Articles Of Interest Knitting Patterns Knitting Technique & Ideas mittens Quick scarf shawl patterns socks Sweaters

RSS More Articles

  • Etsy Spotlight: 1955 Baby Doll Nightgown & Bloomers Pattern
  • Baby Banner and Mini Album Project
  • How to Paint Melamine Furniture
  • Color Wheel Block Tutorial by Red Pepper Quilts
  • How to make a Summer Wreath with Hydrangeas
  • 18 FREE Labubu Coloring Pages and Digital Images
  • How to Make the Perfect Little Baker’s Apron for Kids: A Fun Sewing Project
  • Mr Fox Toy Crochet Pattern
  • 5 Genius Tips to Keep Your New Home Clutter-Free from Day One
  • All About Stitching on Perforated Paper

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy