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]
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