If you've watched my podcast before, you probably know that I love a good hand-knit vest. And with fall in full swing here in Minneapolis, I can't think of a better time to celebrate them!
There are so many reasons to love knitting and wearing vests. They're versatile, perfect for layering, and can be worn across multiple seasons. Throw one over a simple white T-shirt, layer it with a crisp button-down, or wear it on its own when the weather is a little warmer. I just love them!
In my latest Where We Knit podcast, I'm doing something a little different. Instead of talking about my works in progress, I'm sharing an entire episode dedicated to vest and slipover knitting patterns, with a special focus on designers who deserve a little more attention.
With Emily from The Botanical Knitter hosting an OctoberVest knit-along, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to find some inspiration!
See all patterns I mentioned and more in my Ravelry bundle here:
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/oktobervest
1. Ode Vest by Olan Handmade
The Ode Vest is a cropped, oversized vest knit in chunky or bulky-weight yarn. It looks like such a quick, satisfying project and would be a fantastic addition to a fall wardrobe. One of my favorite details is the optional duplicate-stitch line running down the back. It's such a simple detail, but it adds something special to the finished garment. This is a new-to-me designer, and I'm so glad I discovered this pattern!
2. Hozuki Slipover by Fumiko Segawa
The Hozuki Slipover is a relaxed-fit, worsted-weight pattern with a cozy hood designed to provide extra warmth. As someone who works with young children, I can absolutely imagine wearing this outside on the playground. If I forgot my hat, I could just pull up the hood! I also love the split hem and the little details near the bottom of the vest. The green sample knit in DROPS Air is beautiful. It's casual, practical, and just a really fun design.
3. Livingstone Vest by Lily Kate France
Now, Lily Kate France isn't exactly a new-to-me designer, but I've never actually knit one of her patterns. And this one has been on my list for a while! The Livingstone Vest has a modern wraparound shape and is worked seamlessly in brioche. I've been wanting to improve my brioche knitting, and I think this would be such a fun project to challenge myself with. I especially love the little clasp at the front. It gives the vest a beautiful shape and can help accentuate the waist. I've already purchased the yarn and the pattern, so I'm hoping to cast this one on sometime this winter!
4. Matisse by Emilie Luis
I love a good stripe, and this pattern offers so many possibilities! The Matisse design has several styling options, including a V-neck and button-front variation. What really caught my eye was the crossover detail at the neckline. It's such an interesting design element. I also think this would be a wonderful stash-busting project. You could have so much fun combining different colors and creating your own striped version.
5. Dehana Sweater Vest by Olanre Studio
The Dehana Sweater Vest is a size-inclusive, worsted-weight pattern with beautiful texture and some really unique finishing details. I especially love the folded collar and the single buckle detail. It gives the vest such a sophisticated look! The orange sample is absolutely perfect for fall, and I love how the texture and trim work together. This is one of those patterns that immediately makes me imagine all the different ways I could style it.
6. Jasmine Blouse by Hyeonji Jin
The Jasmine Blouse is a top-down design featuring the sweetest little mohair collar. But the detail that really caught my attention is the keyhole opening and button at the back. It's just beautiful! I love those little finishing details that make a hand-knit garment feel extra special. I can picture this in a classic navy or a beautiful creamy white with a little mohair.
7. ASOL Vest by Anna Niemeier
This is a newer pattern, and I think it's such a lovely combination of classic and modern. The ASOL Vest is knit from the top down in sport-weight yarn and features a button-front design. I'm really loving all the button details we're seeing in knitwear lately, and this pattern is a beautiful example. The sample has a contrasting color around the neckline, which adds just a little extra depth to the design. I could see myself wearing this in the spring on its own or layering it over a crisp white button-down during the cooler months.
8. Pang Slipover by Maria Carlander
I had to include at least one pattern for the little ones! The Pang Slipover is an adorable DK-weight vest designed for children from approximately 8 months through 6–8 years. I think this would be a fantastic way to use up leftover yarn from other projects. If I were knitting for young children right now, this would definitely be on my list.
9. Valby Vest by Hanna Broghammer
This vest caught my attention because of its beautiful cables and thoughtful construction. It's worked from the top down and would be a lovely project for someone interested in exploring different cable techniques. The sample is knit using Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino, a yarn I can find at my local yarn store. I love the texture and the overall shape of this design. It's another new-to-me designer I'm happy to have discovered.
10. Tao Slipover by Lizzie Hester of Hive Knits
The Taos Slipover features an allover textured stitch pattern, split hems, and lovely side-seam details. It's worked seamlessly using DK-weight yarn held with lace-weight yarn and comes in 12 sizes. I especially love the green sample. Something about that color paired with the texture is just beautiful! It's amazing to see the different ways designers can take relatively simple stitches and turn them into something so interesting.
11. Dormice Vest by Homebody Handknits
This is another pattern that immediately caught my attention. The Dormice Vest is worked from the top down and features a European shoulder construction. I've been working on a cardigan with this type of construction recently, and I absolutely love how it fits the shoulders. The Dormice Vest has a simple overall shape, but the texture adds so much interest. I also think this would make a beautiful handmade gift for the holidays. Can you imagine it knit in a rich, hand-dyed red?
12. Knitonomy Pearl Vest by Magdalena Parker
Okay, I don't want to pick favorites, but this might be the one I'm most excited about! The Knitonomy Pearl Vest is a DK-weight, top-down pattern with absolutely gorgeous cable details. The cables really pop, and the whole design is just so chic. I especially love the orange sample. It's stunning!
For a project like this, I would want to choose a yarn that blooms beautifully after blocking and really shows off the texture. I've been knitting with Fiber MacGyver Shaniko recently, and after seeing how beautifully it blooms, I think it could be a fantastic option for this pattern. This is one I'm definitely going to try!
13. Cozy Hey Ho Vest by Knitting for Else
Last, but certainly not least, is the Cozy Hey Ho Vest. I love this one SO much! The texture, the structure, and especially those little toggle buttons are just fantastic. The sample is knit in De Rerum Natura Gilliatt, a yarn I've been wanting to try for quite some time. And the best part? The sample uses just three skeins!
I love the beautiful brown tweed-like color of the sample, but I think this vest would look amazing in so many different shades. You could wear it open or closed, over a simple T-shirt, or with a crisp striped button-down. Knitting for Else really knocked it out of the park with this one.
Join the OctoberVest Knit-Along!
If all these vest patterns have you feeling inspired, you might want to check out the OctoberVest knit-along hosted by Emily of The Botanical Knitter.
I love the idea of knitters coming together to celebrate a particular type of garment, and vests are such a fun choice for fall. Whether you're looking for something simple and classic, a textured cable project, or a colorful stash-busting knit, there are so many possibilities!
You can find Emily on YouTube as The Botanical Knitter and on Instagram.
Happy knitting!
Kristen
