It was love at first stitch. That explains why I just couldn’t put her down…
Védís Vest
Pattern: Létt-Lopi Vest, Ístex free patterns (links to .pdf)
Yarns: Reynold Lite Lopi / Berroco Peruvia
Needles: Size US 5 and 8 circulars
Knit completely in the round and not even one seam to sew! Does it get any better than that?! Also knit in eight days… and honestly, I could have finished it faster but I wanted to savor some bit of it… I told you I couldn’t put it down – especially once the yoke started. The colors – leftovers of Reynolds Lite Lopi from my beloved Aftur (and my first dip into the Icelandic yokes) and a recently acquired skein of Berroco Peruvia for the ivory portions. The colors came together better than I could have imagined. I think purple and yellow are a match made in heaven! 
…and just when we started to take photos, it started to **snow!**
If you are going to model an Icelandic vest, it really should be snowing – all about authenticity!
The pattern is easy and simple to follow. I totally recommend it. If you have never tried colorwork, I feel that Icelandic yokes are a great way to “cut your teeth”. They are knit with worsted or aran-weight yarns and use bigger needles, making it easier to see and carry the yarns across the back. With most traditional yokes, there are no more than two colors per row of knitting. The only consideration with any stranded knitting: watching the tension of the stranding to avoid the puckering effect. A good blocking can ease up some slight puckering, but you have to be conscious of it while you are working on the garment. With this particular pattern, and most Icelandic yokes, you decrease stitches within the colorwork patterning. The charts can be slightly confusing with the “no stitch” distinction. Since this was a .pdf, I noticed that my printer did not color the “no stitch” area properly, and when I started the ivory, my count was off. So, I got a colored pencil and went over the chart to make it crystal clear. You 
may want to do this too to avoid any ripping or miscounting!
I slightly modified the small cap sleeves with 3 rows of seed stitch to match the hem and the neckline. The pattern does not state this, but I felt that it finished the garment off better than the raw rolled edge of the stockinette. You could also single chain crochet for a few rows. I went down to a size 5 needle with the sleeve cap but still got a slight bell effect. It doesn’t bother me too much, but if I were to do it again, I would probably go down to an even smaller needle size.
I made the Medium – measuring 87 centimeters, approximately a 34-inch bust. The wool does have some ease, and after a light blocking to straighten out the hems and the armholes and even out the colorwork, I feel that I got a perfect fit. There are some waistline decreases and bustline increases incorporated into the pattern to add a more modern and fitted look. I do love to mix the modern look with the traditional motifs…
Wonder how long I can wait till I cast on for the next yoked garment? …I already know that it is not going to be very long… I am totally addicted. I consider this one a little warm up for the Vest-uary knitalong (Rav link) for February though… I will be casting on for this beauty – not a yoke, but amazing nonetheless.
Vest-uary… that’s great.
Should be interesting to see all the different designs people choose to knit. I’m sort of working on the Veste Everest vest as part of a spin-along, but I’m starting to worry I won’t have enough fiber, in which case I’ll just pick out a commercial yarn to do it in. A warm vest would be perfect in the archives. 
It’s so awesome that you captured the very little amount of snow that we got here in Maryland! It’s been so cold, you’d think we could get some snow with this deal.
Love the vest — great colors!
Very pretty, Lolly! I really like your color choices, and this does seem like a much more accessible first colorwork project than gloves or mittens. I’ll have to keep it in mind. Helpful post!
this is my first time at your blog and i LOVE it! the name, the images the knitting….oh my! beautiful job on the sweater right down to the colors – gorgeous, Ill be back
Its lovely!
You (and your sweater) are so gorgeous!
Lolly, I can believe how skinny you’re getting! Congratulations on your hard work. An inspiration.
How beautiful! I’m so happy you love the Icelandic style sweaters/vests, I have a cardigan planned for myself in this style but I have so many other queued patterns I want to knit, I don’t know when I’ll get around to it!
This is absolutely gorgeous, I love the purple colour and I love lopi.
You look so pretty!
This is such a beautiful knit! You’re right, purple and yellow do go together exceedingly well. I also love how you make such good use of your stash yarn. I’m actually a little scared to mix colors like that. You should give me some tips! I hope you continue with the colorwork. Your results are so inspiring and beautiful. xoox
Lolly, I LOVE it! I’m on my way to go print up the pattern now. I’m slightly obsessed with top-down patterns lately
I’m just getting caught up with my blog reading. I’m SO glad you are getting into the yoga training and all of that. Good for you! I’m so happy for you.
OMG! Gorgeous! Well done, you!
[...] last fall, I started thinking about vests. A lot. I managed to only knit one vest since then, but my mind hasn’t strayed too far. That is why Sarah’s idea about a month [...]
[...] to take pictures of it and blog about it. I did add sleeves and it does rock a bit. Now when I saw Lolly’s Létt-Lopi Vest I knew it would be perfect pattern for the blue Berroco Peruvia that Mike got me [...]
hi,
i really really like the vest that you made but i was thinking of altering it into a dress instead. would you be able to tell me how long it is, from the the neck to the bottom so i can try and calculate how much extra wool to buy.
it really is a nice vest!! im assuming its a lot lighter compared to an alfoss lopi made one?