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.
Gorgeous! Yes, the purple and gold is a wonderful combination indeed.
It came about just beautiful!! And the snow was just perfect!!
It looks wonderful and warm, and great with your coloring!
oh, absolutely awesome! i want to make one so badly now but it is still 70 degrees here and it would be silly. or would it? it is a vest. hmmmm.
and can i say, you look so stunningly beautiful lately (yeah, gushing). i am so happy to follow your journey as you transform and find it inspiring for making changes in my own life.
Lovely! Have you seen the dresses in this style?
So pretty, Lolly. And you are so photogenic! You can tell how happy the vest makes you. Great job!
Wow, so fast! It’s amazing
Such lovely colors. It really inspires.
Gorgeous!
Wow – it looks fantastic on you. Fit, color, everything!! Great job!
It is so fabulous, Lolly. Perfect color combination! Hooray for yokes!
That might be the cutest vest pattern I’ve ever seen.
Isn’t it amazing how quickly these yoke sweaters knit up? And they’re so freaking fun! Love the colors – beautiful work!
The vest looks gorgeous, and so do you! You’re totally right; purple + yellow = match made in heaven.
- Emily (emilylime on ravelry)
Wow, it looks lovely! I always avoid the purple/gold combo only because of growing up in Washington (the colors of the Huskies) … it always seemed like a team statement. But now I might have to change my mind ….
Oh Lolly! It’s better than I even imagined! The purplish blue and gold match your eyes and hair perfectly! It is beyond beautiful. I really need to jump in and take my try at colorwork. You make it all so pretty.
lolly, this is gorgeous! the photos are awesome, too. you look beautiful in all of them!
It’s gorgeous Lolly and looks so good on you! So nice that the snow came just in time for the photo shoot!
Lolly ~ it’s lovely on you!! Love that it snowed during your photoshoot.
It looks lovely – I really like it!
Your knitting skills totally impress me! Very pretty vest!
Wonderful FO! I agree, the purple and yellow really set each other off nicely.
The vest is beautiful! I love how you look so happy in these pictures, too!
This is GORGEOUS and you look amazing in it. What a fantastic job you did. Brava.
LOVE LOVE LOVE that—————- the cutest vest ever! And I am in total agreement that as a model you are gorgeous and perfect and beaming!!!!
It’s gorgeous, Lolly! And, you look beautiful!
Absolutely lovely. I can see why you couldn’t put it down!
Beautiful vest! I love the colors you used.
It looks great on you and you look so happy with it!
I am in awe of the work you keep pumping out, the most amazing jumpers and vests and hats and…all in such short times. Amazing.
So pretty! I love the color combo! (And, you are looking SO good! You’re just an inspiration to everyone.)
It’s beautiful!
Eight days? You really were sucked in, weren’t you? I can see why, though…the vest looks great!
Oh that’s just gorgeous! Looks warm and stylish and very wearable – I think I’m gonna knit one too.
Another beauty!!! Yoke Queen!!
its beautiful!
Lovely! It looks really nice on you, too, and its a nice bright counterpoint to winter right now
How perfect, snow!! It’s a lovely vest Lolly – excellent color choices, and so well suited for you – I agree, purple & yellow are perfect! I’m working on some colorwork right now with similar colors, though I can’t take credit for the pairings as it’s a kit – I love that you came up with this one from your stash/leftovers. Beautiful work!
Long live the queen of yokes! You and the vest are both darling!
Oh, you’re evil. Like I needed another item in my queue! It’s lovely!
The vest is beautiful and the colours really suit you!
Beautiful! I have yet to try a yoke sweater, however yours just might sway me!
okay, you’re SUCH an enabler! I have 10 balls auroa 8, and some semi solid handpainted yarn….. I’m casting on tonight when everyone goes to bed!!!!!
It looks so great on you! Love the photos.
8 days!? That’s impressive. Gorgeous vest … I’ve been thinking about a vest, but have yet to find that “perfect” pattern. I suppose the only thing to do is to keep looking.
absolutely gorgeous!!! i love it!
It’s gorgeous – I love how pleased with yourself you look in the photos!
What a fun, flattering project! Purple and yellow *are* a great combo, and I love the way you continued to combine traditional with modern by putting a little raspberry pink in the yoke.
It’s beautiful!
another absolutely fabulous sweater by a fabulous knitter!
Oh, wow, I love it! It looks great on you.
Thank you so much for the pattern. I’ve been looking for a seamless sweater.