Pattern Scout
Pattern Scout: Dopamine for your Next Slipover
The Holiday Slipover by PetiteKnit was the first official garment I knitted and finished (emphasis on finished). You can check out my original post here.
That yellow inspired me in a way not much else does. Color has always had a stronghold on my creative process, so I guess it should come as no surprise that it inspires me to knit like a fiend.
I have been craving another slipover (you can also call it a vest, if you like) project so I can get my layer game on. Sometimes, you just need a little somethin’ to toss over what you’re already wearing.
I went looking for a slipover with a colorwork pattern to keep me extra interested. Here are a few that are at the top of my list.
Make Myself Flowers Vest by Vexnot Studio
I have been saving this pattern for a while now. I love the large-scale floral design—not your dinky and demure flowers of yore.
I love the colorway shown in the sample, but I encourage you to stroll through other Ravelry users’ projects. There are some incredible color combinations (I think a blatantly primary color combo would be super cool—red, blue, and yellow—so Bauhaus). This pattern also goes up to a 5X, which I love to see.
Moodiversary Slipover by Spektakelstrik – Mie Firring
Yet another one I have been sitting on for a bit. It used to intimidate me but now that I know how encouraged I am by a pattern of repeating colorwork, I’m all in. We could all use a few more smiley faces in our lives.
Forever Vest with the Mosaic Band by Karen Templer
Sometimes I crave a more simplistic feel to my knits, so this band of mosaic on such a beautifully designed vest nabbed my attention right away. I love that is more graphic than other colorwork out there and that green as the main color is chef’s kiss.
Fruity Slipover by HipKnitShop
Last winter I knit the Fruity Sweater by HipKnitShop and took some creative license with the color of the strawberries. I had a vision for monochromatic blues and I love how it came out. And it’s fine—you can call them blue raspberries if you must.
I plan on knitting the Fruity motif again, so why not make a Slipover version?! Lemons would be super fun and maybe I’d SLIP in a focal Lemon in a different color just to mix it up.
Holes Vest Pattern by DEGEN
I’m such a DEGEN fan. there is just something about Lindsay’s eye for color and texture that I love. Last year I started working on the Hole Sweater but did not finish because I was unhappy with my yarn choice.
I used TOV DK thinking it would be a super cozy slouchy piece, but I realized halfway through the front panel that the sweater would benefit from a bit more structure in the yarn.
Perhaps I will pivot to the vest version and use our Jane to give it the right amount of tactility. Bluebell with Persimmon holes would be oh-so-good.
Here’s to more vests, more dopamine, and more knitting for 2025. Happy New Year!
What fun!
I’ve been planning a slipover for months…. However there are so many patterns!
I heart Degen’s designs so bloody hard. Holes has been on my queue for freaking ever. This might be the kick in the pants I need to get on it.
If you are a DEGEN fan, why not put a 4-letter word on the front of your yellow vest?
Holiday Slipover was a challenge for me because of the enormous needle sizes. My hands just never took to the 17s and it was a slow going project that took me months to finish for my daughter. Meanwhile I know Nell Ziroli is coming out soon with a must knit vest in MDK’s own yarn, Jane. Can’t wait!
This is probably a dumb question, but isn’t a slipover or popover the same thing as a vest? Maybe a bit looser fit? Or am I just old school? I don’t see looser sweaters with a new name… Regardless of the name, I like the bold flower design.
I think part of what is going on with the naming is the vocabulary differences in American versus British English? I think vest may connote underwear to Brits? Not sure, but I’ve also seen them say tank top for what we in the US call a vest, and tank top means something different (more like a sleeveless t-shirt) to me as an American English speaker. Anyway, I like slipover because I’ve never looked good in a vest. Make that make sense!
Clear as mud, haha… Just another case of language variations across the pond. I’m in a Ravelry group with lots of UK members and I often need to ask what something means. As long as it’s not a slip-up instead, it’s all good, right? I think I’ll have to make one for myself. First you got me making dog sweaters, now it’s slipovers… Lol
I remember my brother used to hate wearing vests. That was back when sweater vests were popular for boys, in the 80s. But my now 23 year old son loves vests. Go figure.
Yes Kay, you are absolutely right. For us Brits of a certain age a vest was a piece of underwear you wore under your ‘top’. It was mostly children who wore vests, ladies wore bras but men might wear vests as an undershirt. Tank tops were knitted sleeveless garments quite commonly in Aran or Fairisle patterns. I’ve no idea what all of these items are called nowadays as times have changed and there is so much cross over between the two languages. Whatever they are called I love a vest/slipcover as part of my layering strategy for Hudson Valley NY winters.
Thank you Ashley! I love the posts with sweater patterns most of all. I would not mind if MDK brought back the Sweet Sixteen sweater voting competition thing that you used to have – that was so fun!
A second here for bringing back March Mayhem to MDK. I miss it!
love these!! Excellent scouting.
I’ve been looking at that flowers vest too. But terrified of intarsia
Lots of fun options! I have yet to knit a vest, so this is a great starting place.
Oh, fun! Is SLIP your 4-letter sweater word? Good one.
Ashley, you sound like a gem. Thanks for the suggestions, Kay, yes it makes sense to me! Styling, shaping, modern attitude, yarn quality, Brit name! I love slipovers and/ or vests!
There was supposed to be a period after “suggestions” and before “Kay.”…Duh
I had to do a search on “what is a slipover”! But only after I looked at all the lovely bright colors! I am just finishing the toes on a pair of neon pink socks so I am on the lookout. Thanks for these great suggestions.
In fact a vest may be just what I need! I have been a total failure at knitting sweaters for myself and it’s always a problem across the chest and shoulders.
Yes, a nice bright red layer for the swearing-in Monday! I like that