Last Word
Last Word is a simple vest with bold lines and open lace. A few details make this knit special, including the v-neck, centered intentionally in the motif for a crisp transition at the bottom of the opening. The motif is a combination of ribbing and eyelets, so when worked in a yarn with a bit of drape or memory, the fabric subtly skims your curves. Ribbing at the hem blends right into the overall pattern, and panels at the sides allow for easy modifications if you are between sizes or prefer a different silhouettes.
Last Word was specifically designed to showcase Ashen, a gorgeous 100% Wensleydale wool from Ross Farm. If you don’t know about Amy’s yarns and her commitment to sharing and saving rare breeds, you can learn more here.
This special small-batch yarn may not be an option for everyone.
Two of my testers added color (and kept the drape and softness) by using North Bay Fibers Journey.
Bare Naked Wools Kent Worsted is a widely available natural yarn that would be a great match for the Ashen.
Green Mountain Spinnery’s Mountain Mohair keeps the rustic quality and adds color
De Rerum Natura Gilliatt for a crisper version.
I would love to see this in a DK/lace halo combination in one of Sonder Yarn’s gorgeous colors.
The white summer version is knit in Magpie Fibers Equinox Worsted. FWIW: I used a US#6/4mm needle as I was aware linen/silk wouldn’t have the grip of the original wool and wanted to manage potential growth over time. My gauge on the smaller needles was about 20sts/7 rows per 4”/10cm, so I knit the 45, hoping for more of a 40. It came out perfect.
Last Word is knit in the round from hem to armholes, then divided into fronts and back at armholes. These three pieces are worked flat to shoulders and seamed. Once seamed, stitches are picked up around neckline and armholes and worked in the round to end. Lace instructions are both charted and written out. Notes are included in the PDF on modifying the fit in a number of ways.
Cream sample photos courtesy of Magpie Fibers
Scroll down for more details.
Last Word is a simple vest with bold lines and open lace. A few details make this knit special, including the v-neck, centered intentionally in the motif for a crisp transition at the bottom of the opening. The motif is a combination of ribbing and eyelets, so when worked in a yarn with a bit of drape or memory, the fabric subtly skims your curves. Ribbing at the hem blends right into the overall pattern, and panels at the sides allow for easy modifications if you are between sizes or prefer a different silhouettes.
Last Word was specifically designed to showcase Ashen, a gorgeous 100% Wensleydale wool from Ross Farm. If you don’t know about Amy’s yarns and her commitment to sharing and saving rare breeds, you can learn more here.
This special small-batch yarn may not be an option for everyone.
Two of my testers added color (and kept the drape and softness) by using North Bay Fibers Journey.
Bare Naked Wools Kent Worsted is a widely available natural yarn that would be a great match for the Ashen.
Green Mountain Spinnery’s Mountain Mohair keeps the rustic quality and adds color
De Rerum Natura Gilliatt for a crisper version.
I would love to see this in a DK/lace halo combination in one of Sonder Yarn’s gorgeous colors.
The white summer version is knit in Magpie Fibers Equinox Worsted. FWIW: I used a US#6/4mm needle as I was aware linen/silk wouldn’t have the grip of the original wool and wanted to manage potential growth over time. My gauge on the smaller needles was about 20sts/7 rows per 4”/10cm, so I knit the 45, hoping for more of a 40. It came out perfect.
Last Word is knit in the round from hem to armholes, then divided into fronts and back at armholes. These three pieces are worked flat to shoulders and seamed. Once seamed, stitches are picked up around neckline and armholes and worked in the round to end. Lace instructions are both charted and written out. Notes are included in the PDF on modifying the fit in a number of ways.
Cream sample photos courtesy of Magpie Fibers
Scroll down for more details.
Last Word is a simple vest with bold lines and open lace. A few details make this knit special, including the v-neck, centered intentionally in the motif for a crisp transition at the bottom of the opening. The motif is a combination of ribbing and eyelets, so when worked in a yarn with a bit of drape or memory, the fabric subtly skims your curves. Ribbing at the hem blends right into the overall pattern, and panels at the sides allow for easy modifications if you are between sizes or prefer a different silhouettes.
Last Word was specifically designed to showcase Ashen, a gorgeous 100% Wensleydale wool from Ross Farm. If you don’t know about Amy’s yarns and her commitment to sharing and saving rare breeds, you can learn more here.
This special small-batch yarn may not be an option for everyone.
Two of my testers added color (and kept the drape and softness) by using North Bay Fibers Journey.
Bare Naked Wools Kent Worsted is a widely available natural yarn that would be a great match for the Ashen.
Green Mountain Spinnery’s Mountain Mohair keeps the rustic quality and adds color
De Rerum Natura Gilliatt for a crisper version.
I would love to see this in a DK/lace halo combination in one of Sonder Yarn’s gorgeous colors.
The white summer version is knit in Magpie Fibers Equinox Worsted. FWIW: I used a US#6/4mm needle as I was aware linen/silk wouldn’t have the grip of the original wool and wanted to manage potential growth over time. My gauge on the smaller needles was about 20sts/7 rows per 4”/10cm, so I knit the 45, hoping for more of a 40. It came out perfect.
Last Word is knit in the round from hem to armholes, then divided into fronts and back at armholes. These three pieces are worked flat to shoulders and seamed. Once seamed, stitches are picked up around neckline and armholes and worked in the round to end. Lace instructions are both charted and written out. Notes are included in the PDF on modifying the fit in a number of ways.
Cream sample photos courtesy of Magpie Fibers
Scroll down for more details.
Yarn: Ross Farm Fibers Ashen (100% UK Wensleydale wool, 168yds/153m per 3.5oz/100g skein). Sample shown in natural gray.
If substituting yarn, swatch in pattern to check gauge, to familiarize yourself with the lace motif, and to make sure the pattern shows up well in your yarn. You can substitute either a nice, round worsted or a light aran weight yarn if needed. Last Word works best in a solid, tweed, heather, or subtly shaded yarn that knits to gauge. It was designed to show off a deep color, so this is gorgeous in dark shades. A bright color or a soft halo would give the vest a different personality and also be beautiful. The added drape of the Wensleydale allows the rib of the motif to subtly skim the body when worn with a bit of ease, but you can choose a yarn with less drape if preferred.
Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rounds/rows per 4”/10cm at ribbed hem and in lace texture, 20 sts and 24 rounds/rows in 1x1 rib at armhole and neckline. Gauge based on final blocked fabric.
Needles:US#7/4.5mm needles, or size to get gauge. I suggest long circulars for the body and V-neck ribbing and shorter circulars for armhole ribbing.
Sizes:
36(40.5,45,49.25,53.75)(59,63.5,68)”
91.5(102.75,114.25,125,136.5)(149.75,161.25,172.75)cm
For fit shown, I suggest about 3”/7.5cm of positive ease.
Yardage:
600(650,750,850,950)(1050,1150,1250)yds
550(595,685,780,870)(960,1050,1145)m