Needlecrafts - Knit, Wide Neck Pullover

Pattern image | Burda Knitting F/W 2013

Whenever I come across a design or pattern that is simple but fulfills many purposes, I immediately want to share it with readers.
The wide neck sleeveless vest or shell is perfect to wear on it's own with a cami underneath or over a jean jacket for added warmth in late fall and early winter.
Knitting with a double strand of worsted weight yarn is not new but what is new are the wonderful array of colours available to experiment with.
What a wonderful way to allow you to be creative and create your own marl yarn, which is really two colours twisted together. Think of all the possibilities, whether you like strong contrasts such as black and white or subtle tonal contrasts like pale pink with sage.
Don't forget trying a tweed or space dyed yarn with a solid. Yummy mixtures, only limited by your imagination. Work a solid with marl yoke as shown or design your own colour definition.
All you have to remember is to work two strands together.
Fully fashioned sleeve openings are featured in this pattern, not to worry as this knitting term is explained both in words and with a helpful video.
Two pieces, easy stocking stitch knitting. What could be better?
Read further for schematics, pattern instructions, helpful tips and videos on finishing that garment perfectly.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Vested Interests

Inspiration images | freepeople.com and Wilfred clothing Past post - Edgy Vests | Click here for post

This fall we are going to great lengths with the sleeveless vest.
Case in point are just two of the versions featured in stores for this season.
A slight twist on the traditional style vest is the turtleneck style, worn sleeveless and open at the sides.
Due to the popularity of a past post Edgy vests , I am featuring pattern instructions adapted for this style in bulky weight yarn.
Front and back are alike to make it an easy, quick project.
If you like the idea of a looser cowl neck, work the rib for the neck with larger size needles to spread the rib and make the collar long enough to curl.
Another option would be to finish the garment in a boat neck style by omitting the neck.
There are so many beautiful yarns for this season, you'll want to knit more than one.
Read further for schematics, pattern instructions, helpful tips and videos on finishing that garment perfectly.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Retro Rib Ticklers

Inspiration images courtesy | www.style.com and Pinterest

They say you should never revisit fashions from your youth but the granny is one style that continues to be part of our craft consciousness, whether in fashion or home decor. Granny vests, shrink vests or rib ticklers are an iconic baby boomer fashion. Even the most "grown-up" boomer remembers them fondly.
I remember all too well how older salesmen at the yarn companies talked about this pattern with reverence as there was a ton of yarn sold and newly minted crochet addicts were hungry for more patterns.
Magazines were filled with every kind of crochet project you could think of. What a happy, colorful craft world it was.
This vest as we knew it was tight and short, hence the name shrink vest and rib tickler.
Designers such as Christopher Kane and House of Holland continue to pay homage to past granny designs in keeping with the vintage, thrift shop trend .
Now Miuccia Prada has taken a bold step (she always does) and reproduced the famous vest in hopes of exciting a younger market.
Maybe you can revisit these styles, looser perhaps, a tad longer and in more sophisticated colors. Why not? Fashion is fun!
Read further for more vintage inspiration and a free pattern to make your own version that will tickle your ribs.

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