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Sometimes things were meant to go wrong with a design & that is exactly what happened to the Solo Vest. Spoiler alert: Yes, it’s named after the one and only hunk of Star Wars - Han Solo.

I grew up on Star Wars. I was never a trekkie fan, so my heart has always belonged to Star wars universe. We had every single of the original three movies on VHS at my cabin, and we would watch them over and over again. My Favourite? Return of the Jedi! Carrie Fisher is such a babe.

THE INSPO

So what did this design START as? It’s honestly one of those ones where it turns out completely opposite of what you had hoped, but in doing so becomes its own little miracle. The evolution of this design:

I want to make a jacket
Oooh, what about herringbone stitch. That’s sturdy.
Hmmmm herringbone is not exactly easy to work, but it’s pretty. Maybe not a lot of shaping on the collar.
Ooooh, like a Jackie Kennedy - 1960s vibe. Yes. PLEASE.
Random knit night with ChiWei (1 Dog Woof). “That’s a cute idea, I could do a crochet version”. Coolio! Let’s collab.
Knits body portion. Hmmm too boxy, let’s do some armhole shaping.
*Tries on vest portion*. OMg - You know what? That’s pretty darn cute as is! I wonder if I should leave it…
Tries to add sleeves and the integrity in the design isn’t there. #Womp
“ChiWeiiiiiii, I can’t do this collab. I am sooooorry!”
I kinda love it as a vest. I feel like a badass. OMGAH - it kind of looks like I should be in Star Wars wearing this piece. promptly begins to pretend to shoot everything in sight *Pew pew*
Tada! The Solo Vest

What can I say, designing is a trip haha.

DESIGN DETAILS

Let’s get into the thick of it! With spring around the corner, it means it's time to pull out those vests and head for a walk outside in the sun. This herringbone vest is full of structure, and even though the dense stitch gives a boxier and more structured look (perfect to tackle the wind), don't be deceived. It's perfectly shaped in the upper arm to fit well to your body. The name? Is inspired by the hunk of all times – Han Solo, as it totally gives me a Star Wars vibe.

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THE YARN

Last year Alexi from Two of Wands paired up with Lion Brand Yarn and they created “Hue & Me”. It’s a size 5 bulky yarn that is really similar to their discontinued “Woolspun bulky”. When Alexi showed me the colorway “Haze”. I nearly fell off my rocker. It’s the perfect Knitatude shade. It’s like… an earl grey grey with a hint of lavender.

PICKING YOUR SIZE

This vest is designed with 2-4 inches of positive ease.

This pattern is written in 9 sizes – XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). It is suggested that you highlight your size, so you know which stitch count to follow. The model pictured is wearing the size M and is 5’7”, 142 pounds, and has a bust of 36.5” in circumference, for reference.

How to choose your size: Find your bust measurements below. The positive ease is built into the pattern, meaning the final measurements will be 2-4" bigger than that number.

These sizes are based off of womens bust measurements according to the Craft Yarn Council standards, but it is unisex. i would suggest finding your biggest circumference and choosing that size.

Knit in the round, seamless.

SIZES

XS – 28-30” bust
S – 32-34” bust
M – 36-38” bust
L – 40-42” bust
XL – 44-46” bust
2XL – 48-50” bust
3XL – 52-54” bust
4XL – 56-58” bust
5XL – 60-62” bust

LISTING DETAILS

DESCRIPTION

This pattern is knit bottom up and flat, and the whole thing is seamless! This vest is worked flat for the entire body until you reach the armpits. From there it’s split into three sections (right front panel, middle back, and left front panel- views as it being worn and looking down). Once finished with the vest you will use the three needle bind off to seam the shoulders. Weave in your ends, give it a block and you’re done! This vest is designed with 2-4 inches of positive ease.

This pattern is written in 9 sizes – XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). It is suggested that you highlight your size, so you know which stitch count to follow. The model pictured is wearing the size M and is 5’7”, 142 pounds, and has a bust of 36.5” in circumference, for reference.

Knit flat, seamless.

SIZES

XS – 28-30” bust
S – 32-34” bust
M – 36-38” bust
L – 40-42” bust
XL – 44-46” bust
2XL – 48-50” bust
3XL – 52-54” bust
4XL – 56-58” bust
5XL – 60-62” bust

Pattern has been tested in all sizes except for 3X & 5X. If you would like to test that size, please send me an email at knitatude@gmail.com.

DIFFICULTY

Intermediate
You will need to know how to cast on, herringbone stitch (video link in PDF), decrease, knit flat, bind off.

MATERIALS NEEDED

-3 (XS), 4 (S/ M/ L), 5 (XL/ 2XL), 6 (3XL/ 4XL, 7 (5XL) skeins of Lion Brand Hue & Me
-Or roughly 380 (450, 475, 530, 580) (675, 730, 775, 850) yards of size 5 bulky weight yarn
-Size US 13/9 mm, 40”/101 cm circular needles (60”/150 cm circulars would be suggested for sizes 2X+)
-1 X Size US 13/9 mm, double pointed needle (for three needle bind off)
-Scissors
-Darning needle

Shop here for the yarn I used: https://shrsl.com/2tqb8

TESTERS

How gorgeous are all my testers? You can find their exact yardages, yarn subs and photos below!

YARDAGES

This is the range that my testers used, please note to always check the yardages I have listed in the materials section.

XS: 362
S: 382-469
M: 446-474
L: 497-530
XL: 512-576
2X: 615-722
3X: NA
4X: 758
5X: NA

YARNS USED

Lion Brand Hue and Me
Lion Brand Color Made Easy
Cascade Yarns Eco+
Cascade Lana Grande
Knit Picks Brava Bulky
Paintbox
Loops & threads Charisma
Loops & Threads Eco-Cozy
Loops & Threads Camden Wool BIg