In-between-ish weather calls for transitional tops. So we’re taking the librarian’s fashion cue this week with 9 of our favourite vest tops – a tank will keep you warm without overheating, it’s usually finishable with about a third less wool and time than a sweater, and it may end up taking you on an unexpected and long-needed bookshelf sorting journey.
Perec Vest by Orlane Sucche Beautifully constructed with Orlane’s super-pleasing details, the Perec has become a shop favourite. Brontë’s is in a 4ply+mohair mix. Mine uses Bouclelaine Angora. Vovo and Ulysse would work equally well
Ithilien Vest by Fable This one-skein wonder is just the proof we needed that rogue skeins of 4ply don’t always need to be shawls. Add a ball of mohair and you’ve got yourself a proper stylish stone soup tank.
Kirwin by Julie Hoover Sleeveless but not seamless, this is the pieced-knitter choice – as back and front are worked separately. A tank top that’s almost a poncho and can practically stand in for a coat through autumn. Beatiful tailoring and a beguiling knit+purl texture, I made mine in Gilliatt but Dehesa would be a great alternative for the gauge and stitch definition.
UraUe Plain by Natsuko This ingeniously reversible tank makes it wearable with anything. We reccomend a heavy worsted-ish DK like the Rauwerk for a woolly look or the Wool Dreamer’s Dehesa if you prefer a smoother fabric.
Dorotha Vest by Gregoria Fibers Clever details go into making the cutie collared vest . If you want to amp up the snuggliness of its waffle textured fabric we recommend a blown yarn like our super soft and airy Puno.
Myra Vest by Irene Lin For knitters who prefer their knitting with a twist, the Myra’s beautiful cabling gives you loads of detail to keep it interesting. We recommend a solid aran like WYS Bluefaced Leicester or Croft, or a robust worsted like the Dehesa or the Rauwerk.
Umibata from Amirisu A wear-with-anyting fit and an enchantingly maritime collar, this was a knit-at-first sight project for me. The loose stitch gauge was versatile enough for me to depart from the recommended super fine-fingering in favour of our heavier weight Guernsey 5ply. Probably my favourite sleeveless ever in the world.
Lorelai by Brontë Swannick Designed by our very own Gilmore fan and knitting super-hero, this one is the speediest knit in our list. Seamless, without any short-rows, it’s a cinch to make. Work it in a snuggly chunky like Fonty Pole or Malabrigo Chunky and you could have it finished in a week, yes really!
Vest No. 1 by My Favourite Things If vanilla is your flavour, or if you’re just starting out on your sleeveless journey, this classic is a great place to start. Do the scandi thing and mix some mohair with a DK, or keep it single-stranded with a worsted like Gilliatt or Dlana
