Getting ready for the Flock Vest knit-along: your questions answered
I’m getting excited about our Flock Vest knit-along, and I’ve decided to take the opportunity to try the same pattern in a completely different yarn. This time I’m using Skadi by Hey Mama Wolf, a denser, smoother yarn than Loch Lomond, so I’m expecting the fabric to have quite a different character. I’m also aiming for less positive ease – the extra room between my bust measurement and the finished vest – for a more fitted look than my boxy green version. It’ll be interesting to see how different the two feel to knit and wear!
Our Flock Vest knit-along starts on Saturday 21st November, and I’ve had a few questions about joining in, choosing yarn and getting ready. I thought it would be useful to put the answers together here.
Do I have to be on Substack to join in?
No, not at all! Substack is a handy place to chat, share progress photos and ask questions, but I’ll also be putting regular round-ups here on the shop blog, so you can check in without joining another platform.
You’re always welcome to email me directly with questions or photos of your knitting, too: info@allabouttheyarn.co.uk.
If you would like to join the group chat, just subscribe for free to All About The Yarn on Substack, then join the KAL Chat. I’ve set up threads for Introductions, Getting Ready, Doing the Knitting and Finished Vests.
If you do subscribe for free on Substack, you can also receive my published update posts by email, so you don’t have to remember to check back. The KAL Chat is there whenever you’d like to join the conversation.
Is this an easy pattern?
“Easy” is a bit subjective, but I’d describe Flock as straightforward and really well written. Very approachable for those wanting to branch into garment knitting. Andrea takes you clearly through each section and includes links to helpful tutorials.
I particularly appreciated the charts showing the increase rows. They make it much easier to keep track of the neck and armhole shaping for your size while keeping the stripes correct, especially helpful if you’re less experienced at garment knitting.
You’ll need to be comfortable knitting and purling and following a pattern, but you don’t need to know every technique before you begin. That’s the beauty of a knit-along – you can try something new with other knitters on hand to share tips, offer encouragement and help you along the way.
You’ll need your own copy of the pattern, purchased separately from Andrea Mowry’s website or Ravelry.
How do I choose my colours?
Start with a main colour you’d happily wear on its own, as this will set the overall feel of your vest. Then think about how much you’d like the stripes to stand out. Similar shades will give a subtle, tonal effect, while stronger contrasts will make the stripes a feature.
Above you can see the colours I'm going for, with the dark grey as my main colour. I'm going to play with the stripes and see which way round I prefer them!
The placement of your two stripe colours makes a surprising difference, too. A darker outer stripe can frame a pale centre, giving a crisp, delicate highlight. Reverse them and the pale outer stripe brings more light into the fabric, making a richer centre colour really pop.
If you already have your yarn, you can explore your ideas by wrapping strands around a piece of card. Wrap a broad section of your main colour, then narrow bands in the order outer stripe–centre stripe–outer stripe, followed by more main colour. Make another version with the stripe colours reversed and compare the two.
You can also use your tension swatch to try both arrangements. That’s what I’ve been doing with the Skadi colours for my next vest, and I’ll show you the results next week once I’ve washed the swatch and checked my tension.
Check quantities before buying, as the two stripe colours aren’t used in equal amounts. For sizes 8–12 in Loch Lomond, you’ll need two skeins of the outer stripe colour (B) and one of the centre stripe colour (C). For size 7, the outer stripe quantity is also close to the limit of one skein, so an extra may be advisable. Other yarns will have different quantities depending on their meterage.
If you’re choosing yarn to order online, I’m happy to photograph colours together to help you decide. Just drop me an email.
You’ll find my six Loch Lomond colour suggestions, the colours used in my green vest and the full quantity table in my original Flock Vest blog post. They’re starting points to spark ideas – there are plenty more possibilities!
What size needles should I use?
That depends on which size you need to achieve the pattern tension of 21 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm after washing and drying your swatch.
The pattern suggests 4.5mm needles for the main fabric and 3.75mm for the ribbing. We all knit differently, though, so the suggested sizes are a starting point rather than a guarantee.
You’ll need circular needles in both sizes, with an 80cm circular needles for the body and bands; larger sizes may be more comfortable on a longer circular. For the armhole ribbing, you can use your smaller needle with magic loop, or a shorter 40cm or 60cm circular, depending on the size you’re making. I used a 40cm circular for mine.
If you’re unsure which needles you need, just ask.
Do I really need to wash my swatch?
I’d strongly recommend it. Washing lets the stitches settle and shows you how the fabric will behave when you wash your finished vest. This can affect the gauge, and the washed gauge is what you want to match with that recommended in the pattern.
Make a swatch large enough to measure the central 10cm comfortably, wash it as you intend to wash your garment, then let it dry completely before measuring both stitches and rows.
It’s also your chance to decide whether you like the fabric. Getting the right numbers matters, but so does making a vest you’ll enjoy wearing. If your gauge is different but you love the fabric you’re getting, it may be possible to follow a different pattern size to achieve the fit you want – although that does involve a bit of maths!
Can I come and choose my yarn in person?
Yes! A number of local knitters have already said they’re coming along on 14th November, so we’re making a little afternoon of it.
Pop into the studio at Chesterblade Hills on Saturday 14th November, between 2–4pm. You can see my finished vest, play with colour combinations and explore other suitable yarns in the shop.
If you’d like to use our ball winder to wind your new skeins and settle down to start your swatch, you’re very welcome. Bring your pattern and needles and enjoy some knitting time with us.
My Loch Lomond stock is now topped up and the website quantities are up to date, so if you’re ordering online, we can start sending yarn out this week too.
When do we cast on?
We’ll start on Saturday 21st November and knit through until after New Year, leaving time for some lovely Betwixtmas knitting. There’s no pressure to keep up – join in at your own pace.
I will also be hosting a cast-on get-together at the studio on 21st November, 11am–1pm, with knitting, tea and biscuits. Places are complimentary if you’re buying your vest yarn from All About The Yarn, or £5 if you’re using yarn bought elsewhere.
Please book your place, including if it’s complimentary, as spaces are limited.
Book your cast-on get-together place
Whether you’re joining us at the shop, chatting on Substack or following along here on the blog, I’m looking forward to seeing your vests take shape.
Nicky