Use the code ASHEN for 20% off this PDF until this Sunday, 3/9/25 at midnight EST. If you’re headed to the Nash Yarn Festival next weekend, look for the Ross Farm booth and give this yarn a squish yourself!

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 lace 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. Her booth at any festival is always full of natural fibers, and this is my second design in her wool. Last year at Rhinebeck, I picked up these deep smoky skeins and was hooked. I know this vest will be a classic I reach for again and again.

That said, 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.
• I plan on knitting a summer version next, using Magpie Fibers Equinox Worsted and can’t wait to see how that works out! I do promise to share.

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.

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.
Sizes reflect circumference around bust, and are based on final fabric. Shown worn with about 3”/7.5cm positive ease.

Yardages by Size
600(650,750,850,950)(1050,1150,1250)yds 550(595,685,780,870)(960,1050,1145)m
Worsted weight yarn needed.

Yarn Ross Farm Fibers Ashen (100% UK Wensleydale wool, 168yds/153m per 3.5oz/100g skein). Natural gray.

Ashen is a soft wool with a subtle drape and a hint of sheen. It’s listed as an Aran weight but knits on a US#7/4.5mm as a round worsted would. You can substitute either a round worsted or a light Aran weight fiber if needed.

Last Word works best in a solid, tweed, heather, or subtly shaded fiber 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 gives the vest a different personality. 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. I’ve given a few suggestions for substitutes above.

As noted earlier, I plan on knitting a second Last Word in a linen blend worsted weight yarn (Magpie Fibers Equinox) and will add my thoughts on warm weather substitutes once I finish that sample.