I just completed this vest, including the hood. The hood is the ugliest hood I've ever seen on a knitted article of clothing. Even if the shape of the hood was pleasing, the 2 strands of yarn make it much too heavy and uncomfortable. After I ripped out the hood, I proceeded to pick up and knit stitches from the bottom of the front left side of the vest, all the way up, around the neck and down the other side. Then I knitted in garter stitch, back and forth on size 11 circular needles until I had completed 4 ridges, then cast off all stitches. The resulting vest is beautiful with a very attractive band around the open front panels and the neck. I did not make buttonholes in the original vest, so if I decide to add buttons, they will go on the added band.