Wicked vest, done
So the yellow mustard vest is complete:
I’m a little shocked at how quickly it got done, but I am not overly thrilled with it. I know I waxed lyrical about the Silky Wool yarn in the last couple of posts, and it is still very soft to the touch, much softer after washing. Problem is, I over-stretched it during blocking, and now it’s a bit too large.
See those gapes at the shoulder and armhole? I also had to pin it at the back a wee bit for a good fit for the photo. Am a little bummed. Okay, I am actually rather annoyed at having blocked it in the first place. Now I don’t know what to do. Should I undo the seam and take in an inch at both sides? Or open the shoulders and just take off a few rows? Or just wait for the fabric to bounce back? It’s 35% silk, so I don’t know how much memory it will have. It’s not that bad, honestly, I am just less than overjoyed, is all.
Specs:
Pattern: Wicked Vest, available *free* from the Classic Elite Webletter, Feb 08 issue. No errors in the size I made (39″).
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, in colour Sandstone, # 17. The pattern calls for approx. 825 yards for the size I made, but I used less than four skeins – maybe 700 yards?
Gauge: The pattern calls for 6 spi, but mine was 6.25. I should have ended up with a finished chest measurement of abut 38″, but instead I have 40″ now. (See above!)
Needles: Size 4 bamboos throughout.
Modifications:
Many mods. I added bust darts (which do help keep the line where the ribbing changes to stockinette under my bust) and short rows at the shoulder, instead of stair-step decreases, to do a 3-needle bind-off. I also eliminated the extra neck, using instead the purl trim at the armholes all around the neck and button-bands as well. I am wondering if this unsecured trim (which is not picked up and knit from a seam) is also making the fabric gape a little? For details about those mods, see this earlier post.
In addition to the ones listed in that post, I also changed the placing of the button-holes. In the pattern they are placed 5 stitches inside the fabric; I placed them two stitches inside, because I didn’t like how the button-band stuck out in the pattern photos. I did get nice and affordable buttons, though, at my neighbourhood sewing store, Stone Mountain and Daughter. They have a fabulous collection.
Like I said, it’s not bad, and I will certainly wear it. The fabric is so soft and almost weightless, even though the yarn does shed a lot of those nubs, and it’s showing on my black shirt. I think this pattern will be great in a springy wool, to make the most of the ribbing-cum-waist shaping. But I guess I’m also not sure if vests really look good on me. I am attracted to the patterns, want to knit them and they get done quickly, but this is not the first time the end result has left me a little blah. I gave away the Back-to-School vest, and I haven’t really worn the Provincial Waistcoat all that much either. Ah well, here’s a final photo ( in my knitting corner!).
