I’ve finished a new knitting project!

This one in record time because I had to have it done for a class sample. In the fall, I’m teaching a class at Heritage Spinning & Weaving called the”Back-To-School Fitted Vest”. It’s from the book “Fitted Knits: 25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter” by Stefanie Japel. I’ll review it as soon as I get a chance but in the meantime… here is the cover and an Amazon link.

I used Shepard’s Wool yarn in “Great Lakes” which is a lovely heathered teal.

The yarn is a worsted weight, very fine wool (merino quality, good merino quality) that knits like a dream and is my favorite – which is why you see it mentioned a lot here

I knit a size 37 so it would fit over a winter turtleneck and was bang on gauge. The sweater fits very well but I would have preferred a slightly smaller armhole. I will make adjustments when I knit it again.

The really cool part is that this vest is very “shapely”. It utilizes stitch patterning; 2 x 2 rib and waffle stitch, as well as bust darts to give the vest an hour glass shape making even me look like I have a waist. I love the end result and will wear it lots – as soon as the weather turns cold (all too soon here in Michigan).

But, I’m thinking a summer version in bamboo…

BTW, if you are curious about how to create bust darts, Sandi Wiseheart, formerly of Knitting Daily, did a series on the how-to’s. Check them out; The Return of the Bust Darts, Introduction to Darts, Bust Dart Placement,   Getting Started With Bust Darts, and Bust Dart Math. You may have to register with Knitting Daily to see these but the whole site is soooo worth it!

Deb H

The Cushy Sweater

Yes, it’s finished! I moaned about ripping it out, but Azapa by Araucania is such a lovely yarn to knit with; so soft and cushy, that I didn’t even mind. The finished product is based on a pattern called Emma from the book Araucania Collection Book #1 by Jenny Watson.

A Finished Object

I confess I cannot follow directions. I always think I have a better idea. I placed a cable down the outside of the sleeves (plain sleeves on a cabled sweater? Come on!) and I added the picot edge (they had on the hem and sleeves) to the neckline as well.

The Details

My version has narrower cables, a bit of stockinette stitch in between the purl rows defining the cable to reduce the vast amounts of reverse stockinette which is not my favorite thing to look at.

The Flip Side

I also did the cable patterning on the back as well as the front (my absolute pet peeve is a plain back with a patterned front)!  I think the finished sweater is worth the re-knitting.

It fits!

I am very pleased with the results and how well it fits – it’s shaped and that makes such a difference. I’m wearing it here with a skirt but it looks even better with my jeans as it is a longer, almost tunic length.

Cushy Sweater Sass!

All done just in time for warm weather, oh well!

And yes, I cut off all my hair – I’m still a bit in shock and getting used to it. My neck feels a little exposed, like the Ax Man is looking at me speculatively.

Deb H