Feb 29th, 2008
Vest update
I finished the Artisan Vest. Sort of.
All of the knitting is done. The only things left to do are weave in a few ends, block the vest, crochet the button loops, and attach the buttons.
I started thinking the vest might be improved by adding a seed-stitch edging to the armholes and neckholes (to match the one on the bottom). I did one armhole but am not happy with how it turned out. The result is too bulky (it’s on the verge of hanging over the top of my shoulder, like a 1980s-style cap sleeve—ew!), and I’m really looking for something simple and trim here. (Think Motel the tailor in Fiddler on the Roof.)
So here’s the new plan: I’m going to take out the armhole seed stitch and finish up the vest exactly as the pattern says to. My hunch is to trust that the people at Green Mountain Spinnery know what they’re doing when they write a pattern. And I think it’s likely that blocking will greatly improve the look of this piece (not least by stopping the edges from curling under).
If I’m not happy with the result, the possible changes I’m considering can all be added to the vest (once the buttons are removed—easy enough to do). My friend Katie still thinks the seed-stitch edging is the best option, and is sure that picking up fewer stitches and knitting fewer rows the next time around will eliminate that “ruffled” look you get when there’s too much knitting trying to fit into a too-small space. My friend Beth thinks a simple crochet edging will tidy things up nicely.
To be honest, I don’t really want to follow either of those suggestions. Not because they’re bad, but because I want to wear my new vest ASAP!
4 Responses to “Vest update”
Hee hee – instant gratification much? ;) How many rounds of edging did you do?
Aside from one scarf and one hat, this is the first knitting I’ve done for myself. So yeah, I want to wear it soon! :)
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I did ten rounds of edging on the armholes to match the ten rounds I’d done at the bottom. But the bind-off row on the armholes really bulked things up a bit, and the result there looks noticeably wider than what’s on the bottom.
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And to top things off, I just had a massive “Duh!” moment. About an hour ago, I read the section on finishing this pattern. I’d sort of read it before, but this was the first time I’d read it carefully. (I’d figured I’d save the careful read for when I actually got to that part, right?) As it turns out, the pattern already calls for doing two rows of single-chain crochet around the armholes and the neck/front. So I think maybe Beth ought to win a prize or something for suggesting that already!
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I guess I need to learn how to crochet now. Or get my husband (who does crochet!) to do the edging for me. :)
What can I say? I’m a sucker for the seed stitch, however a crocheted edge is a very common (and great) way to finish as well. Can’t wait to see you wear it!
I’m the same way….I’m going to knit Mariah from Knitty and I don’t even have the yarn yet I’m already saying “I WANNA WEAR HER NOW!!” Don’t even have the yarn…..impatient, me? hahahhaha yeah.