Friday 5 December 2008

Oh-no-Back-to-work Vest

I like to think that my internet diet has led to an increase in productivity in other areas of my life (efficiency dividend, anyone?), and I have a few FOs to post about to prove it.

Here's the first: my Oh-no-back-to-work Vest. Cos I don't wanna go back to work yet. Hopefully by the time its cool enough to wear it here I will be back in the swing of work.

Pattern: Back-to-school U-neck Vest from Fitted Knits. Easy to follow, logical construction (for me), and I even remembered to check the errata. There are a few for this pattern.

Yarn: Lincraft Balmoral Tweed, 5 balls. This is a weird yarn; the label has it at worsted weight, but it's quite thin. But it blooms really nicely when washed and blocked, and I made the correct tension with no worries. And the meterage is fabulous; I bought 10 balls thinking I'd need 8 and I used less than 5.

Needles: Knitpicks Options 4mm.


Size: 37" bust. I should probably have knit the next size up; I was a bit too hopeful about my potential for post-baby weight-loss. Possibly (hopefully!) by autumn next year both boobs and belly will be a little less....out there.

Mods: Just a couple: I added 5 cm (2") length to the bottom section. I like my tops quite long, and if I did it again I would add twice that. At least. I also did a three-needle cast off at the shoulders. Why seam them when I could do that?

Time taken: September 9th to November 18th 2008. There was a large break to knit the birthday jumper in there; all in all a fairly quick knit.

What I learned: how great knitting in the round is. Well, Miss M's birthday jumper was the first, but this has confirmed how easy and quick it is. This was my first use of bust darts, and they make such a difference to the finished garment.

What this really did for me was boost my knitting confidence. I'm becoming more intuitive in my knitting, I now have much a feel for how the garment goes together and what different parts of it do.

And I love the waffle stitch bodice!

Apart from the *ahem* firm fit, I am totally happy with this vest and I know I'll get lots of wear out of it.

Shame that's likely to be at the office. *sigh*

16 comments:

Leonie said...

That is a lovely vest, it looks so good on you, well done! Commiserations on the return to work, I am returning to work in late Feb as well, at least for me it is only one day a week. That I can handle LOL!

Michelle said...

Oh my - that's just gorgeous on you! If you have to go back to work, then at least you'll have something really lovely and new to wear!

Anonymous said...

You look fabulous!! I love that vest, I was always a bit iffy about the purl rings under the bust, but they look fine. I liked to wear a favourite thing on the first day of school every year: this could be your favourite thing!!

Anonymous said...

The vest looks great on you George! I like how the waffle stitch looks in Balmoral Tweed. I'm quite heartened by your success with that yarn, as I picked up a dozen balls for a vest for my dad, and was a little worried that it wouldn't be enough. You have restored my faith!

amy said...

I'm sorry about going back to work. If it makes you feel even a smidge better, my sil went back this week. Her baby is 5 weeks older than my Grace, and she considered herself lucky she got 13 weeks maternity leave all together. I wish I could make it so you didn't have to go.

Alwen said...

It is nice and fitted, like the book says. I remember going back to work after the baby with (ahem) considerably more chest area than I was used to.

Geek Knitter said...

Beautiful vest, serious bummer about having to go back to work.

DrK said...

fantastic! great pattern, perfect colour for you, nice work!i have nothing good to add on the work front....(and the word is warpte if that helps)

Rose Red said...

Looks so great George!! At least if you have to go back to work you've got a great new vest to wear. Really really nice job!! Fits so well!

Bells said...

I wouldn't change a thin. It's a great fit and I think if it's a little snug that's ok because it suits you. Beautiful. I plan to knit mine from the same yarn in the new year.

sweetp said...

Pretty! I don't think it looks too fitting at all! Lovely

Donna Lee said...

It looks great just as it is. It's a beautiful vest.

TinkingBell said...

Looks absolutely fabulopus!

I always add inches to the bottom of everything - and take inches off sleeves!

You could just wear it at weekends - and you'd feel less sad....

Five Ferns Fibreholic said...

WooHoo Georgie...good job! Very nice! And as for wearing it to the office, even middle aged men need to be exposed to wool fumes.

Denise said...

Utterly fabulous (and the vest is pretty damn gorgeous too!)!

Bugger about the impending return to work, though; time rushes on relentlessly, doesn't it? :p

MadMad said...

Oh, it's beautiful! I love it! And look how skinny you look already - I'm so impressed!