Howth Vest Knitting Pattern by Sinéad Cahir: Superwash Wool, Steeking, and Braided Cable Design for Men's Garments

Howth Vest by Sinéad Cahir

Photo credit: model Peter Reynolds, photographer Sinéad Cahir. My Dad loves vests. He likes being warm without bulky sleeves inside his jacket. I had made him a vest previously, but my mother washed it in the machine & it was ruined. I set about creating a new vest for him that was superwash this time. I love Elizabeth Zimmermann. She has inspired me in so many ways that I decided to employ some of her techniques I had not yet used in honor of her 10oth birthday recently. I chose steeking using the “kangaroo pouch" method along with knitting in the round. This pattern uses an all over rib and braided cable pattern taken from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury, which is very effective & also very stretchy. SIZE For men's garments: S - 2X. Shown in size M FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Chest: 36 [39, 42, 46, 52] inches Length: 25.5 [26.5, 27, 28, 28.5] inches MATERIALS Garnstudio Drops Karisma [100% Superwash Wool; 120 yd/105 m per 50g skein]; color: #21 Gray; 9 [9, 10, 11, 12] skeins 1 24" US #4/3.5 mm circular needle 1 24" US #6/4 mm circular needle

NOTIONS REQUIRED

Stitch Markers Waste Yarn Yarn Needle Cable Needle GAUGE 28 sts/32 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch using US #6/4mm needle PATTERN NOTES It may be helpful to place stitch markers between each cable repeat, but bear in mind that the stitches move between repeats on rows 4- 7 & 12-16. M1L (left-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from front to back, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through back loop. 1 stitch increased.

PATTERN

Body

Using smaller circular needle, C0 228[244, 260, 296, 328] sts. Join, being careful not to twist. PM to mark the beginning of the round. This is under the arm. Work K2P2 ribbing for 2 inches, increasing 27[29, 31, 31, 35] stitches evenly in the last round using M1L increase. 255[273, 291, 327, 363] sts. Work chart until piece measures 16.5[17, 17, 17.5, 17.5] inches or desired length to underarm. Mark center front and 2 side stitches, making sure to balance the chart pattern in the center front. Beginning of round is now center back.

Armhole and Neck

Keeping in pattern, place 19[21, 23, 25, 29] sts on waste yarn at the underarm. CO 4 and continue. Place 3 sts on waste yarn at center front, CO 4 sts and continue. Place i9[21, 23, 25, 29] sts on waste yarn at the underarm, CO 4 sts and continue to end of round. 226[, 240, 254, 286, 314] sts. The 3 sets of 4 sts you have just cast on are the steek stitches, and will always be knit.

NOTE:

The side and center front sts you marked should be in the middle of the sts you have placed on the waste yarn.

Armhole and Neck Decreases

Continuing in pattern, decrease 1 st either side of the 4 CO (steek) stitches at underarms and neck as follows: Pattern to underarm (left back) K2tog, K1, knit the 4 steek sts, ssk, K1. Continue to 3 sts from the left front, ssk, k1, knit the 4 steek sts, K2tog, k1. Continue to 3 sts from the right front underarm, K2tog, k1, knit the 4 steek stitches, k1, ssk, pattern to the end. Work these decreases every round for 10[10, 11, 15, 18] rounds in total. 166[180, 188, 196, 206] sts. Continuing in pattern and knitting the steek sts, work until piece measures 25.5[26.5, 27, 28, 28.5] inches or desired length to shoulder. BO the steek sts and place all other sts on waste yarn.

STEEKING:

I use the crochet method of steeking, but you can also use the machine sewn method if you prefer. Crochet both sides of the 2 center sts of the 4 steek sts at the center front. Cut. Secure steeked edges using whipstitch on the wrong side. Repeat for both armholes. You will see that the center front has opened up nicely into a v neck.

FINISHING

Weave shoulders using Kitchener stitch.

Armholes

With RS facing and smaller circular needle, pick up and knit 2 stitches for every 3 rows of knitting plus the stitches you placed on waste yarn. Join, being careful not to twist. PM for beginning of round. Work K2P2 ribbing for 1.25 inches and BO in rib.

Neck

With RS facing and beginning at the left shoulder, pick up and knit 2 sts for every 3 rows plus the 3 sts on waste yarn. Place a marker either side of the 3 waste yarn stitches. Join, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of round. Rnd 1: K2 \*P2, K2 repeat from \* to 2 sts before the marker, work 2 sts tog, sl marker, K3, sl marker, work 2 stitches tog, continue in K2 P2 rib to end of round. Working in rib as established, continue to decrease 1 st either side of the markers every round until neckband measures 1.25". BO in rib.

To see my website, visit knitinc.blogspot.com. Pattern & images @ 201o Sinéad Cahir. Contact Sinéad This pattern is Copyright 2011, Sinead Cahir. All rights reserved. Reproduction and redistribution in any form is prohibited. For personal, non-commercial use only. If you have any questions about the pattern, or wish to usethepatternforcommercialpurposes,pleasecontactmeatknitinc@gmail.com.

Chart Key: