Knitted Desiqns
Color in Motion Vest
The scoop: Beautiful hand dyed machine washable merino wool from String Theory in Blue Hill, Maine makes this vest unique! You will like the expressions in the gradations of color. For extra interest we've added cables. Sizes are Small (bust size 30-32 ins), Medium (bust size 34-36 ins), Large (bust size 38-40 ins), and Extra-Large (bust size 42-44 ins). Materials included: String Theory's $100\%$ superwash merino wool (4oz/280yds), 3 skeins for Small, 4 skeins for Medium and Large and 5 skeins for XL. Materials needed but not included: Size 5 (Us) and Size 4 (US) needles or needles to obtain gauge, blunt tapestry needle for seaming, cable needle, stitch counter, 3 stitch holders and closure of your choice. Gauge: 6 sts/inch on size 5 needles in Stockinette st., preferably over a 4X4 square. Finished Garment Sizes: Size Chest Length (S) 36.5" 21.5" (M) 40" 22.4" (L) 45.1" 23.2" (XL) 49.1" 23.8" Instructions: Before you begin, it is important that you knit a gauge swatch. This will affect the size of the garment. If your gauge is larger, then switch to smaller needles and if it is smaller, switch to larger needles. There is room in the pattern to adjust the length of the vest for personal preference. Check it against a favorite garment to decide how long you would like it to be. Sizes are written for: Small,(Medium, Large, XL) Highlight desired size to keep track as you knit. Back: Cable cast on 85, (100, 111, 117)sts on size 4 needles. Work in Seed stitch for 6 rows. Next: Knit, increase one st (Kf&b) every 4th st for 21x, (22X, 27X, 29x) for a total of 106, (122, 138, 146) sts. Change to larger needles and start the cable pattern. Use a counter to keep track of rows. Cable pattern: (a multiple of $8+2$ Row 1 (WS): Purl all sts Row 2 (RS): Knit Rows 3, 5, and 7 (WS): Purl Row 4 (RS): K1, \*sl next 2 sts on cable needle and hold in back, K2, K2 from cable needle, K4, repeat from \*, end K1. Row 6 (RS): Knit Row 8 (RS): K1, $\star\mathsf{K}4$ , sl 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle, repeat from \*, end K1. Work in the cable pattern until the piece measures 14.5, (15, 15, 15.5 ) ins or shorter if desired, ending with either row 4 or 8 of cable. Armhole Shaping: Cast off 8 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows (a decrease of 16 sts on each side). On the $4^{\dag h}$ row, after cast off, begin cable pattern at the \* on the row you are working. You will now have 74, (90, 106, 114) sts. Work the piece until the armhole measures 7.5, (8, 8, 8.5 ) ins or shorter if desired. Ending with WS row. Neck shaping: Work both sides at the same time in cable pattern. Work 25, (31, 37, 40) sts. Slip the next 24, (28, 32, 34) sts to holder. With a second ball of yarn, work remaining 25, (31, 37, 40) sts. Neckline Decreases: Working both sections at the same time, the decreases are worked at the neck edge and on every other row. The neck decreases are worked on the RS row. Note: The decreases are different for the right and left sides. (Remember to keep track of your cable pattern rows.) 1) (WS): Purl, no decreases. 2) (RS): There is a 2 st neck dec. on each side. Right shoulder: Work the pattern to the last 5 sts of section, then K2tog, K2tog, K1. Left shoulder: K1, ssk, ssk and work pattern to end. 3) (Ws): Repeat row 1. 4) (RS): This is a 1 st dec on each neck side and at the same time you will be decreasing at the shoulder edge. Right shoulder: K1, ssk, pattern to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. Left shoulder: K1, ssk, pattern to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 5) (WS): Repeat row 1. 6) (RS): Repeat row 4. Ending with 19, (25, 31, 34) sts on each shoulder. Place on stitch holders for 3 needle bind off. Right Front: Cable cast on 50, (55, 63, 70) sts with the size 4 needle. Work in the Seed st for 6 rows. On the next row: Work seed st for 10 sts. (place marker) then knit,increase by Kf&b every 4th, $(3^{r d},4^{+h},4^{+h})s\dagger$ $10\mathsf{X},(13\mathsf{X},13\mathsf{X},14\mathsf{X})$ to get a total of 60,(68, 76, 84) sts. Change to larger needles and follow cable pattern. You willhave a 10 stitch Seed st for the front edging with cabling for the body.
Cable pattern for right front:
Row 1 (WS): Purl to last 10 sts, continue in Seed st.(K1, P1 and repeat). Row 2 (RS): Seed st (P1, K1) the first 10 sts then knit across. Rows 3, 5, 7 (WS): Purl to last 10 sts, then work Seed st. Row 4 (RS): Seed st for 10 sts, then K1, $\star_{\pmb{S}}|$ next 2 sts to CN and hold in back, K2, K2 from CN, K4 and repeat from \*, end K1. Row 6 (Rs): Seed st for 10 sts, then knit. Row 8 (RS): Seed st for 10 sts, then K1, $\star\mathsf{K}4$ ,sl 2 sts to CN and hold in front, K2, K2 from CN, repeat from \*, end K1. Repeat rows 1-8 until piece measures 14.5 (15, 15, 15.5,)ins or shorter, ending with either Row 4 or 8 or cable. Work the WS row. NOTE: Keeping track of the cable pattern is harder on this side. There are several ways you can do this. You can keep track of the decreases and start your pattern factoring in the decrease. You can also just count the pattern backwards on rows 4 and 8, then see where you are in the pattern. Knit where you can't do the CN pattern.
Armhole shaping:
1) (Ws): Cast off 4 sts, at armhole edge, continue in pattern. 2) (RS): Pattern - no decrease. 3) (WS): Cast off 4 sts, continue pattern. Neck shaping begins: neck decreases are on Rs rows. 4) (RS): Cast off first 2 sts of Seed st, continue pattern. 5) (WS): At armhole, cast off 4 sts, then continue pattern. 6) (RS): P1, K2tog, Seed st pattern, (marker) at start of cable pattern - you will be doing your decrease here - K1, ssk, then continue in pattern. 7) (WS): At armhole, cast off 4 sts, then continue in pattern. 8) (RS): K1, P2tog, Seed st to marker, K1, ssk, then continue in pattern. (You now have 6 sts in the seed st edging and you will maintain this number in seed st.)。 \* 9) (Ws): Purl, then Seed st pattern last 6 sts. \* 10) (RS): Seed st,(marker), K1,ssk, then follow pattern. Repeat 9 & 10 until 25,(31, 37, 40) sts remain. Then follow pattern until your armhole measures the same as your back, 7.5, (8, 8, 8.5) inches. Bind off the 6 sts of the Seed st facing, place shoulder sts on st holder. There will be 19. (25, 31, 34) sts on st holder. Left Front: Cable cast on 50, (55, 63, 70) sts with the size 4 needle. Work in the seed st for 6 rows. On the next row: Knit, increase by Kf&b every 4th, $(3^{r d},4^{\dagger{h}},4^{\dagger{h}})\,{\mathsf{s}}\dagger$ for 10x, (13X,13X, 14x). You will have a total of 60,(68, 76, 84) sts including the Seed st edge. Change to larger needles and follow cable pattern. The front edging will be a 10 stitch Seed st with cabling for the body. Use stitch counter to keep track of rows throughout. Cahlo nattonn fon loft front: Row 1 (WS): Seed st first 10 sts, (marker), Purl. Row 2 (RS): Knit to marker, then Seed st. Rows 3, 5, 7 (WS): Seed st to marker, then Purl. Row 4 (RS): K1, \*sl next 2 sts to CN and hold in back, K2, K2 from CN, K4. and rebeat from \*. end K1 (marker) seed st last 10 sts. Row 6 (RS): Knit to marker, then seed st. Row 8: (RS): K1, $\star\mathsf{K}4$ , sl next 2 sts to CN and hold in front, K2, K2 from CN, repeat from \*, end K1 (marker) then Seed st last 10 sts. Repeat rows 1-8 until piece measures 14.5,(15, 15, 15.5) ins or shorter, ending with either Row 4 or 8 or cable. Work the WS row.
1) (RS): Cast off 4 sts at armhole side then pattern.
2) (Ws): Follow pattern - no decrease. 3) (RS): Cast off 4 sts at armhole edge, then pattern.
Neck Shaping begins:
4) (Ws): Cast off 2 sts, continue Seed st to marker, then pattern. 5) (RS):Cast off 4 sts at armhole, pattern to last 3 sts before marker, then K2tog, K1, then work Seed st to last 3 sts, K2tog, P1. 6) (WS): Pattern - no decrease. 7) (RS): Cast off 4 sts at armhole, pattern to last 3 sts before marker, K2tog, K1, then work seed st to last 3 sts, K2tog, P1, (You now have 6 sts in the seed st pattern and will maintain this number of Seed st for edging). $^{\star}8!$ (Ws): Seed st (marker) then pattern. \*9) (RS): Pattern to last 3 sts before marker, K2tog, K1 then Seed st. Repeat # 8 and 9 until 25, (31, 37, 40) sts remain. Then follow pattern until your armhole measures the same as your back, 7.5, (8, 8, 8.5) inches. Bind off the 6 sts of the Seed st facing, place shoulder sts on st holder. There will be 19, (25, 31, 34) sts on st holder.
Finishing:
1) Block your pieces before stitching together. 2) Shoulder seams: With right sides together, use 3 needle bind off to seam both shoulders (leave a long strand for later finishing). 3) Side seams: Use an invisible seam to finish edge. 4) Back neck edging - Using a size 5 needle, beginning at back right shoulder, pick up and knit 6 sts, then k2tog every 4th st stitch from the stitch holder, then pick up and knit 6 sts from the back left side. Next: Seed stitch for the next 6 rows. Bind off loosely in Seed st. Seam your front Seed st facing to your back Seed st facing on both sides (You now will have a continuous facing around the neck). 5) Weave in any loose ends. 6) Front closure- You can use a pin (or an interesting stitch holder) to close the top part or hand sew a zipper in the front - it's your choice.
Definitions:
Seed stitch (with even number of sts)
Row1: $\star\mathsf{K}1$ , P1; repeat from \* Row $z\!:\!\star\!\mathsf{p}_{1}$ , K1; repeat from \* ( Odd number of sts - First Row: \*K1, P1 and repeat from \* Next Rows: Purl the knit sts and Knit the purl sts) 3 Needle Bind Off - This is used to join 2 edges that have the same number of stitches. Arrange the pieces with right sides facing each other, with the needles parallel. Insert the $3^{r d}$ needle into the first st on each needle and wrap your yarn around the $3^{r d}$ needle as if to knit. \*Knit these 2 sts together and slip off the end of the two needles (you now have 1 stitch on the $3^{r d}$ needle). Then knit the next st the same way you did the first. You now have two stitches on the $3^{r d}$ needle. On the $3^{r d}$ needle, slip the first st over the second st. Repeat from \* until all the stitches are bound off, slip the yarn through the last st., leave tail and secure later. Skill Level: Intermediate Care Instructions: Machine wash inside out in warm or cool water, for best results lay flat to dry.
