Girl Who Knits - deep-v_argyle_vest

Redemption for Deep-v Vest?

noreply@blogspirit.com (Erin) — Wed, 17 May 2006 14:53:37 -0600

So even though I had written off my Deep-V Vest attempt as an unfortunate, un-wearable mistake, I still check out the knit-a-long to see how everyone is doing. I mean, I still love the vest and I am planning on making another one come fall but I do still love the the one I made. I love the colors and I worked hard on it and the stitches look good but...it just doesn't fit well. I really had no hope. That is, until, I read this post today on the knit-a-long.

It appears Marika had the same wing problems I did and I am cautiously optimistic about her fix. So do you guys think this could work on mine? Is there hope after all? I would have to frog the armhole ribbing and figure out how to re-pickup the stitches to the size I want it and then sew to secure it and cut the extra material. In my head it works but is there anything I am missing that I need to take into consideration? Should I try it?

I am relying on the greater wisdom of the blog world to give me advice. Of course if no one gives me advice then I will take that as a sign. A sign for what I don't really know. If you have any ideas for what the sign should be then you can let me know that too.

Soon I will have news of another...yes, another...project I cast on for and another...I know, another...knit-a-long I joined. I am crazy. But I also found out I have 15 days of vacation that I have to use before the end of August or I lose them so it looks like I have some summer knitting days ahead.

Argyle Deep-V Vest

noreply@blogspirit.com (Erin) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 22:50:42 -0600

Awww yeah, you gotta love my argyle mini-dress:

After 42 hours of blocking the vest is ready for pictures...but not for the public. Turns out, after all my mistakes, fears, miscalculations and close-to-frogging moments, I was right. I should have started over when I first got worried. You know the funny thing? What I was most worried about was the length...it is long, but I kind of like that part of it. I am 5 '10 and the length looks good. So what is wrong you ask? Perhaps you can't tell from the above picture—it is kind.

Meet...the wings:

Some people might call them armholes but they have a very distinctive aero-dynamic feel to me. I really don't know what happened. Did I make the wrong size? Was it my longer row gauge? I just don't know. I still highly recommend the pattern. It is incredibly well written, full of useful information and very easy to decipher. Just make sure you know your gauge and make correct adjustments. Mine didn't turn out because of my own folly.

Here are the specs:

Pattern: Eunny's Deep-V Argyle Vest

Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style, Storm (6 skeins) and Tide Pool (4 skeins)

Needles: 29 inch circular US 4's

Modifications: I didn't make any intentional modifications but due to not understanding the implications of row gauge I accidentally made it about 5 inches longer then it is supposed to be (it measures in at 29 inches). Read all the details of this experience here.

I am sad because I love it. I love the pattern, the argyle, the colors, the style...oh well. I am going to have to re-knit, I just don't know when or how I will avoid the wings in the future. I don't think I can bear to unravel this vest so if anyone knows a broad shouldered, long torso-ed lady who wants to tempt it away from me...I could be convinced to do a trade.

It's just not natural

noreply@blogspirit.com (Erin) — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 15:55:00 -0600

I spent Saturday morning, in bed, doing this:

Yes, that is me going against all natural instincts and cutting my knitted work. Steeking is fun...ish. I am still nervous that the whole garment will unravel in a mess of aqua and navy but it seems to be holding up just fine now. I am so close to being done with the vest and will hopefully have finished pictures up soon. I am beginning to feel better about the length but I can't really be sure until I try it on. I refuse to try it on until I am all finished. This drives sister/roommate Kara crazy because she desperately wants me to try it on. I think I might have put it on last night after I bound off the neck band but I didn't want to give in to her incessant pleading. It is my vest and I will try it on when I say.

In other news...thanks to zeneedle's post today, I learned about the Estes Park Wool Market in nearby Colorado and Kara and I decided on the spur of the moment that we are going. Yea! I am so excited! It will be my first of these types of events and I am excited to walk around and see what is there. I think Kara is most excited to take pictures of llamas so she can be a cool llama-pictures-in-her-post-blogger. Either way it is going to be great fun.