Sunday, March 8, 2009

Cropped Cardi Vest - Completed


Here it is, my review of my cropped cardi vest. Enjoy!


Different views



Name of Pattern:
Cropped Cardigan Vest

Designed by:
Barbara Breiter

Pattern/Garment Description:
Cropped Cardigan Vest

Size(s):
Pattern includes sizes: Small (37"), Medium (41"), Large (45"), and XLarge (49")

I made a Small (37" finished bust). Length is about 14".

Yarns Used:
4 balls of Crystal Palace Meringue in Scuba Dive color (blue, teal, lavender, green, & off white). Total of 492 yards of yarn.

Gauge:
16 sts and 20 rows = 4" in St st.

Knitting Tools Used:
- Used size 10-1/2 (xmm) 24" circular needles (Clover Takumi Velvet Bamboo)
- Mini Kacha Kacha row counter
- Markers (reminder where I needed to decrease - personal preference)

Techniques I learned/used:
- Seed stitch
- Decreases: K2tog, SSK, and P2tog
- Knit the same as for right side, but reverse shaping (my first time!)
- Picking up stitches around the armhole and front and back neckline
- Sewing more seams

What I Like About this Pattern:
Uses less than 500 yards of yarn. Simple instructions.

What I Dislike About this Pattern:
Nothing to dislike.

My Pattern Rating (Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, Hard):
Easy pattern to knit. A quick knitting project.

Conclusion/Additional Comments:
The bottom border is knitted in seed stitch for about an inch. After that, I did not follow the recommended pattern, but used a garter stitch for the main body of the vest. If you follow the pattern, it will allow you to later, thread/weave a different color yarn (e.g. solid) through the front (every so many inches) to give it a plaid look. I wanted this to be a fast project and to first understand the shaping of this garment without worrying about purling here and there while decreasing. For a beginner, simple is better for me.

The armholes are knitted in 1/2" seed stitch. The front bands and back neckline are knitted in 1" seed stitch.

I think I'm getting the hang of sewing seams.

You can find this cropped cardigan vest pattern at Knitting on the Net.

Here are additional pictures:

Hand sewing one of the shoulder seams


Completed shoulder seams


Picking up stitches around the front of the cardi vest




A little bit closer look


2 comments:

Trina said...

I love these reviews that you do, they are really helpful :)

2BSewing: said...

Cool! Glad to hear that. It also helps me to remember what I've done. :)