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

Moving on to My Next Project

After knitting for several nights on my bright pink shrug, I was ready to move onto another color. As you can see, I have started knitting my next project. It's the Barbara Breiter cropped cardi vest. The yarn is beautiful with blue, teal, green, lavender, and off white colors. It's getting me in the mood for Spring and warmer weather, even though it's only 36 degrees outside. Brrrr!

Looks like I might be 1 ball of yarn short for this project. Oh well, I need to put in a yarn order anyways. :)

I hope you are having a great knitting weekend!

Something Came in the Mail Today...

Isn't this vest cute?
I found this cool looking pattern by Barbara Breiter on Knitting on the Net. I looked high and low for this Crystal Palace Meringue yarn at my local yarn shops only to find that it has been discontinued. I stumbled across Bargain Yarns and they had the yarn on sale. How could I resist? I purchased 4 balls of each color (pictured below). Yes, I couldn't resist the black yarn. I ordered the yarn on Sunday evening and it arrived today. That's fast service.

I did take a chance on buying this yarn. I'm the type of person who has to feel and touch the yarns before I buy. I am glad I took the chance. This yarn feels wonderful.

Crystal Palace Meringue yarns in Fall Herbs, Black, and Scuba Dive


I joined Ravelry last month. I finally got around to posting my projects there. I also learned how to setup my progress bars here on my knitting blog. I really love technology and learning lots by having this blog.


I also started my second sweater. This one is from the Better Homes & Garden Knitted Sweaters for Her booklet that I previously posted about. I'm getting in the mood for warmer weather and I just love this cheery Tudor color.

Basic Sweater from the BHG Knitted Sweaters for Her booklet. Knitting with Lion Brand Homespun in Tudor color.

You can see I'm getting a lot of practice with the Lion Brand yarns. Now, I can't wait to start knitting with the more fancy yarns I recently purchased.