The vest grows!
Forgive the nutso color in this photo and please focus instead on the total progress on the vest so far!
It probably looks a little crazy to you so let me explain: The cable strip will be attached to the back at the neckline, but I didn't do that part yet because I am not sure if the armholes are long enough as-is, so as you can see, the back is on a stitch holder for now. When I write up this pattern the back will actually be done "backwards" from the way I've knit it: You'll start with the cable strip, put that on a holder, then pick up and knit the back down from the cable strip. After binding off the back at the waist, you'll pick up stitches along the side to work the fronts. There will be absolutely no seaming at all on this one! Very unusual for me but I'm really excited by the concept.
You can see in this photo that I've got about 4" of the right front knit already. It's kind of a crazy design but I am really excited to wear it! I like it when a concept takes over my brain and I can't do anything but work on it because I've gotten so obsessed. It usually means finishing a new design in record time!
I'm also totally in love with the cable I invited:
I needed a cable design that wouldn't have a visible "up" direction because the cable will run down the two fronts as well as across the back neck, and I'm way too into symmetry to ignore cables that don't match across the fronts (I'm sure most of you are with me on this one). I started with a version of an XO cable and then kept modifying until I came up with this one, which has a very long repeat but can be rotated 90 degrees without anyone realizing it:
Huh, looking at this picture really drives it home that no matter how experienced a knitter I am, my edges will always be messy. I already knew that but it's really obvious in this cable strip, isn't it! It's particularly bad on this project because the yarn is delicate and the needles are slippery . . . oh well.
For the first time in a long time I'm actually using a cable need to make these cables, because when I tried them without a cable needle they came out VERY flat. They're all 4x4 crosses and I guess that means my personal maximum for cabling without a cable needle might be 3x3 cables . . . it's kind of annoying to have to reach for that cable needle because I've gotten so used to never using one, but it's worth it to get big poofy cables that really pop. Your mileage may vary and I encourage you to cable without a cable needle if yours look good! And I'll be not-so-secretly jealous of your ability. ;o)
In other news, I've decided to make the most out of turning 30 and am throwing a party at one of my favorite restaurants. My life isn't at all where I thought it would be at this milestone but you know what? I'm happy! And that's worth celebrating with the people who love and support me. Right? Right!
2 Responses
Julie
wow, it looks amazing so far!! Can’t wait to see how it all comes together, it’s going to be amazing.
diane
November 09, 2010
that is really cool – love the interesting construction and cable!