A new project

Having gotten thru my compulsory knitting (and not really doing any last-minute holiday knitting), I took stock and decided since I have a few small things on the needles and a bit of time to knit these days with the wintery weather outdoors, I'd cast on and start a somewhat larger project. 

I picked up a copy of Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits a while back and there are several projects in the book I am thinking about making.  In going through my upstairs closet (maybe I'll eventually get everything posted to my Stash Page in Ravelry - or maybe not), I re-found 4 skeins of Harrisville Highland wool that Susan gifted to me last year, and which I had overdyed to a deep mulberry wine/merlot-y colorway.

Not quite enough yardage for a sweater, but perfect for a vest, so I cast on some swatches and decided on needle size and off I went on the Back-To-School vest from the Fitted Knits book.

I think my favorite part about these designs is that you can try them on as you go.  That makes getting a good fit a lot easier (or at least less painful) than flat-constructed garments.  I went back and forth on the sizing for this vest, however.  I didn't want something super tight (such that I couldn't breathe or raise my arms above my shoulders), but I also didn't want slouchy and sloppy looking.  I eventually decided to go with a zero-ease size, figuring it will look tailored but not tight.  I picked the medium finished bust size measurement for this and it seems to be fitting just right.  Gauge looks good and I've actually made more progress than this photo would indicate (and the sun washed the color out of this shot; it's closer to the color pictured above).

Zipping right along as I am, I am hopeful I will be able to finish this up before the end of the month and have another 2007 FO!

All for now......

Comments

[michelle]

Love it! and the yarn is a wonderful happy color.

[margene]

Ooo, it's going to be so pretty and warm, too!

[Chris]

Lovely! And that snowflake stitch marker is adorable!

[Mary Lou]

I'm with you on try on as you go. I just finished what I swear will be my LAST knit flat and sewn garment. BTW that yarn you swapped is GORGEOUS!!

[cyndy]

What a great color to be working with at this time of year! (and from the sounds of it- you will be wearing it soon!)

[Margaret]

The color is wonderful! Great idea to knit the body of a sweater you like as a vest.

[Karen]

What a great color you ended up with when you over-dyed it! I have been making quite a few things in the round lately and am loving it!

[Laurie]

Just like that, start a vest, zoom in. I like the color.

[Beth S.]

Promising start! :-)

[Diane]

I've thumbed through that book several times and saw a couple of the projects in person at Webs. Time to put it on the Xmas list. Bummer about the ponies "arguing". Just found out Abby is pregnant, due a month after Fleur. It will be fun anticipating the actual births this summer.