I am so excited to share this gorgeous vest with you! After making that mistake in the beginning, the vest was pretty smooth knitting. That doesn’t mean it was easy – far from it, actually, with all the intensive cabling and lots of stitch patterns in any one row – but it does mean that I didn’t have many problems as I was working on it. And maybe because of the time it took I love this one a whole lot! And I honestly am having the hardest time letting it go and shipping it on to California, where I hope my mom will love it as much as I do.
This vest turned out perfect! I knit it using negative ease, which was important as I think it looks much better than the boxy look of the original on the pattern page – at least, that’s how I like to see vests!
The color/yarn combo was perfect too. I love MadTosh DK (this is my third garment knit out of it!) and the Betty Draper’s Blue color is the perfect blue, IMO! Just gorgeous and a wonderful shade… which should look very pretty next to my mom’s pale skin.
I had a lot of fun knitting this one and can’t wait to hear what my mom thinks… I think it will look awesome on her and she should be able to wear it to work too, which is great as this is definitely one that can work as casual or work-related wear. Looking forward to seeing it on her… and maybe she’ll take a picture that I can share with you, but I doubt it… she’s much worse than me about getting in front of a camera, LOL!
Pattern – Wood Hollow Vest by Kirsten Kapur (project link | pattern link)
Yarn – Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Betty Draper’s Blue (rav link | store I used)
Needle – US4 (3.5mm) and US5 (3.75mm)
Cast on – January 4, 2010
Cast off – January 22, 2011
Modifications – I modified the pattern to knit in the round up to the armholes. I took out 4 stitches from the total count to make up for the selvedge edge. I knit the body to 14″ and the armhole to 9.5″ as my mom is petite. In actuality, I think this length would be something I’d prefer (I’m not petite) because I don’t like long vests. If I had knit as the pattern wanted, I’d have added 2 extra inches overall to what I made, which I think I wouldn’t have liked personally.
After knitting this one up I think it’s safe to say that it’s harder to knit a garment for someone else when they are the same size as you (well except that my mom is like 5″ shorter, LOL!) because if it looks good on you then it’s really really hard to give up. I honestly was seriously thinking about keeping it, but my mom’s very special 55th Birthday won out, so it’s already all packed up and ready to head her way… in a sealed box too so I can’t be tempted to open it up again and take it out. 😉
And btw, yes, I call my mom Momma, and, no, you can’t make fun of me about it! 😉
It’s gorgeous! That color is so stunning.
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!
Oh that is just lovely! It is so flattering on you, love the cables, stitch pattern and the color!
It looks fantastic on you and fits you beautifully! MadTosh looks wonderful in just about anything. I’d love to see a picture of your mother wearing it.
simply gorgeous! Your mom is very lucky.
Stunning! Lucky duck your mom.
This vest is spectacular and your mom is going to love it! It looks great on you and I would be so tempted to keep it too;)
Your Momma will just fall in love with it and
think of the heart you knit into it.
Hugs
Your Momma’s gonna have a great Bday!!
Oh it looks simply gorgeous and that color is stunning. I think I may have to add that to my queue and go fave yours on ravelry!
THAT is simply stunning! The pattern is gorgeous and intricate and your knitting plus choice of yarn really show it off! Your mom is incredibly lucky.
lovely! great color & yarn choice too.
what a beautiful knit vest:) i want one!! and i don’t like vests. you are very talented:)
Wow, amazing!! I love it! Your Mum is going to be very pleased 🙂
I agree with you about negative ease on vests, it looks much better I think, much more flattering.
Gorgeous, isn’t that colour just lovely? I have never been that bothered with vests but you have made me re-think!
The best presents are the ones that you have trouble giving away– lucky Momma, to have such a loving daughter. Tell her “Happy Birthday” from your blog readers!
That color is beautiful and all the intricate stitch patterns look well worth the effort. Only our love for our mom could induce us to give away such fabulousness. You love is definitely deep.
That’s absolutely beautiful – I love a good vest!
That’s a perfect storm of awesome pattern, yarn, and color. I think you need to make one for yourself! It looks great on you.
That vest looks AMAZING. Your mom is so lucky! You may have to make another one for yourself….
That yarn just GLOWS! It’s totally gorgeous with the pattern. I really like that pattern, except I agree with you that the original is too boxy. Making sure it has negative ease is a smart solution!
Lovely! It looks terrific, on you, and as a lovely piece of knitting. Gorgeous design, and a lovely yarn to complement it. I have some of the Betty Drapers Blues in Vintage waiting for me to decide what to do with it. Hmmm. Still thinking!!
Love the vest, in that color, and yarn!