TULIP LACE LINEN VEST

 There are a million ways to make this vest.  Once you understand the shaping you can do anything with it: long, short, pullover, cardigan, textures, colors, cables - anything.  Instructions start with the easiest version knit in the round in stockinette st with a k1, p1 rib.  Several options are given later.

 MATERIALS:

•    10 to 18 oz yarn, depending on size.

•    Knitting needles in size to complement yarn:  lengths 24” and 16”.  For large size you may want a 32" needle.

•    One 24” (or 32") circular needle 2 to 3 sizes smaller than above for rib.

•    Measuring tape, calculator, stitch markers.

GAUGE

Knit a 30 st by 30 row swatch in stockinette st (knit one row, purl one row).  Measure finished swatch for sts per inch.

G = stitches per inch (6 for me)

CALCULATIONS:

A = measure yourself around hip for full-length vest, or around chest for waist-length.  (37" for me)

B = measure yourself from comfortable spot (2 inches) below armpit to desired length at waist or hip.  (12" for me)

C =  A x G: sts to cast on (222 for me) 100%

D = C x .15: gusset sts (33 for me)

E = C x .3: top armhole (66 for me)

F = C x .75: neck sts before ribbing (166 for me)

H = C x .55: neck (122 for me)

I = subtract [D + D] from C, divide that number in half (78 for me)

PULLOVER

RIBBING & BODY

With smaller 24” needles  cast on C sts.  Do not join.  Work in k1, p1 rib for 1".  Make buttonhole on right side for women and left side for men as follows:  k1, p1, k1, yo, k2tog, p1, continue in rib across row, then continue until rib is 2".

Change to larger size needles.  Row 1: knit.  Row 2: k7, p across row to last 7 sts, k7.  (First and last 7 sts are garter st band)  Rep rows 1 & 2, placing buttonholes on one band every 1 1/2", until you reach desired length to armhole, B”.  End after purl row.

 DIVIDE FOR ARM:

J = I ÷ 2

Knit across J sts, place marker.  Place next D sts on stitch holder or piece of yarn to hold for gusset.  Keep original st marker in beginning position.  Cast E sts onto needle by turning work to back, then *knit one, slip knit st to left needle* rep from * to * until E sts are cast on.  Place a contrasting color st marker on needle.  Knit across I sts of back.  For second armhole place next D sts to stitch holder. Place contrasting color marker and cast on E sts, place another contrasting color marker, then work across remaining J sts of front.  There are four markers placed at edges of armholes.

 DECREASE FOR NECK:

Knitting term:  ssk: slip 2 sts separately as if to k; insert left-hand needle into the front of both sts tog, and knit them off as one.

Continue on yoke with stockinette st, working first and last 7 sts in garter st band and decreasing for neck as follows:  Row 1: decrease 2 sts at each marker, every other row, by working a k2tog decrease before the marker and ssk after the marker.    Row 2: work pattern around.  Continue until F sts are left.

 NECK RIBBING:

Change to smaller size 16" needle, and work k1, p1 rib same as on beginning rib.  Continue working decreases at markers.  Work until H sts are left.  Bind off.

 ARMHOLE RIBBING:

With 16” circular needles, smaller size, pick up sts from the E sts you cast on for upper armhole by knitting a stitch into each cast on st.  To prevent a hole pick up a few extra sts from space before the sts which are on the holder.  Knit across the sts which are on holder, pick up some extra sts from space before beginning of row.  Work k1, p1 rib for 4 rows.  Bind off.  Repeat same for other armhole.

FINISH:

Sew buttons to correspond with buttonholes.  Work in all ends.  Wash and block.