Sleeveless vests are one of my favorite wardrobe items: they can be worn over a short or long-sleeved T, turtleneck or blouse, adding warmth and style throughout several seasons. The essential details: a deep V-neck to flatter most body types, gentle waist shaping, and double cable panels (front and back) that incorporate pleats at the hem. Pleat fold-under and underside layers are tacked rather than sewn together, to minimize bulk and prevent distortion of the top layer of stitches.
The yarn, Classic Elite Woodland, is an unusual blend of wool and nettles. But certainly a number of DK-weight yarns would work perfectly for this vest.
Since I designed the vest, it was obvious to me when I saw the above photo (copyright Interweave Knits) that the vest is being modeled with insufficient ease-- hence the bottom left unbuttoned. This vest really needs a couple of inches of ease at the hips to look its best, and yes, it could be left unbuttoned, but if it were my vest, I would want to have the option of wearing it buttoned.
Anyway, there are a number of appealing patterns in this issue, including Ysolda's adorable Roisin hood/scarf, Susanna IC's Blue Thistle Shawl and Delancey Scarf, and Erica Jackofsky's First Friday Shrug--all (like the Rope and Nettles Vest) projects small enough to consider for holiday gifts. It may seem that the holidays are distant, but as we all know, holiday knit gifting warrants some planning ahead!
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