Pattern: Deep V Argyle Vest by Eunny Jang
Yarn: New Lanark DK (100% wool, 120m/50g) 3¼ x 50g balls Ecru, 5¼ x 50g balls Natural Black, plus small amount of Blossom for crocheting the steeks
Needles: 4mm Addi lace circs and Brittany Birch dpns
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All done! After blocking for the second time and weaving in the ends, the vest was dry enough at the weekend to actually be worn and have photos taken (and you can see the lack of snow compared to a week ago). But before I finish my round up of this project, I have a story to tell.
Many years ago when I was at junior school (age 7 to 11) we’d have sewing classes, where we’d be given a choice of things we could make and then sit in class for probably an hour a week and make our “thing”. I remember one time that amongst the projects we could choose from where some gorgeous dolls. However, having already been labelled a not-very-good-sewer, I was “firmly encouraged” to do something easier. So I made a rabbit instead which I didn’t particularly enjoy doing and probably stabbed my needle into the fabric with my bottom lip stuck out as I resented all the other eight year olds who got to make dolls. And maybe I would have made a mess of my doll and that would have been considered a waste of good material, but I would have been attempting something I really wanted to make, not the thing I did make which was considered to be more my “level”.
I am reminded of this sometimes when I see other knitters declaring that a pattern is too hard and “ooh, I couldn’t make that”. Do they also have a bad experience holding them back? And I am just as bad at times, except I don’t normally broadcast it on the internet 
; I just hear the little voice my head reminding me that I’m not that clever really, and I should stick to something simple because it’ll be a waste otherwise.
So this vest is very much a knitted version of sticking two fingers up at all the negative things that pop into my head telling me to stick to knitting one colour stocking stitch. And apart from the fact that I’m the most stubborn person in the world (according to Mr B), that’s why I *had* to finish it.
So, to the pattern! I think it’s been fairly obvious that I wasn’t happy with it towards the end. It’s beautifully written and for a first venture into steeking a “real” project, I’d heartily recommend it. There are heaps of diagrams on how steeking works and how to apply a crocheted steek and what cutting does and so on. Although if even the idea of cutting your work brings you out into a rash, I do recommend you try Diane’s Steekalong. Cutting a swatch is far less traumatic!
What knitting this pattern has taught me is that I need to really look at the finished measurements before bounding in and starting to knit. Just because my boobage is bigger, doesn’t mean that I have a much longer body as well (sadly). And I am still not entirely happy with the armhole sizing. I feel the shoulders are now too wide and I should have reduced the amount of ribbing as it now gets folded over in my armpits.
The yarn, however, is a different story. I adored knitting with it, and even forgave the copious number of knots that were in a couple of the balls. It had just the right amount of stickiness and softened beautifully after washing so that, while it’s never going to be like wearing a cashmere blend yarn, it’s not nearly as rough as you’d think it would be. When I need some more DK or aran yarn (and maybe I will eventually, if I keep working through my stash!) I know where I’ll be buying it. 
In the end, I *will* be wearing this vest a lot. It fits perfectly everywhere apart from the shoulders and it’s warm and snug. And every time I look at it, it makes me happy because I tried something hard and it worked.
But of course now I have to decide what to do next! 
It’s beautiful! I agree that the shoulders look a bit wide but apart from that it’s perfect!
It looks fabulous Kate – I’m so glad you persevered and finished it. I’ve really enjoyed seeing the garment come together.
It looks great! And I think diagonal lines are so flattering.
I think everyone would benefit from having around them a physical “version of sticking two fingers up at all the negative things that pop into [their] head,” knitted or not!
Looks great to me!! You should wear it often – it’s gorgeous and very flattering.
congratulations!!! i’m so glad its turned out alright.
And i understand what you mean about stretching yourself..it took me ages to go from scarves to my tank top…
Yay! It was worth all the effort to get it just right, wasn’t it? It looks fantastic on you!
Thats quite an achievement and looks great. I find the thought of steeks terrifying. Glad you liked the New Lanark yarn, spun not very far from me, its good value and supports a great little indstry.
Second time’s the (almost) charm! Despite the interesting time you had with it, I think the finished product suits you. Well done for persisting (I’m not sure I wouldn’t have burnt the bloody thing!)
It’s fabulous.
And I agree with you about the ‘two fingers’ approach. Well done. 
Well done Kate! It looks great and was well worth all the effort you put in.
The vest is beautiful. Wear it with pride.
If at some time in the future you want the shoulders to be narrower and the arm hole a bit lower remember it is a steek. You would have to un do the black edging, re-crochet a new steek edge for a new longer and wider armhole, re-cut the steek outside the new crochet line and again finish off the new arm holes.
I love it you have done a great job with it and all the hard work show’s
What a wonderfully valuable experience! I felt a bit the same after my first steeking project – I’d climbed a mountain and proved to myself I could, as have you.
I’m so glad you’re proud of it and will wear it – that’s just marvellous because it looks great! I don’t think the shoulder issue shows up, even if you can feel it a bit. Well done!
It looks great
I’m so glad you stuck with it, it’s a project you can be very proud of!
As for next – don’t you have a Princess Shawl to make??
Ooh! Looks fab, and I still say you knit it up in record time. =D
On another note, I do see a lot of… hmm… safe knitting, I guess. For the same reasons you mentioned, I think–thinking that it’s too hard. I wonder why it is that so many of us have some sort of underconfidence when it comes to knitting… I mean, it rips out. It’s forgiving. Mistakes can be fixed. And yet… hmm.
Ponder.
yay for a good looking vest! i’m glad you stuck with it. stubborness helps in overcoming those voices in our heads – and besides, you never know if you’ve gotten past whatever may have held you up before. can’t hurt to try, right?
When I was ten a teacher tapped me on the shoulder and told me I couldn’t sing well enough to be in the class choir! not the school choir or a regional choir, but the little class choir. I think they’d be struck off (or whatever) for doing that these days. I think it had massive repercussions on my confidence (and lets not go into not being good at games either ;o). I was quite old before I felt able to join in properly with anything musical, or anything in a group of any kind. We all have the voices in our heads I think.
Anyway, you fixed it, and well done! If it had been me it would still be in a sulky heap in the corner, and so would I!
Congrats and well done on finishing and fixing your vest! I’m totally in awe, and very impressed. It’s a great vest!
It’s lovely! Well worth the trouble and it looks great!!