Talia vest - Spring 2008

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by SweaterBabe When I need a slimming pick-me-up outfit, I reach for something fitted, something black, something with gorgeous detailing that will make me feel instantly more chic. Finding nothing in my closet that met these lofty needs, I decided to create this shapely knit vest. It's all about the curves and detailing (and no seams!). This vest is knit from the bottom up in one piece, including the button bands, starting with a sexy, curvy scroll lace border. The lace stitch naturally creates the pretty scalloped hem. The stitches are then decreased in three stages to get the beautiful, tiered effect that leads into the nipped in waist. The curvy scroll lace is continued up the front and ends with the open, u-shaped neckline (great for wearing with all sorts of tops and designed to flatter). Arm and neck borders are worked in garter stitch with decreases at the underarm for the best fit and tapering at the front top border corners to keep with the curvy theme. The resulting fit is ultra flattering whether it's worn casually open or closed like a fitted corset. I love this vest with a flirty blouse and dark skirt for a night out, or over a long-sleeve tee and jeans. It's the perfect go-to piece to fill the void in my closet.
model and photos: Katherine Lee


SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size S)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches Length: 26.25[26.25, 26.25, 27.5, 27.5, 29.5, 29.5] inches

MATERIALS
Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted [85% Wool/15% Mohair; 190yd/173m per 50g skein]; color: M-05: Onyx; 3[3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6] skeins Recommended needle size: 1 US #9/5.5mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer 1 US #9/5.5mm circular needle, 20 inches or shorter [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique] Stitch markers Stitch holder or waste yarn Tapestry needle 4 buttons, 1.25 inches in diameter Sewing needle and thread

GAUGE
16 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]
Note: When working a [yo] on WS of work, bring yarn between needles to back of work, then over right needle to front of work before purling next st. On the following row, k this st through its back loop, so that the eyelet formed by the [yo] remains open. SKP: Sl 1 knitwise, k1, pass slipped stitch over. M1p: Make 1 purl stitch: Insert left needle, from back to front, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; purl this stitch. (Stitch will be twisted.) Scroll Lace Pattern (Worked over a multiple of 10 sts + 2): Row 1 [RS]: K1, [yo, k8, k2tog] to last st, k1. Row 2 [WS]: P1, [p2tog, p7, yo, p1] to last st, p1. Row 3 [RS]: K1, [k2, yo, k6, k2tog] to last st, k1. Row 4 [WS]: P1, [p2tog, p5, yo, p3] to last st, p1. Row 5 [RS]: K1, [k4, yo, k4, k2tog] to last st, k1. Row 6 [WS]: P1, [p2tog, p3, yo, p5] to last st, p1. Row 7 [RS]: K1, [k6, yo, k2, k2tog] to last st, k1. Row 8 [WS]: P1, [p2tog, p1, yo, p7] to last st, p1. Row 9 [RS]: K1, [k8, yo, k2tog] to last st, k1. Row 10 [WS]: P1, [yo, p8, p2tog tbl] to last st, p1. Row 11 [RS]: K1, [SKP, k7, yo, k1] to last st, k1. Row 12 [WS]: P1, [p2, yo, p6, p2tog tbl] to last st, p1. Row 13 [RS]: K1, [SKP, k5, yo, k3] to last st, k1. Row 14 [WS]: P1, [p4, yo, p4, p2tog tbl] to last st, p1. Row 15 [RS]: K1, [SKP, k3, yo, k5] to last st, k1. Row 16 [WS]: P1, [p6, yo, p2, p2tog tbl] to last st, p1. Row 17 [RS]: K1, [SKP, k1, yo, k7] to last st, k1. Row 18 [WS]: P1, [p8, yo, p2tog tbl] to last st, p1. Repeat these 18 rows for pattern. Shaping Note: Within the lace pattern, each [yo] is paired with a decrease. When decreasing at the neckline edge, be sure to keep the lace pattern correct. Do not work a [yo] if there are not enough sts to work its accompanying decrease.

DIRECTIONS
LOWER BODY Lace Border: Using long circular needle, CO 148[168, 188, 208, 228, 258, 278] sts. K 3 rows. Next Row [RS]: K8, place marker, work first row of Scroll Lace Pattern over next 132[152, 172, 192, 212, 242, 262] sts (to last 8 sts), place marker, k8. Maintain 8 sts at each edge in garter st. These garter st bands will form button and buttonhole bands. Work 9 rows in pattern. Buttonhole Row [RS]: K4, yo, SKP, k2, work in pattern as set to last marker, k8. Work 7 rows in pattern. 18 rows of Scroll Lace Pattern have been worked. Lower border is complete. From this point, the 12 sts next to each garter st band will be worked in Scroll Lace Pattern as set, forming lace panels at the front of the vest. In the next row, markers will be placed to indicate the edges of these panels. First Waist Decrease Row [RS]: K8, work 12 sts in pattern, place marker, k11[6, 11, 0, 6, 16, 4], [k2tog, k2(3, 3, 4, 4, 3, 4)] 22[24, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39] times, k9[2, 7, 0, 2, 12, 0], place marker, work 12 sts in pattern, k8. 126[144, 162, 180, 198, 220, 239] sts. Next Row: K8, work in pattern to next marker, k to next marker, work in pattern to last marker, k8. Repeat this row 3 times more. 2 garter st ridges have been formed on RS of work. Work 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15] rows in pattern, working sts between second and third markers in stockinette st and ending with a WS row. Work Buttonhole Row. Work 1 more row in pattern. Second Waist Decrease Row [RS]: K8, work in pattern to second marker, k4[8, 2, 7, 11, 7, 9], [k2tog, k2(2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3)] 20[22, 24, 26, 28, 34, 37] times, k2[8, 0, 3, 7, 3, 5], work in pattern to last marker, k8. 106[122, 138, 154, 170, 186, 202] sts. Next Row: K8, work in pattern to next marker, k to next marker, work in pattern to last marker, k8. Repeat this row 3 times more. 2 garter st ridges have been formed on RS of work. Work 13 rows in pattern, working sts between second and third markers in stockinette st and ending with a WS row. Third Waist Decrease Row [RS]: K8, work in pattern to second marker, k20[26, 31, 36, 41, 47, 52], k2tog, k22[26, 32, 38, 44, 48, 54], k2tog, k20[26, 31, 36, 41, 47, 52], work in pattern to last marker, k8. 104[120, 136, 152, 168, 184, 200] sts. Waistband: Work 3 rows, knitting sts between second and third markers to form first 2 garter st ridges of waistband. Work Buttonhole Row. Work 3 more rows, knitting sts between second and third markers to complete a total of 4 garter st ridges for waistband. First Bust Increase Row [RS]: K8, work in pattern to second marker, k7[11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31], m1, k1, place marker, k1, m1, k46[54, 62, 70, 78, 86, 94], m1, k1, place marker, k1, m1, k7[11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31], work in pattern to last marker, k8. 108[124, 140, 156, 172, 188, 204] sts. From this point, work sts between second and fifth markers in stockinette st. Work 4 rows in pattern. Second Bust Increase Row [WS]: K8, work in pattern to second marker, [p to 1 st before next marker, m1p, p1, slip marker, p1, m1p] twice, p to fifth marker, work in pattern to last marker, k8. 112[128, 144, 160, 176, 192, 208] sts. Work 4 rows in pattern. Third Bust Increase Row [RS]: K8, work in pattern to second marker, [k to 1 st before next marker, m1, k1, slip marker, k1, m1] twice, k to fifth marker, work in pattern to last marker, k8. 116[132, 148, 164, 180, 196, 212] sts. Repeat the last 10 rows once more; for sizes XS, S, and M only, work buttonhole at beginning of last increase row (as for Buttonhole Row). 124[140, 156, 172, 188, 204, 220] sts. Sizes XS, S, M Only: Work 4 rows in pattern, then repeat Second Bust Increase Row. AT THE SAME TIME, begin neckline shaping on the fourth of these five rows; last waist increase row will be worked on second row of neckline shaping. Sizes L, 1X Only: Work 1 row in pattern. Work Buttonhole Row. Work 2 rows in pattern. Repeat Second Bust Increase Row. -[-, -, 176, 192, -, -] sts. Sizes 2X, 3X Only: Work 3 rows in pattern. Work Buttonhole Row. Repeat Second Bust Increase Row. -[-, -, -, -, 208, 224] sts. Work 2 rows in pattern. All Sizes: You will have just completed a WS row. Begin neckline shaping as follows. Remove markers as necessary; see Pattern Notes about shaping within lace pattern. Shape Neckline: BO 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (Sizes XS, S and M will have just completed the last bust increase row.) 116[130, 144, 158, 172, 186, 200] sts. Next Row [RS]: BO 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, work in pattern to end. Next Row [WS]: Using short needle, BO 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, work in pattern to side marker; 24[26, 28, 30, 32, 35, 38] sts on short needle. Remove marker and leave remaining sts on hold on long needle. Left front will be worked back and forth over sts on short needle. Work measures 17[17, 17, 18.25, 18.25, 19.25, 19.25] inches. LEFT FRONT Row 1 [RS]: BO 2[3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] sts, work in pattern to last 3 sts, SKP, k1. 21[22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30] sts. Row 2 [WS]: P1, p2tog tbl, work in pattern to end. Row 3 [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in pattern to last 3 sts, SKP, k1. Row 4 [WS]: P1, p2tog tbl, work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. Row 5 [RS]: Work as for Row 3. 14[15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23] sts. Row 6 [WS]: Work in pattern. Row 7 [RS]: Work as for Row 3. 12[13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21] sts. Row 8 [WS]: Work in pattern. Row 9 [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, SKP, k1. Row 10 [WS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1. Row 11 [RS]: Work as for Row 9. 9[10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18] sts. Row 12 [WS]: Work in pattern. At this point, only size XS will still have a marker remaining on the needle. Remove marker when working next row. Row 13 [RS]: K2[1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1], [p2, k2] to last 3[1, 3, 3, 1, 2, 1] sts, p2[0, 2, 2, 0, 1, 0], k1. This row sets 2x2 Rib for strap. Row 14 [WS]: P1, SKP or p2tog tbl in pattern, work in pattern as set to end. 8[9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17] sts. Rows 15-16: Work in pattern. Row 17 [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, SKP or p2tog tbl in pattern, k1. 7[8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16] sts. Continue in 2x2 Rib as set, maintaining edge sts in stockinette st, until work measures 26.25[26.25, 26.25, 27.5, 27.5, 29.5, 29.5] inches (armhole measures 9.25[9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 10.25, 10.25] inches), ending with a WS row. BO all sts in pattern. BACK Rejoin yarn to held sts on long needle with WS facing. Use long needle to p across back sts to side marker; remove marker and place last 24[26, 28, 30, 32, 35, 38] sts on hold on short needle for right front. Back will be worked over 60[68, 76, 84, 92, 100, 108] sts on long needle. Rows 1-2: BO 2[3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] sts, work in stockinette st to end. 56[62, 70, 76, 82, 88, 94] sts. Row 3 [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, SKP, k1. Row 4 [WS]: P1, p2tog tbl, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. Row 5 [RS]: Work as for Row 3. Row 6 [WS]: P all sts. Row 7 [RS]: Work as for Row 3. Rows 8-9: Work in stockinette st. Row 10 [WS]: Work as for Row 4. 46[52, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84] sts. Rows 11-12: Work in stockinette st. Row 13 [RS]: K2[1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1], [p2, k2] to last 0[3, 3, 0, 3, 0, 3] sts, p0[2, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2], k0[1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1]. Continue in 2x2 Rib as set until work measures 25[25, 25, 26.25, 26.25, 28.25, 28.25] inches (1.25 inches less than left front to shoulder), ending with a RS row. Shape Back Neckline: Next Row [WS]: Work 11[12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20] sts in pattern and place these sts on st holder or waste yarn for left shoulder; BO next 24[28, 32, 36, 40, 42, 44] sts in pattern, continue in pattern to end. 11[12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20] sts. Right Shoulder: Row 1 [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, SKP or p2tog tbl in pattern, k1. Row 2 [WS]: P1, SKP or p2tog tbl in pattern, work in pattern to end. Row 3 [RS]: Work as for Row 1. Row 4 [WS]: Work in pattern. Rows 5-6: Work as for Rows 3-4. BO remaining 7[8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16] sts in pattern. Left Shoulder: Place held sts of left shoulder on needle with RS facing and rejoin yarn at neckline edge. Row 1 [RS]: K1, k2tog or p2tog in pattern, work in pattern to end. Row 2 [WS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog or p2tog in pattern, p1. Row 3 [RS]: Work as for Row 1. Row 4 [WS]: Work in pattern. Rows 5-6: Work as for Rows 3-4. BO remaining 7[8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16] sts in pattern. RIGHT FRONT Rejoin yarn to 24[26, 28, 30, 32, 35, 38] sts of right front at armhole edge, with WS facing. Work in pattern to end. Row 1 [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in pattern to end. Row 2 [WS]: BO 2[3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] sts, work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 20[21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29] sts. Row 3 [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in pattern to last 3 sts, SKP, k1. Row 4 [WS]: P1, p2tog tbl, work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. Row 5 [RS]: Work as for Row 3. 14[15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23] sts. Row 6 [WS]: Work in pattern. Row 7 [RS]: Work as for Row 3. 12[13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21] sts. Row 8 [WS]: Work in pattern. Row 9 [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in pattern to end. Row 10 [WS]: P1, p2tog, work in pattern to end. Row 11 [RS]: Work as for Row 9. 9[10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18] sts. Row 12 [WS]: Work in pattern. At this point, only size XS will still have a marker remaining on the needle. Remove marker when working next row. Row 13 [RS]: K1, p2[0, 2, 2, 0, 1, 0], [k2, p2] to last 2[1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1] sts, k2[1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1]. This row sets 2x2 Rib for strap. Row 14 [WS]: Work in pattern as set to last 3 sts, k2tog or p2tog in pattern, p1. 8[9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17] sts. Rows 15-16: Work in pattern. Row 17 [RS]: K1, k2tog or p2tog in pattern, work in pattern to end. 7[8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16] sts. Continue in 2x2 Rib as set, maintaining edge sts in stockinette st, until work measures 26.25[26.25, 26.25, 27.5, 27.5, 29.5, 29.5] inches (armhole measures 9.25[9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 10.25, 10.25] inches), ending with a WS row. BO all sts in pattern.

FINISHING
Sew shoulder seams. Armhole Edging: Beginning at center of one underarm, with RS facing and using short needle, pick up and k 1 st in each BO st and 3 sts for every 4 rows around armhole edge. Place marker and join to begin working in the round. Round 1: K all sts. Round 2: P2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog. Repeat these 2 rounds 3 times more. BO all sts. Work edging around other armhole in the same way. Neckline Edging: Beginning at upper corner of right front edge (top of buttonhole band), with RS facing and using long needle, pick up and k 1 st in each BO st and 3 sts for every 4 rows around neckline, ending at left front edge. The first st of each row should be slipped purlwise. Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1, k to end. Rows 3-4: Work as for Rows 1-2. Rows 5-6: Work as for Row 1 (sts decreased at each end of both RS and WS rows). Row 7 [WS]: Sl 1, k to end. Row 8 [RS]: Work as for Row 1, binding off all sts. Weave in ends. Block vest, stretching ribbed yoke slightly so that it lays flat. Sew buttons to button band, opposite buttonholes.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
SweaterBabe, a.k.a. Katherine Lee, is the knitting and crochet pattern designer behind SweaterBabe.com. She loves to design chic, hip patterns for women, kids, and babies with lots of lace, cables and textures. Her serious attention to fitted shapes and pretty detailing also shows in her book, SweaterBabe.com's Fabulous & Flirty Crochet. Her designs are also in Greetings from Knit Café, the Vogue Knitting on the Go! series, and other books and yarn magazines. Her patterns are available at SweaterBabe.com, along with a newsletter with free patterns, expert knitting tips, a blog, and the web's largest, easily searchable Yarn Store Directory.
Pattern & images © 2008 SweaterBabe. Contact SweaterBabe