Wednesday, March 26, 2008

FO: Gilmore Vest


Can you tell this vest makes me feel sassy? Yes, it does. After a few hours of sewing a tubular bind-off on the neck's 260 stitches, I'm happy to be finished, and I'm happy with the outcome.

Pattern: Gilmore Vest
Yarn: Lamb's Wool de Georges Picaud (thrifted DK 100% wool)
Needles: 3.25mm for ribbing, 4.0mm for body
Special techniques: tubular cast-on and tubular bind-off



I don't actually have a waist, and I wondered if the wide band of ribbing would be terribly unflattering on me, but I think it actually looks OK. I really like how this vest fits -- not tight or stretched, but not too big. Just right! I suddenly want lots of vests. So versatile! Dressy over a blouse, casual over a T-shirt, cute, cute, and cute. And I'd recommend the pattern; it's simple, straightforward, and free. (The pattern does tell you to knit a long band of ribbing for the neck and then attach it, though, which seems needlessly complicated; I picked up stitches around the neck instead.) (ETA: The tubular cast-on and bind-off are not part of the pattern as written; I just decided to use them because I like how the edges look with the k1p1 ribbing.)

OK, so I got my comps questions yesterday, so I'm going into the writing zone for the next four weeks. I'll still be around, but maybe a little less. I'll leave you with a completely candid shot; I always get dressed up to do my reading while standing in the living room, don't you?


Ha. I'm going to go and put my PJ pants back on now. :)

48 comments:

yaiAnn said...

Love that color! I must bookmark that pattern.

Jodi said...

Fabulous vest, and best of luck on exams! I pretty much lived in polarfleece pants, PJs, and tracksuits while I wrote my very last exam.

Anonymous said...

NO wonder you feel sassy! I love it! Adorable with the blouse and skirt.

Good luck on comps. Judgement is scary.

BTW, I need to look into this wallpaper mitts bizness.

knitography said...

Very cute! I love vests too, but I find it difficult to find patterns that I like. This one looks like it might be a winner.

lori said...

so sassy! I love the colour. for having no waist (me too) it looks fabulous!

Good luck with the comps. Do you have any big post-comp plans?

melissa said...

i love this vest! and you look so cute and sassy modeling it. :)

Anonymous said...

Cute cute cute lady!

Anonymous said...

Most excellent work! That looks great and great on you!

Montreal Mama said...

Love the color as well! :)

anne said...

Sassy girl! Best of luck writing your exams.

Sue said...

Ooh it is so cute. I love the long ribbing too. Great color!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! Now I want a vest, too!

(I really do think more knitters would be satisfied more often if they go into a project thinking "positive ease"!
It doesn't have to be a lot, and it looks so much more comfortable.)

Chris said...

That first picture is so sassy, wicked professorish... good luck on comps!

Marnie said...

very cute! makes me suddenly see the point of vests.

Bertha said...

Oh, this looks so super on you! Especially with that blouse! LOVE.

Anonymous said...

Cute! But only you could feel sassy in a vest, dear Brainy.

Jessica said...

It looks great on you. You're really knocking out the projects lately.

amanda said...

It looks fab, fab, FAB! I'm a big fan of vests (in theory; I've never actually knit one) and this one looks brilliant on you.

Good luck with the writing! Sending nothing but good writing vibes your way.

shannon said...

So so so cute!!

I think it is very flattering on you, both style and color.

Okay, off to work on my tailored cardigan (I'm at a point that scares me and I just need to do it).

Thanks for the inspiration!

goodkarma said...

I want your vest! That exact color and fit and everything. I really like it with that little top underneath, too. Yay!

La Cabeza Grande said...

Oh, La Brainy, that looks perfectly fabulous on you! Well done.

Steph said...

I really, really want to knit that vest!

It looks great - and the colour is parfait!

Anonymous said...

It looks great on you! Just the thing for reading Foucault!

Best of luck on the comps!

Meg said...

That is so pretty! I'm adding it to my queue. I have no waist either, and since people generally do (or assume you do, anyway) it's good to know that there are patterns that will work for us waist-less wonders!

spajonas said...

oooh, i love it! why don't i have any vests?

stephanie said...

i love it! i've noticed myself queuing up a bunch of vests in my to do list as well.

the color is fabulous too!

Lolly said...

love it! looks great with that outfit ;)

Anonymous said...

That's such a cute vest. It's quite flattering! :)

And good luck with the comps!

Jennifer Lori said...

I want one too! Must go print pattern...

p.s. nice candid shot! Very un-staged, yeah!

Octopus Knits said...

Very cute!

Anonymous said...

That is friggin' adorable.

Stacey said...

super cute! i'll get around to making a vest eventually - i keep seeing such cute ones pop up!

Robin said...

Perfection! The colour, fit, your cute blouse underneath. Awesome. Good luck with your comps.

Anonymous said...

So cute, Brainy! But I didn't see where the tubular cast-on was mentioned. Did you just feel like using it? How is it better than, say, long-tail?

tadlewog said...

so cute! it looks great on you!

and the candid shot? that's *exactly* what i do, too! :)

Unknown said...

I've been reading this blog for a while, but had to de-lurk to say how happy it makes me that you incorporated Foucault into the last picture! Maybe I'll try making a vest for my next big academic endeavor...

Cari said...

Good luck with comps!

As someone who also doesn't have a waist, I'm thrilled to see how great that vest looks on you. I think I need to add that one to the queue. (As if I ever knit anymore. Ha.)

Elizabeth said...

Sassy, indeed - it looks fab! Are you reading Foucault in that last photo, you poor thing? :)

Scrappy Raven said...

I have a waistless body especially now that I've gained some weight. I always thought a long ribbing section would not sit right or look terribe. My husband bought me a sweater recently with similar length of ribbing and it looked great on me and gave me some shape. I've only seen the vest on slim gals like you but it should also be good on plus sizes. It looks great layered over your blouse. Thanks for blogging even though you're really busy. Good luck with your comps.

Protagitron said...

Aww, you should be legislated to wear a kicky vest and skirt combo everyday, even if it meant you could never leave the house until
April. It's just that cute, and the blue looks boss with the brown skirt

claudia said...

That looks awesome on you! Good luck with the writing thing. I feel your pain.

Melissa said...

This looks great!

Anonymous said...

I was surprised you said you have no waist - this style really makes you look as if you do. It's lovely!

melissa said...

i love the vest! the color is beautiful and the fit is great!

Unknown said...

The vest looks great on you. Very studious-looking. LOL!

ingrid said...

It looks fantastic. I really love a nice, fitted vest.

I had a dream last night that I was in Montreal and I saw you! I was too shy to go over and talk to you (not sure why) so I just stared at you and hoped you would recognise me (sounds kind of creepy). You didn't, so I sent you an e-mail from my BlackBerry. Then I woke up.

Strange, eh? I think this must have something to do with my upcoming trip to Montreal.

Anonymous said...

Very lovely.

Elinor said...

You look very studious in your new vest! I hope your comp exams go well!