I recently finished knitting this brown wool vest. The pattern, called Splitstone by designer Alicia Plummer. is available on Ravelry. I used Rowan’s pure worsted wool made in England that I purchased at Fibre Space – a Yarn Universe in Alexandria, Virginia. If you haven’t been to this wonderful indie store yet, you need to make a trip. It is just a short Metro trip from Washington DC or any of the surrounding area if you are visiting. If you are a knitter, you will find yourself in paradise at Fibre Space!
This vest is knit bottom-to-top in the round. I used US 6, 29″ needles for the ribbing and US 7, 29″ needles for the body, to obtain the 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches gauge. The torso is shaped starting where the bottom ribbing ends.
After I was finished knitting, I washed and blocked my vest. I purchased these blocking mats and pins at Fibre Space.
What I love about this vest is that it is a fitted pattern, knit to fit my curves and it extends to my hips. It fits me so well, it adds just the right amount of warmth for a cool autumn day or evening. The deep chocolate brown goes with so many pieces in my fall wardrobe. It matches my favorite food, chocolate, perfectly. So I do not have to worry about staining my new vest. Of course, if any food gets on my wool vest, I wash it immediately with Soak wash. This is the best rinse-free laundry soap for delicate items, like woolens and lingerie. I buy Soak at Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia.
I wore this vest often as an extra layer during windy days in Provence. I love it over the bodysuits I’ve been sewing using Madalynne’s bodysuit, Simplicity 8435. More about these in an upcoming post. Here I am in Saint-Remy-de-Provence in my natural habitat, which is…you guessed it, eating and drinking chocolate in a tea salon.
And now it is lunchtime in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. If it wasn’t for my husband, you would find me at a patisserie or boulangerie indulging in another round of sweets, but instead we are eating pates au saumon fume, which I also love. Apparently, per my husband, the four food groups are not cake, candy, ice cream and cookies.
Yes, another dessert… mousse au chocolat…this matches my vest!
The courtyard of the stone house, Les Deux Cypres, in Sanilhac, near Uzes.
From the back.
As always, thank you for visiting my blog! Merci et au revoir!
Jolirose 