Saar vest by Aleks Byrd

Saar vest

Knitting
February 2024
both are used in this pattern
Sport (12 wpi) ?
28 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in body colourwork pattern in the round after blocking
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
1000 - 2098 yards (914 - 1918 m)
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
English Estonian
This pattern is available for £6.00 GBP
buy it now or visit pattern website

SAAR VEST
This vest is a based on an Estonian fisherman sweater made on the island of Kihnu called a troi sweater. Inspired by a particular troi sweater made in Kihnu in the 1950’s for Kihnu native and historian Theodor Saar (also referred to as Kaerametsä Veeda)

Join the Saar vest KAL! I’m excited to knit another Saar vest with you wonderful knitters! The KAL will run from April 1st - June 1st. During those weeks we will have three 1 hour zoom sessions to chat and knit together while I’ll also answer any of your questions- especially great if you want some support steeking. There will also be a Ravelry thread in the Aleks Byrd Designs Ravelry group where we can chat and share photos of our yarn selection and progress. Join in for a fun, relaxed and supportive KAL. Find out more about the Saar vest KAL here

PATTERN NOTES
This colourwork vest is knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up with the use of steeking.

The hem and shoulders feature Estonian Kihnu vits knitted braids as well as colourwork. The body of the vest is knit in an all over colourwork pattern.

The vest is knit in the round from the hem up to the underarm. Stitches for the underarm are bound-off and additional stitches are cast on for steeks for each armhole opening. Stitches are also bound-off for the neck and additional stitches cast on for a steek at the neck to allow for crew neck shaping. Shoulders of vest are joined together using a three needle bind-off.

The neck band and armhole bands or edging are worked in a 1x1 rib.

SIZE
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Recommended ease: 2– 4” / 5–10 cm of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
A. Bust Circumference: 34.25 (37.75, 41.25, 44.5, 48) (51.5, 54.75, 58.25, 61.75, 65.25)” / 85.5 (94.5, 103, 111.5, 120) (128.5, 137, 145.5, 154.5, 163) cm
B. Armhole depth: 8.25 (8.25, 8.5, 8.75, 8.75) 8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10, 10.5” / 21 (21, 21.5, 22, 22) (22, 23.5, 24.5, 25.5, 26.5) cm
C. Body length (hem to underarm - adjustable): 12.25” / 31 cm.
D. Shoulder width: 5 (5, 5, 5.25, 5.25) (5.5, 5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.25)” / 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 13.5, 13.5) (14, 14.5, 15.5, 16, 16) cm
E. Neck width: 7.5 (7.75, 8.25, 8, 8.25) (8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.5, 9.5)” / 18.5 (19.5, 20.5, 20, 20.5) (20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23.5) cm

YARN
Walcot Yarns Opus (70% Argentinian Merino, 30% Baby Alpaca, 384 yds / 350 m – 100 g)
MC: 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins of colour Spellbound

Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool (100% Superwashed American Wool, 200 yds / 183 m – 50 g)
CC: 2 (3, 3, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins of colour Next Level

Or sport weight in the following amounts:
MC: 631 (695, 768, 838, 904) 970, 1054, 1145, 1227, 1323 yds / 577 (636, 702, 766, 827) (887, 964, 1047, 1122, 1210) m

CC: 370 (408, 450, 491, 530) (568, 618, 670, 719, 775) yds / 338 (373, 411, 449, 485) (519, 565, 613, 657, 709) m

NEEDLES

  • US 3 / 3.25 mm –16” / 40 cm circular needles for ribbing.
  • US 4 / 3.5 mm - 32” / 80 cm circular needles for colourwork.

NOTIONS

  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Waste yarn or stitch holder
  • Sharp scissors

TECHNIQUES USED

  • Kihnu vits (Kihnu braid)-video tutorials included

  • Steeking

  • Stranded colourwork / Fair Isle

  • Ribbing

  • Three needle bind-off