08.05.14 I start student teaching later this month, so I wanted to knit a vest to go with my growing wardrobe of store bought vests. I don’t like to wear sweaters, but I do like vests. I did a backwards loop cast on so that it would be stretchy.

08.09.14 I switched to size 6 needles after 3 repeats of the lace pattern. After one repeat on size 6 needles, I switched to size 7. It fits nicely around the hips and belly, but it was a bit snug on my 34.5” bust. There are no noticeable changes where I went up a needle size, but it fits better. I haven’t done a full repeat of the 5th lace repeat on size 7’s, but I want to look at some projects and see whether I like the look of the front when the neckline starts at half a repeat and when it starts at a full repeat.

08.09.14 I have started both front panels. After switching to size 7 needles, I kint half a lace repeat before beginning the neckline. Three full repeats have been done on size 7 needles, but I intend to switch back to size 6 needles now that I am past the bust for a denser and stronger fabric for the shoulders. Before I continue, I’m going to work on the back with my size 7 needles. I’m using a 40” interchangeable circular, so I haven’t needed any additional needles for working the different pieces flat.

08.13.14 I used a 3 needle bind off for the shoulders. I waited to cut the yarn until I also seamed up the sides with mattress stitch. It’s not as neat or pretty as I would like because of the increase stitches using the bar that I should be using for the mattress stitch, but it’s serviceable. After I seamed the sides, I tried it on and it fits well. Time to pick up stitches and knit some ribbing.

08.14.14 Ribbing is done and bound off, and the vest is blocking. I need to weave in a lot of ends, but I was excited to block it so I could see how it would look and feel on me.

08.22.14 I spent the evening watching True Blood with my husband and weaving in ends. I used the decrease stitches to hide most of my ends. Easy peasy. I ended up using just the classic bind off in pattern. I monitored my tension closely and avoided any puckering. Come on cold weather! I want to wear my vest!