Friday, July 22, 2011

My Little Vestalong—The Final Chapter: Making the Front Bands

Did you think I'd left you hanging without final instructions as to how to finish your vest? Well, I did but there was a method in my apparent lapse. My hope was that you'd figure it out for yourself if I left it long enough, which is part of free-range knitting. Confidence, risk-taking. Most knitters do know how do do these things but lack the confidence to proceed without someone else's endorsement. We were trained that way, in most cases. But think about it: based on what I've alrteady shown here, how would you proceed next? Note, also, that this vest does not have buttonholes but you can certainly add some if you'd like your look to be more fitted.

Your answer to that question could never be the wrong one in free-range knitting. There are no wrong answers here, only options. And opportunities. You know that it's necessary to finish the neckline and create front bands so what are your options? Here's a few:

• Using a contrasting yarn and a circular needle, pick up and knit stitch for stitch along the entire inside edge of your vest, including inside fronts and neckline. Knit two rows. On third row, change yarn and work yarn-over-knit-two-together openwork as already described. Finish with two more knit rows and bind off. With straight needles, pick up and knit along front inside edges separately to make front bands to fit. Work seed stitch on each side for sufficient width to suit you. This is how I finishedmy green creation above, the picture of which shows the front bands in progress.
• Crochet the entire inner edge
• With a  needle, pick up stitch foir stitch along the inside edge of each front and knit one row. Work seed stitch to sufficient width for your preferences. Bind off. With circular needles, pick up along the entire inner edge of vest. Knit one row and bind off.
• Can you think of others? If so, please use the comment box below for your ideas! or check here on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/jane-thornley/1687728/726-750#reply_form

For those of us with larger busts, working the front bands and neckline together might not work as well since more inches may be required out front needed around your neckline (by the way, should you try knitting a three or four inch band all the way along your inside edge, you will, by default, create a charming little collar). This is why I worked my neckline finishing first and then added the two front bands separately on straight needles. I need more room out there. Actually, I solved some of my fitting issues by nixing buttonholes and allowing my vest to hang open.

Check here later as I post photos of finished vests made by fellow knitalongers!