Friday, February 25, 2011

Eternalism "Earth" Vest




I am on a vest kick it seems and on mid-winter break so I am like a knitting machine! Another vest caught my eye recently out of Winter/Spring Knitscene 2011. The Eternalism Vest by Talitha Kuomi: The construction of the vest was intriguing. Done up in the most beautifully hued wooly yarn. I happened upon a completed sample vest at Serial Knitters in Kirkland and was able to try on the store sample and chat with the lady who knit it in this exact yarn. This was helpful to correctly assess my yardage.

Here is the scrumptious, yet expensive yarn, Schoppel Wolle PUR. Made in Germany and every gram is yummy. I loved this yarn at first sight in the magazine and was delighted to see it in person. It appears felted and is so soft that I want to walk barefoot in it. I love it so much! My husband took one look at it and said it looked cool. Indeed, it is very amazing yarn. It plumps up when you knit with it and then further after blocking. As I said, rather pricey. So I ended up returning to get just one more skein as my size is the 37 and would require about 2.5 skeins of goodness. I knit mine on size 10 needles. The pattern calls for 4 skeins in my size, however, as I mentioned mine is only taking 2.5. Each skein is 150 m. or about 165 yards. These are the same colorway, called "Earth", just different colors showing in my balls below:

The hemline is genius. After casting on and knitting a few rows, you make a purl ridge and then continue stockinette a few rows, then you turn the hem on the purl ridge and...

You pick up stitches on the cast on edge using a spare needle to coincide with the same number of cast on stitches. This is so you can then knit the folded hem, wrong sides together, right to your piece. Makes sense once you do it.

This produces the most substantial and cushy hemline. It gives it some weight and is neat, tidy and finished looking.

Here's the reverse side of my hemline.

Once you reach the top of the back piece, the stitches at back neck are placed on a holder.

Then you cast on for your right front of the vest, knitting upward to the armhole and then across the back of the neck...

You use a slip 2 purlwise, k1 at this portion and that is making these little ridges you see. Markers are placed at this back neck portion where you will later seam this to the back.

You continue merrily knitting along, now knitting down the left front of the vest and do a little reverse shaping as you reach the armhole and a bit of casting on and increases to do so.


As it appears this snowy and cold Seattle morning...Almost nearing the finishing stages.

I love this knitting weather and the results of this beautiful pattern and yarn! I love knitting with it SO much I don't want to be done with the last few rows. That's how much I LOVE this yarn. I love it so much I think I want to marry it! I don't want this project to end. I ended up with a half skein leftover, as you recall I omitted the patch pockets on the pattern. I may do a cute pair of fingerless gloves to match. Or just snuggle up with the yarn and sleep next to it!

6 comments:

knitterbeader said...

You really are a "knitting machine". Can't believe how fast you are. Will look forward to the finished vest. Beautiful looking yarn!
Isn't this snow/cold something else? It was 15 deg. this morning when I got up. I am so ready for warm weather.

fredabee said...

Hi Jeannine,

Haven't been around much on ravelry, but I just saw your blog post about this cool vest, and I must say you're version looks better than the magazine's. I think it's the colorway I like. Absolutely gorgeous. I'm into vests right now too, although I haven't had time to knit anything beyond fingerless gloves for my husband and a hat for my son. Little things that don't take too much time. Well, happy knitting, and great job on the vest!

Jeannine said...

Hi Knitterbeader and fredabee,Thanks for the comments! My colorway is exact one used in magazine. "earth". Theirs just reads a bit more golden. Depends on the skeins you get what comes out!

nursenikkiknits said...

I absolutely love the colours of your vest. It's beautiful, and you have done a beautiful job on it!

Sandee said...

GASP! That yarn is the prettiest ever1

Maretta Deiterman said...

I LOVE that vest and live in a small town w/o a knit shop. Am leaving Thur. for 16 days to Scandinavia. I would love to have this to knit on the plane etc. Could you possibly email it to me at marlou254@sbcglobal.net
I'd buy the magazine if I could or gladly pay you.
Maretta Deiterman