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Kelbourne Woolens logo Kelbourne Woolens

For those who love the craft as much as we do.

Swatching: Jim Vest by Straker Classics

By Kate Gagnon Osborn on November 13, 2015January 13, 2022

SPECIFICATIONS
Pattern: Jim Vest by Penny Straker
Recommended Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) and US 5 (3.75 mm)
Gauges: 24 sts + 32 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in St st on larger needles / 27 sts + 32 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in St st and Tree of Life Panel on larger needles

SWATCH
Yarn: The Fibre Co. Knightsbridge in Stonehenge
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
Gauge After Blocking: 24 sts + 31 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in St st on US 3 needles / 26 sts + 31 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in St st and Tree of Life Panel n US 3 needles

NOTES
Knightsbridge is an incredibly soft and drapey yarn. From my past experience with it, I knew a US 5 needle would produce a fabric that was much to loose. I opted to swatch with a US 3 to start, and was lucky enough to achieve stitch gauge. While I was able to achieve stitch gauge, I am one row off on my row gauge. After looking over the pattern, I am happy to see that the directions are written in inches/centimeters as opposed to rows, so as long as I calculate length using my row gauge, I’m all set there.

I am one stitch off on gauge for the Tree of Life Panel, but this just may have to do with where I calculated gauge. If I move my knit check over so that two panels are within the window (As opposed to just one, as I did when calculating gauge), I count 28 sts to 4″ (10 cm), so I’m confident the average will produce the correct dimensions. To double check, I am going to cast on the back and block my knitting after a few inches of the pattern has been worked, just to make sure the full width is correct.

We have a work trip to Ireland coming up in December, and this vest would make a perfect layering piece while we travel. (And how amazing would it be to photograph the F.O at the Glencolumbkille Folk Village?)

– KGO

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Knitter Projects: Keswick Cardigan

5 thoughts on “Swatching: Jim Vest by Straker Classics”

  1. Kirsten says:
    November 17, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    How many skeins of the Knightsbridge are you planning on needing? This looks like a great vest!

    Reply
    1. Kelbourne Woolens says:
      November 23, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      Thanks! I’m knitting the 2nd size, which calls for 767 yards, so a little over 6 skeins of the Knightsbridge.

      Reply
  2. Pat says:
    November 23, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    Project updates?

    Reply
    1. Kelbourne Woolens says:
      November 23, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      I took on a last minute project deadline, so put it aside for the week – hopefully this week with a few days off I can really get some knitting time in! I’ll post as soon as I have some good progress

      Reply
  3. Pat says:
    December 19, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    Sounds like you had a great trip to Ireland! I love that place. Any project updates on the vest? By the way, Merry Christmas!

    Reply

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