Monica Knits

Autumn, winter and spring are good times for wearing vests and I seem never to have enough, plus they are pretty quick to knit, crochet or sew. I was thumbing through my collection of patterns and clippings (which includes vintage materials I inherited) and I decided to make this classic vest. It is a timeless design that was featured in "Best Dressed Vests," in the eighties and was designed by Paulette Matteson. Read more...

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Yarns for Sweaters, Dresses and Tops
Sugar 'n Cream Yarn
Woolly Nylon for Elasticity and Reinforcement

Although I used a cream colored main color with strawberry accents, when I was almost done I went back to the store and I found a variegated yarn (cream plus pink, blue and lavender highlights), which I purchased for my next cotton vest. The pattern gave instructions for 3 sizes (6/8, 10/12 and 14/16) for a loose fitting vest.

I made two minor modifications. I used purchase crescent-shaped, wooden buttons rather than crocheted buttons specified and, I finished the collar edge with wooly nylon, threaded through every other stitch. This elastic finish gives a collar that rests nicely against the neck.

Yarn
Main color: Lily (Coats & Clark Canada), Sugar 'n Cream, seven (7) 2-3/4 oz skeins, 4 ply cotton
Contrast color: Pingouin, Pacifique, red, two (2) 50 g skeins, boucle (70% cotton, 30% viscose)
Gauge: 9 sts = 2"