Done! The Estes Vest was finally completed about 10 days ago. I love it. It’s really big and really warm and I think this is a FO that I am going to be able to hang onto for a long time.  It did come out a little bit wider than I intended, but I think it’s ok. When I wear it outside, I’m going to want to be able to layer. There didn’t seem to be a need for buttons, at least not yet. The finishing took so long, I don’t even want to think about adding toggles. Besides, since it’s wide, i think I can put on some nifty snaps or something. Big A has been a big help with the brown detailing. Can you see it on the pocket edges? And check out the back!

You want some stats, right? Ok, here goes!

Pattern: Estes Vest, IK Fall 2008

Yarn: Husdon Valley Sheel and Wool Company, 8 skeins blue, 2 skeins brown

Time: 2.25 months

Mods: I added 3″ of length to the overall body. I felt that sample was a little tight for a bulky vest and I wanted something slightly larger. I think the sweater on the model was a tad small, so I also went up one size. I also made the collar slightly higher then specified. I added brown to highlight the i-cord edging on the bottom, back cables, sleeves and collar.

Here’s the question on everyone’s mind: How much yarn was leftover??

Two full hanks of blue, 3 small skeins of blue and half a skein of brown. I guess I’m making Jess a hat and some pot pie

And now onto the next looming project…..Big A’s neverendingraglan.

Looks nice and nearly finished, right? WRONG. If you look at the first photo, there’s a faint line of blue string across the chest. That’s the place where I ripped back to. The sweater is fitting him pretty good, except for the near-breaking tightness of the chest. I offered to block it harder, and promised it would stretch, but I know in my heart that it would probably be uncomfortable for him wearing a too tight sweater. So I ripped back just to the beginning of the raglan decreases, and plan to do less than specified, so he’ll breathe easier.

Oh and my new favorite mug from the last post? It died. Suicide. Just couldn’t take being used anymore and jumped off the cabinet. I was really bummed, but she’s in a better place.

Next in my knitting plans, is this owl. But after Big A’s sweater is done, he’s been shorted out of a sweater this winter!