The Knitting Fiend

Machine Knit Mirror Vest
6.9 st/inch rayon-cotton
Designed by Lucia.

Hand Knit Mirror Vest
3 st/inch, 100% wool
Designed by Lucia.

Of course. Both vest are created using my pattern generators. The user can enter the gauge from their swatch, pick their dress size and the knitting pattern automatically changes. The user doesn’t need to do the math. The knit garments are similar.

Of course, some features change based on yarn choice. For example, my hand knit vest is knit with variegated yarn; this results in somewhat random stripes. I used a gorgeous fluffy hand painted yarn that knit up near 3 st/inch; it made a cozy warm fabric. My machine knit vest is knit from a novelty yarn with one shiny rayon strand plied with a cotton slub. It’s much finer yarn, knits up at around 6-7 stitches per inch and makes a very drapey vest. (You’ll see it on me when I pester Jim into taking my picture.)

In this case, I hand knit a vest first (using the wonderful Denise knitting needles I got for Christmas!) I liked the vest so much I wanted a machine knit version too. So, I modified the pattern slightly based on things that are difficult to do when knitting with a single bed machine. Specifically, the hand knit vest has a garter stitch border, which is a cinch when hand knitting but sort of a pain in the patoot on a machine. So, I substituted a crocheted edging. (Although, hand work is so slow, I think I might have saved time by just using my garter bar and adding three rows of garter stitch for the trim. Those who own garter carriages could use that.)

Anyway, both patterns are now available! I hope you enjoy making one for yourself. (Send me pictures if you do! )