Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Knit for Connor month: Floyd Vest

This is my third and final instalment of Knit for Connor month (which should more correctly be called Knit for Connor Two Months, since I made most of this in September rather than August!).
When I was planning the projects for KfCm, I found something very interesting - well, to me anyway.  And perhaps those also knitting for small children.  The sizes are SO INCONSISTENT!  It shouldn't come as a surprise, really, given that this is also the case for women's clothing (I can't really speak for men!).  But it is annoying, because it makes it very hard to knit in advance.  I knit the 12-18mo size in the Pembroke vest, and it is a good fit with a bit of room for next year (and with any luck, the year after, since people who know tell me small kids tend to grow up more than out for the first couple of years!).  This vest I knit the 3yo size, because I had enough yarn and I thought I might as well.  And what do you know, it fits pretty perfectly now.  With a little bit of room, maybe less than the Pembroke vest.  Although to be fair, I haven't blocked it yet, and being cotton it might grow!  And I even made it a wee bit longer than the pattern specified!!

Details
Pattern:  Floyd vest, by Martin Storey, from Rowan Miniature Classics.  This is a lovely book of baby and toddler patterns.  Sizing issues aside, I will definitely be making more from this book.  I hope!

As with almost all Rowan patterns, it is knit flat and seamed.  It could be converted to knit in the round if you desire, although the shoulder and side seams are fairly short and don't take much seaming really!
Yarn:  Rowan Handknit Cotton, 3 x 50g skeins in red (shade 215 lot 3883038).  I liked knitting with this cotton, although it definitely is harder on the hands than wool.  It knits up really nicely though, I am very happy with the way it looks.

Sticks:  I started this when I was away, and even though I grabbed my set of KnitPicks Harmony Options, I found I didn't have the correct size for the ribbing (3.25mm) so I used 3.5mm instead, and I think it looks fine!  I used 4mm for the main part of the vest, as specified by the pattern.

Time:  27 August 2011 - 28 September 2011 (it took me a little while to sew on the buttons!)
Modifications: I knit the vest as specified, except for the change in stick size noted above for the ribbing.  However, I omitted the pocket, because it really is pointless.  Not big enough to be useful, and for some reason which I cannot fathom, the pocket flap does not have a button hole, even though the pattern shows it with a button on it.  The flap is knit separately and then joined to the front of the vest as you knit it (very clever!).  But the pocket itself is seamed on afterwards.  I figured it would just add bulk and drying time, and as the flap had a tendency to stick up, I thought I'd just sew it down when I added the button.
The button-hole-less pocket flap!
If you want a useable pocket and flap, I'd suggest adding a buttonhole to the flap when you knit it!

I think this is a very cute, easy and practical knit.  I just wish that the size was a little bigger so it would fit for longer!  Next time, I will pay more attention to the schematics and Connor's actual measurements!

24 comments:

Michelle said...

It's gorgeous! And it's red! Yay you!

2paw said...

How annoying about the sizes. I am glad it fits him and he looks great!! Well done with the pocket too!!

MadMad said...

Very cute! I love vests on boys - they just seem to be the perfect amount of warmth for those active little guys!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that it has been cool enough for him to still wear it! Kids patterns are worse than adults, and there is no subsitute for actaul measurements, with healthy ease/growth additions (allow more lengthways).

He looks gorgeous (as usual).

DrK said...

Oh its so perfect on him. He wears red very well doesn't he? Heh. The stitch definition in that cotton is beautiful. Nice work, and cute model!

amy said...

Yes, always go by measurements, not "size." That's where I went wrong with G's pants--there wasn't any measurement given. Knitting patterns, at least, are much better that way, usually, so just ignore the so-called size and look at the finished measurements.

On the other hand, for the Girl's Best Cardigan, G's measurements would have put us at, I think, the 18-month size. I made the 3T anyway and I think it looks fine. Always better to go big rather than small.

I think the pocket is awfully cute! It makes the vest.

Donna Lee said...

Children's clothing is absolutely frustrating sometimes when it comes to sizes. I'm with everyone who said go with the measurements and ignore the size designations. Connor looks good in red. He takes after his mother that way.

del said...

You're right about the inconsistent sizing. Plus, I'm always worried a child will outgrow the knit before I finish it!

The vest came out so cute, and he looks adorable in it.

kim said...

Look at that big boy toddling around town in his handknits. So cute!

kgirlknits said...

ah-door-able!!

i love the buttons at the nape of that oh-so-sweet neck, and the little pocket flap is killer-cute!

sizing is a nightmare though, isn't it?

Bells said...

he's a lucky boy, having such a gorgeous red vest. You did a lovely job.

I agree on the inconsistent sizing. It's a bit variable isn't it?

Mereknits said...

It is a beautiful color and again I just want to reach into the photos and tickle that cute belly.
Meredith

WildflowerWool said...

very cute!

Sarah said...

Scrummy red

Lynne said...

Very cute indeed!

michele said...

He's growing so much!

I love the buttons at the back of the vest. It's all just too cute.

yoel said...

So adorable! The buttons in the back are a great touch.

Olivia said...

Love this vest, and of course the red colour is perfect. Seems that some little boys really miss out on colour (other than blue and brown). I've had the same problem with sizes - I suppose babies and toddlers vary quite a lot too.

sajuki said...

so cute ;)

Virginia G said...

That is an adorable little vest. I love the modeled pix too!

Leonie said...

It's a beautiful vest, well done, the red is just gorgeous on him :-)

1funkyknitwit said...

This turned out super cute and it's a great red ! I love the pocket detail, great pattern, simple but very smart. Vests are great for kids keeps them warm without the sleeves in the way, which kids often don't like.

Your sexy puffs are looking great ;D you go grrl ;)

Denise said...

Love the vest — bugger about the sizing, what a pain :/ Hopefully it will stretch a bit?

Ann said...

The vest is gorgeous & Connor looks so cute in it !