Indian Floral Vest Knitting Pattern Download

Description

Pam Allen was so inspired by the sumptuousness, sheen, and drape of the naturally dyed silk yarn sold by La Lana Wools that she was delighted when we asked her to design a vest with it, and to this day leaves the shade card on her wall for inspiration. With the rich colors and intricate floral motifs of India in her minds eye, she selected a deep saturated scarlet as the main color for the vest, then chose three subtle variations of madder for the embroidery. It isn’t always easy to embroider with silk as heavy as La Lanas. To make it easier, Pam suggests using a sharp-pointed embroidery needle (she chose a #20 chenille needle) and rotating it back and forth between thumb and index finger while pulling it through the fabric. Dont be afraid to embroider through the yarn. If you try to embroider only between stitches you’ll end up distorting the knitted fabric.

Finished Size: 36 (40, 44)”” (91.5 [101.5, 112] cm) bust/chest circumference, buttoned. Vest shown measures 36″” (91.5) cm.
Yarn: La Lana Bombyx Silk (100% Bombyx silk; 60 yd [55 m]/1 oz): Raja red, 8 skeins (10, 12 skeins for larger 2 sizes); light madder, dark madder, and rose madder, 1 skein each.
Yarn weight: #4 – Medium
Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows
Needles: Body: Size 6 (4 mm). Ribbing: Size 5 (3.75 mm). Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: #20 chenille embroidery needle; tissue paper; size F/5 (3.75 mm) crochet hook; sewing thread; sewing needle.
Originally Published: Interweave Knits Winter 1999