Planche Vest was published in the newest issue of Interweave Knits Summer 2012, a fast knit using bias eyelets in a worsted weight cotton. The cotton yarn was soooo lovely, Cotton Supreme from Universal Yarns and believe you me it is nothing like the standard cotton that you can get from you know where. Yes you know the stuff, named after coffee additives, only good for dish cloths. Well Cotton Supreme is nothing like that, I was really worried about my hands before this yarn came, as I have experience with the cotton-that-shall-not-be-named hurting my hands and causing cramps. But it was lovely to knit and the biased eyelets are easy on the hands and work up fast.
The vest is worked in the round from the bottom up, then divided for the keyhole and divided further for the armholes. Nice thing is that only one thing goes on at any one time, so it is simple to keep track of and the decreases and increases for the keyhole are written simply so there are no charts to follow either.
Planche means Chevron in French and this vest has a chevron in the front and back to flatter the body. The bottom hem is worked on needles that are two sizes smaller than the top and can be worked pulled down over the hips as in the magazine or higher at the top of the hips with a bit of flounce. The shoulder/sleeves are dolman style which means that there are not any underarm stitches bound off. The stitches simply split into two sections at the underarm and then are worked to the shoulder without shaping. This also means that the larger sizes will have more of a shoulder/sleeve then the smaller sizes.
The neck is finished with a knit on i-cord edging but the keyhole opening and the sleeve edges are worked with an edging that mimics a knit on i-cord. This means that they are completed at the same time as the garment and require no further finishing. When working the neck i-cord be careful not to work too tightly, if you are a tight knitter you may want to go up a needle size from the one recommended.
And I almost forgot the best part, this garment is sized from 34 inches to 59 inches so enjoy all you lovely ladies! enjoy!
Tip: want to add sleeves? why not pickup around the edges of the armholes and work in k1 p1 ribbing to create a short sleeve? Work the garment with different colored ribbing and i-cord bind off for a color blocking effect. Or work the ribbing for 5-6 inches and work 2 inches less mesh before starting the keyhole for something slightly different.
Finished Size 34¼ (36½, 41¼, 45¾ , 48, 52½ , 54¾ , 59½ )” bust circumference. Pullover shown measures 34¼”, modeled with slight ease.
Yarn Universal Cotton Supreme (100% cotton; 180 yd [165 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): #602 orange creme, 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins.
Needles Sizes 7 (4.5 mm) and 9 (5.5 mm): 32” circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Markers (m); stitch holders; tapestry needle.
Gauge 14 sts and 21 rnds = 4” in diagonal lace patt on larger needle.
Yarn Universal Cotton Supreme (100% cotton; 180 yd [165 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): #602 orange creme, 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins.
Needles Sizes 7 (4.5 mm) and 9 (5.5 mm): 32” circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Markers (m); stitch holders; tapestry needle.
Gauge 14 sts and 21 rnds = 4” in diagonal lace patt on larger needle.
