How great are vests? This pattern is available on Squidney Knits Patreon and it's brilliant. Her whole method is to use your own measurements and spi (sts per inch) to create a personalised pattern. My version is knit with leftover Bendigo yarn from a jumper finished earlier this year so I was being yardage conservative at best. The ribbed band should be a bit longer but it's nothing between friends. The stitch pattern is a mix of knit and purls that is easy to 'read' what row you are up to. I much prefer to read my rows rather than make tally marks of where I'm up to. Makes me feel like even more of a knitting wizard. One interesting thing about this pattern is that the upper back and upper front are different widths. As you take your own measurements and work that in line with your gauge (5spi for me), it can be a different width for the front and the back. I have never knitted a garment where the front is not an exact repeat of the back but with neckline shaping. What a revelation! This did require wet blocking as the armholes and neckline are only 4 rows of ribbing deep. They kept wanting to flip upwards. They soon discovered my patience is not infinite. (Just a little Black Jack Randall quote there.) The wet block took an age because just after the vest had soaked, it rained for 3 days. Oh, and I used the double-worked super-stretchy bind off for the neck. I don't think "bind off loosely" is enough stretch. Aside: How much mileage can I get out of this 18th C shirt? Honestly, not enough. I love it so much. It can do Poldark, Outlander, any Jane Austen / Regency period, might even be able to shove it into early Victorian! Drama. Linen. Comfort. Historical. Vest: Knitted from Squidney Knit's Patreon Pattern - Scarecrow Vest Shirt: 18th C mens shirt Skirt: Squared out pencil skirt from the Blue Suit Shoes: American Duchess Claire
0 Comments
You have redeemed me. I am your humble servant. And I love you. With dialogue like that, how can you say no? Usually I'm not into historical telly / film. My style interests are anchored firmly in the mid 20thC. But Poldark just got to me. Specifically the menswear. Sweeping linen shirts, braces in the early seasons, drop front trousers, riding boots rather than breeches and stockings, well placed greatcoats. Oh, and Aidan Turner. The women's costumes were gorgeous too - I'm all about Demelza's rich colour palette of maroon, green, and earthy browns. Sign me up! Early season Elizabeth wore beautiful pink and blue silk gowns with her cascading romantic hair. Ah, so much to look at. Poldark is set in the late 1700s and the final season spills into the new century. I'm not fond of the Regency period in the later seasons with the empire lines for ladies. But again - the menswear! Anyway, after watching the show I decided I could definitely make room for one of these wonderfully clever mens shirts. They are a collection of rectangles, gathered and cuffed. You need some key measurements like upper back shoulder to shoulder, base of neck, wrist circumference, preferred length. But really, the "standard" measurements would have fit me fine. I also tried styling the shirt with a more retro vibe. Enter a classic grey textured pencil skirt from Vivien of Holloway! Sure, there was some noodling about trying to get all that fullness sitting nicely while tucked in. Time well spent I say. To sum up, I love this shirt. There is something wonderful about garment design that is sensitive to the fabric. I never felt like I was wrestling with the linen to try and make it behave in a way it didn't want. The soft gathering suits the drape of the fabric and honestly, it was a dream to sew. I used the drawing thread method to cut all my rectangles perfectly on grain. It took a lot of time, but the finished garment hangs so beautifully. There is no need for me to make another shirt like this. My sweeping romance dreams are entirely fulfilled! Details:
Shirt: Made my me with white linen from Spotlight. Used these instructions. A well placed Google search will get you to the pattern measurements. Trousers: Made by me Boots: Roc Skirt: Vivien of Holloway If you made it this far, well done. Here is your reward of inspiration pics. From my quick pre-project research, the same shirt design was used for all males (both high and low status), and older, worn shirts became work shirts. You can see the drop shoulder seam, the tight cuff to control the sleeve fullness, and the way the collar can be flipped up for a neck cloth. The sleeves / back neck could be gathered OR tightly pleated for the upper classes. I think George actually has pleated sleeves and ruffled neck openings as he gains more power and wealth through the show. |
AuthorKnitter. Home seamstress. Dance Teacher. Archives
April 2023
Categories
All
|