I'm so proud of this. It's not nearly as hideous as anything else I've done just yet. Mom seemed pleased, although when I gave it to her, it was about 90 degrees outside.
I started this on February 27, and actually manged to finish all of the pieces by April. But it sat in the basket for months because I was afraid of blocking and seaming it. Actually, by the time I got around to doing so, I'd gotten a bit better at seaming and the the process went rather quickly and easily.
It's still a bit of a mess, which better blocking could have helped.
METHOD:
This is from a LionBrand free pattern, using LB HomeSpun and 9 and 10 needles. I found some Swarovski crystal buttons on clearance, and used those to give some bling to an otherwise folksy and chunky look.
This piece used a little over 4 skeins. This piece, for mom, could probably have been a little bigger, but it seems to fit okay and stretches like crazy.
AND WHAT DID WE LEARN?
1. HomeSpun stripes! In a rather cool way.
2. Not to forget the top buttonhole. I sort of made one for this vest, but I need to remember to actually KNIT one the next time.
3. Sewing the buttons exactly opposite the holes is hard. I need to learn a better way to do this, so the buttons are even. Although I did figure out the buttons had to be sewn off center, in order to close right.
I'm right happy with this one!
