Just in time for the party

I nearly wanted to give up the Train Track Slipover/Vest/Tank Top (personally, I've always known this type of garment as a vest) because of the armhole bands. The first try was made as written, 2 rows of garter stitch and it flared out so horribly that I ripped it off immediately while I knitted on the bus yesterday morning and immediately re-did it in single rib which didn't look good either.

When I sat down with the unappealing lump of cables all scrunched up on my lap yesterday evening, I thought I would not have anymore strength to continue making a loser. Then I remembered the earlier Trellis Cardigan experience and my new iron with that neat steam function. So away I went making the iron spray and puff steam onto the vest with the needle still on the armhole and and the lump got magically transformed into this handsome little top. I'm not exaggerating when I called it 'the lump', you can see a photo here. Any last doubt about the power of blocking is now gone.

Edited to add: Thanks to Katie who reminded me about the neckband. I had to do that twice too. The first time in a normal cast off which was too tight. The second attempt, I tried the EZ sewn cast off which is real stretchy and now should allow the little nephew's head to pass through.

It feels good to have it completed just in time for the party which was wonderful! Only that the little nephew was already fast asleep when the gift was opened.

BTW, has anybody got any idea how to graft seed stitch? All done for the Trellis Cardigan except the grafting of the two ends of the collars together.

Comments

[Ell]

Oh, it's adorable! I hope that they loved it. Re: Trellis...I copped out and did a 3 needle bind off. The thought of grafting seed stitch makes me break out in hives.

[P]

Do you know how to graft purl-wise? You just alternate purl and knit. I've done it but it's a right old pain.

[Chrissy]

I love it!!

[Sue]

Gorgeous vest. I hope your grafting turns out okay for the seed stitch collar. I am sure it will all work out lovely.

[Marlena]

Adorable! Yet also sophisticated enough that I would wear it myself.

I've never grafted seed stitch, but I have grafted cables that had knit and purl stitches. I just reversed the order in which I wove the yarn. Where I usually do "weave as if to knit in the front stitch, drop, weave as if to purl into the next stitch..." I would weave as if to knit in the second stitch, as well, to make a purl. I hope I explained that right.

[Jenn]

So precious! I wish I could see it on the little guy! I've never grafted seed stitch either. Sounds daunting.

[brooke]

The cables look great after a little steam. As for trellis, hmm, not sure. I just grafted the standard way on my trellis, probably why I wasn't completely satisfied with the finishing around the collar.

[katie]

It turned out beautifully, Siow Chin! I had some trouble with the neckband when I made that vest for my son. I ended up having to make one shoulder a button-closed shoulder. I knitted that darn neckband a hundred times, using a bigger needle each time, and I could never squeeze it over his noggin. I hope I have better luck with the Bookworm sweater I'm knitting now.

I hope you'll be able to share some photos of him wearing it!

[mary]

I think you should show the before and after of the lump. Such drama! Who could ask for anything more in a blog.

[fleur]

It' a very nice gift!

[Jennifer]

It came out so cute!

[Dorothy]

Well done - it is just the cutest thing. You'll have to get a picture of him modeling his vest. I am a great believer in the power of blocking. It can truly work wonders.

[joy]

Yay, you got it done on time!
I think I should block my train track vest too; it's kind of skinny.

[Kimberly]

That vest looks great. It is so amazing the difference that blocking makes in finishing a garment. Hope your nephew models it for us!
=:8

[diana]

Lovely! You convinced me about the importance of steamblocking.

[Lynn]

Beautiful! I'm sure he'll look right dapper in it. :)

[meg]

The miracle of blocking is right! How beautiful the finished vest is!

Congrats on sticking with it.

[erin]

The vest turned out perfect! It's so adorable, I feel like knitting a vest for my son too. And I'm really glad to hear about the miracle of blocking cables because my cardiagn looks too slim for me and the cables are all bunched together, just like in your before photo. But now I'm sure blocking will make it fit and look nicer too. Thanks for the info.

[mimi]

The vest looks so charming and it's amazing what some blocking can do. The change to a ribbing stitch on the armholes gave a neater look.

[Jenny]

Super cute!

[handknit168]

It is great that it turns out perfect.

[Courtney]

Very nice! It should look smashing on him! I always love when we put that much work into the knitted gifts and then the little ones are so tuckered out that they are sleeping when the gift is unveiled! I am sure he'll appreciate it as soon as he get to wear it for the first time. I will never again underestimate the power of steam!
No idea how to graft seed stitch, sorry. Actually, my finishing skills in general leave A LOT to be desired. Good luck!

[Michelle]

wow. that vest is gorgeous!! after all the hard work, it's definitely worth it :)