In 2005, Surly and I took a trip to Scotland where we had the ultimate honor of attending a class held by the legendary Alice Starmore herself. In the class, she cut the steek of her Oregon Cardigan, Autumn Colourway. I was hooked! I immediately embarked on that knitting journey, which was chronicled here in the blog for MONTHS. Fifteen years have passed and alas, my cardi no longer fits (I blame the sweater 😉 ). So, I decided to reknit Oregon, but as a vest this time. My husband got the kit for me as a Christmas present (“John, you bought me this kit for Christmas!”), but I opened it a week early!!
I decided to knit it at a looser gauge. The cardi had a potholder-like, felted quality to the fabric. I am so glad I did! It looks less refined when held up to the cardigan, but that is never going to happen!! The vest took me a month. Retirement (and no children in the house!), not faster knitting, is the secret!!
I used the buttons purchased for Elizabeth of York — they are gorgeous!! I gave my Elizabeth of York to Surly because it didn’t fit (I blame the vest 😉 ).
I searched everywhere, including my old class notes, to find a really nice buttonhole for corrugated ribbing, but wasn’t thrilled. So I invented one!! It is virtually invisible and accommodates this fairly large button — a tight fit, but it does work. I wouldn’t want to button/unbutton often, but I believe it will get easier with use. I describe it in detail on my Ravelry project page. I am experimenting with this BH for regular 2×2 ribbing. It looks great if done starting on the wrong side, like I did for this vest. I am going to keep trying!
For old times sake, here is the original cardigan:
The good news is, the vest DOES fit!
PS to Poodletail: I used a US sz 5 for the bottom ribbing and the body of the vest. I used a US 4 for the armbands and buttonbands, but should have used a 3 for the WS rows of the buttonband.
Absolutely gorgeous. Totally understand those shrinking sweaters (and other things)!
Comment by Amy — January 18, 2022 @ 12:13 pm
Really beautiful vest, Susan.
Re buttoning and unbuttoning, I’ve taken to never undoing the buttons on cardigans and vests, just put them on like pullovers. For most of them, I never wore them unbuttoned anyway. Saves time 😉
Comment by Anne C. — January 18, 2022 @ 1:17 pm
Saw it on Rav yesterday—love it, the buttons and the buttonhole method.
Comment by Elaine in NYC — January 18, 2022 @ 3:30 pm
Lovely! Did you enjoy it as much, knitting it a second time? Or was it so long ago, it didn’t matter? I have been sorting through my hand-knits lately, which mostly all fit, thanks to knitting less fitted things in the past, but don’t all suit. It’s been good to find new homes for things.
I have knit several Starmore things, but the only thing I still own is Sheilavig, knit so long ago it’s not in my Ravelry. It’s so dense, it may double as a bullet-proof vest. I broke more than one needle making it.
Comment by Pam — January 18, 2022 @ 6:25 pm
Yes, yes, this is the State Fair photo which got ME started! Is it possible to block and stretch to combat the pesky closet shrinkage?
The new vest is lovely, the buttons perfect, and I’m off to check out your buttonhole instructions. If you’re in the Alice Starmore Knitting Group on FB Jade posts fairly regularly, including her WIP (just ONE at a time!!), sources for buttons, she shares the ones she’s used and occasionally asks for assistance in choosing between two or three styles. I always get a fangirl thrill if she likes or replies to one of my comments <3 How I would have loved to take one of Alice's classes; friends who've met her say she's extremely nice.
Comment by Pru — January 18, 2022 @ 6:54 pm
Lovely, Susan! I’ve had the Oregon cardigan kit in my stash for about a decade. As I don’t often wear cardigans (I blame the weather – inside MN joke) I’ve lately fondled the wool and considered a vest. May I ask which size needles did you use? Looking forward to studying your corrugated ribbing buttonhole. You have that most delightful brain: a combination of artist and engineer. Kudos.
Comment by poodletail — January 18, 2022 @ 8:40 pm
Ahh the pesky vest syndrome— I am suffering from that as well!
The vest is gorgeous— wear it in good health!
I can not even begin to imagine how amazing it must have to go to Scotland, and to meet Alice Starmore, let alone to take a class with her— that really is living the dream!!
Comment by Pat Olski — January 18, 2022 @ 10:32 pm
More lovely than the sweater! Wear it in good health!!!
Comment by MARILYN NANCE — January 19, 2022 @ 11:21 am
Gorgeous.
Comment by Chloe — January 23, 2022 @ 9:57 pm
I know the feeling about sweaters “shrinking”, I was in the middle of a sweater for my husband but it took so long even to get to the “middle” when I realized it had already “shrunk” to the stage it will never fit him. Thinking of steeking it in the front and putting a wide border on and making it into a vest. After all creation is part of knitting.
Comment by Pippa Jones — January 25, 2022 @ 3:28 pm
I was on that same trip as you to have Alice as our teacher. She was
super wonderful and i had breakfast with her early one mornimg in the dining room.
What i most remember about her is how patiently she listened to class members ideas even if they were different from her own.
Comment by Janet Kovach — January 26, 2022 @ 2:55 pm
What a S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G vest! How could it get any more beautiful?! Sure hope you wear it to Panera!
Comment by Kathy W. — January 26, 2022 @ 11:09 pm
Thanks, Susan, for the advice and, as always, the inspiration.
Comment by Catherine S Smegal — January 30, 2022 @ 5:17 pm
It’s fabulous, of course.
Now I’m off to read the buttonhole details!
Comment by Denise — February 3, 2022 @ 9:14 pm
Stunning
Comment by Gail — March 5, 2022 @ 9:58 pm
I so enjoy your Website. You are multi talented.
Comment by Jeanne Campbell — April 16, 2022 @ 2:48 pm