Falling for the Thayer vest by Julie Hoover
Julie Hoover is an American-based designer whose yarns and patterns can be purchased directly on line at juliehoover.com.
The website offers a tempting collection of knitting patterns for home furnishings, sweaters, and shawls. I guarantee you that Julie’s designs will have you hooked once you take a look!
The Pattern
The Thayer vest, with its soft cable, is a classic design that is a great addition to any wardrobe.
The vest is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up, then sewn together. Neckband and armholes are worked circularly from picked-up stitches. The Cable Patterns may be worked either from charts or from written directions.
I purchased this PDF pattern on Revelry, but it can be purchased directly from Julie Hoover at: Juliehoover.com
If you purchase the yarn from Julie Hoover, then the pattern comes free as a kit.
The Wool
The pattern calls for double knitting 8 ply, Julie Hoover Studio Blend No 1.
However, I used some Debbie Bliss Merino DK from my stash, which I had purchased in a sale many years ago.
The Gauge & Needles
GAUGE
24 stitches & 32 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Left or Right Cable Pattern with Needle A, after blocking
21 stitches & 32 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in stockinette stitch with Needle A, after blocking
Three 8-stitch Left or Right Cable Pattern repeats measure approximately 4″ / 10 cm in width, after blocking
NEEDLES
Needle A (Main Fabric)
One 24″ / 60 cm circular needle
US 6 / 4 mm or size needed to obtain gauge listed
Needle B (for Ribbing)
One each 16″ / 40 cm and 24″ / 60 cm circular needles one size smaller than
Needle A
US 5 / 3.75 mm
Needle C (for Neckband and Armholes)
One 16″ / 40 cm circular needle two sizes smaller than Needle A
US 4 / 3.5 mm
Other Materials
Stitch markers, Cable Needle (CN), stitch holders or waste yarn, blunt tapestry needle, blocking wires & T-pins (optional but recommended)
Knitting The Vest
If you have moderate knitting experience, this pattern is easy to follow.
Once you get into the pattern, which has an 8 row pattern repeat, it becomes a meditative knit. It is the sort of pattern that I like, as you can pick it up and put it down without worrying about where you left off.
The vest is sewn together in flat pieces from the bottom up. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. Neckband and armholes are worked circularly from picked-up stitches.
The Cable Patterns can be worked on either from charts or from written directions. Read RS (odd-numbered) rows from right to left; read WS (even-numbered) rows from left to right.
The patterns are centered on the front and back and extra stitches on either side are worked as knit stitches.
Knitting this vest was so relaxing that I would forget what I was doing! I must admit that I had to unravel it a few times due to missing a stitch or two.
Conclusion
This is a timeless vest pattern, and I love the final texture of the completed cable design.
The Thayer Vest looks great when worn alone or layered over a shirt. It compliments jeans well, but it would also look wonderful when worn layered over a skirt and belted. This is a versatile vest, with just the right amount of ease.
This was a really enjoyable knitting project, and I love the finished garment! I will certainly be knitting another one before too long.
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