I am aiming for a size between the 36 and the 40 -- and not too short. Since the entire piece is knit sideways, I am working the stitch numbers for the size 40 for it’s length, but will shorten the number of rows slightly at the underarm and center back.

I have read several other project pages where knitters said that they thought that the front was too long for the back. One of those said that she used a smaller needle for the lace. Another said that she knit one less repeat of the lace. The way I see it, the combined length of knitting before the shoulder shaping starts (both lace and stockinette) is the key. If you want less overlap when closed, or less front length when worn open, you would have to shorten this dimension. The size 40 has the shoulder shaping start at 10”, I started mine at 8 1/2”.

I am also going up to a very slightly larger needle for the back. I am using size 1-1/2 (2.5mm) for the front, and changing to 2 (2.75) at the center of underarm.

Of course these are only my own educated guesses as to what mods will make a vest that I will like wearing. Time will tell if I am correct…

06-28-14 I like the finished vest. It is slightly odd that there is no neckline shaping, but my modifications worked for the length, and the color goes with everything I normally wear.