Munro is a classic V-neck vest (tank top or sleeveless pullover) recreated from an original garment held in the Shetland Museum Archives and which was knitted in the 1930s. No pattern previously existed for this design, so Susan has written the pattern by painstakingly ‘reading’ the vintage garment stitch by stitch, line by line.

Munro is a traditional style vest - unshaped with a deep corrugated rib welt, repeated on the armbands and neck bands. Like many of the knits from this period, this vest is gender-neutral in shaping and style and our updated multi-sized pattern reflects this. To achieve a more contemporary fit, two upper body widths are provided for each size, with a wider, dropped shoulder line on the more traditional fit and a second option with a less wide shoulder line sitting higher on the body. Choose which option you would prefer before commencing to work the upper body of your vest.

Munro is knitted in the round from the bottom up. Steeks are placed at armholes and V-neck so the garment can be knitted in the round throughout. The shoulder stitches are joined using the three needle cast off method. Charts are provided for each pattern size along with a corresponding Steek Chart. It is important to ensure you are working from the chart for the size you are knitting. Due to the length of the charts each size is split into two sections with the corresponding Steek Chart alongside.

Munro is knitted using Excelana North fingering weight, 100% British wool, and is the perfect yarn for colour work garments. Munro is shown in a choice of two colourways - Colourway One uses Limestone as the background shade, with Loam, Dark Mandarin, Farm Gate and Powdered Egg used for the patterning. Colourway Two uses Alabaster as the background shade, with Persian Grey, Dark Mandarin, Sweet Chestnut and Powdered Egg for the patterning.

Ria is shown wearing the 2nd size to fit chest 86–92cm (34–36in) in Colourway One, worn with zero ease and Richard is shown wearing the 7th size to fit chest 137–147cm (54–58in) in Colourway Two, worn with zero ease.

The pattern includes instructions for seven sizes to fit from 30 inch (76cm) 58 inch (147cm) chest and includes both written and charted instructions plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.

Yarn kits are also available.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Excelana 4 Ply, 100% British wool
(159m/174yds per 50g skein)
3 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8) skeins, shade Limestone or Alabaster - Yarn A
2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6) skeins, shade Loam or Persian Grey - Yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein, shade Dark Mandarin - Yarn C
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skeins, shade Farm Gate or Sweet Chestnut - Yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein, shade Powdered Egg - Yarn E

Suggested needles

Small needles:
2.25mm (US 1) circular needle (60cm in length)
2.25mm (US 1) circular needle (80-100cm in length)
Large needles:
3mm (US 2.5) circular needle (80-100cm in length
Spare needle:
3mm (US 2.5) needle

Gauge
31 sts and 32 rounds = 10cm (4in) measured over stranded colourwork, worked in the round.
We obtained this gauge using 3mm needles.

Notions
Waste yarn or stitch holders
Stitch markers
Safety pin

Techniques
Knitting in the round
Following a chart
Knitting stranded colourwork
Cutting and finishing a steek