This ladies vest is knit with colorwork patterning, featuring a larger stylized iris pattern at the bottom hem, and more traditional Fair Isle
patterning bands inspired by neatly planted rows of growing, leafy
things. The vest is knit in the round from the ribbed hem upwards. Steeks are worked for the armholes and V-neckline. Once the body is completed, the shoulders are grafted together and the steeks are
then cut open and finished using 2x2 ribbing to match the lower hem.

The sample was knit using 6 colors of Rauma’s Finullgarn - 1 main color and 5 contrast colors. Sample was knit in size 37 3/4 and is shown here with 2” of positive ease. Note that for the smallest 2 sizes you will need only minimal amounts of the second ball of the contrast colors, so if using a slightly longer put-up and substituting yarns, you may be able to knit the vest in those sizes with only 1 ball of each CC.

Pattern assumes a knowledge of knitting in the round, basic colorwork skills, chart-reading, and steeking techniques.

The Celtic festival of Ostara, traditionally celebrated at the time of the spring equinox (on or around March 21st), marks the point in the yearly calendar when the times of daylight and darkness are equal, and heralds the first day of what we consider spring. Planting festivals and all things young and green were the focus of this celebration.