This pattern is currently only available as part of A Stitch in Time Volume 3, the colourwork edition.

Plaid is a ‘chic’ waistcoat first published as a single size pattern in March 1951, with traditional waistcoat shaping of shaped lower front edgings and side shaping.

The waistcoat is knitted flat in separate pieces and then sewn together with bands knitted separately and then sewn into place. Horizontal stripes are worked throughout with vertical stripes added after completion, by embroidering contrasting stripes of chain stitch up the length of the waistcoat as shown.
Alternatively, the vertical stripes can be omitted with the waistcoat looking great as a simple horizontally striped piece.

Plaid is designed to sit on the waist just like a traditional waistcoat, but the length can easily be adjusted for a perfect fit by working fewer or more rows in the straight sections after the side edge shaping sections have been worked on the back and fronts.

Plaid is knitted using Excelana North fingering weight a soft, fingering weight 100% British wool, spun for us in nearby Yorkshire and dyed in-house by Susan and her team. Shown here using shades; Lime Stone, Siren, English Mustard, Land Army Green and Charcoal for the main body, plus Cornflower Blue when working the vertical stripes.

Susan is shown wearing the 3rd size to fit 107-112cm (42-44in) chest.

The pattern includes instructions for eight sizes to fit chest measurements between 76cm (30in) and 152cm (60in) and contains clear written pattern directions, plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.

A yarn kit is available containing all the hand-dyed Excelana yarn required to knit Plaid.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Excelana North fingering weight, 100% British wool, 75% Cheviot, 25% Bluefaced Leicester (159m / 174yds per 50g skein approx)
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skeins, shade Siren
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Land Army Green
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Lime Stone
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein, shade English Mustard
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein, shade Charcoal
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein, shade Cornflower Blue

Gauge
28 sts and 36 rows = 10cm (4in) over plaid pattern. We obtained this gauge using 3.25mm needles.
If necessary use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Suggested needles
Small Needles: 2.75mm (US 2) needles - circular or straight
Large Needles: 3.25mm (US 3) needles - circular or straight

Notions
2 removable markers
5 buttons

Techniques
Shaped knitting
Working stripes
Sewing up a garment
Attaching ribbed bands Blocking
Embroidering chain stitch onto garment