The Winter Tree Vest was inspired by a beautiful tree I saw silhouetted against the sky in a paddock recently. As a deep dark forest dweller, I really do love trees. :)

This is a wool vest with waist shaping and a scoop neck, worked flat from the bottom up in two colours. The shoulders have slightly more width than a normal vest, as I find this line more flattering than narrow straps. I also find it better if you tend to carry a messenger bag slung across your body.

The vest has a stripey back, contrasting rib edgings which are picked up and knit flat, and a tree embroidery worked entirely in chain stitch after the vest is complete, which gives it a nice relief effect. The embroidery is simple but effective, and would work equally well on a cushion cover, or even shrunk down for a pocket.

Materials:

2 x 4mm (US 6) needles (the neck and armhole ribbing are worked flat, but you may find a circular easier to use)
2 x 5mm (US 8) needles
2 x stitch holders
Darning/tapestry needle
Tearaway stabiliser (or similar) for working embroidery

Yarn:

Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 8ply, 100% wool, 400m/437 yds per 200g ball
1 x ball Graphite Col. 970
1 x ball Elm Col. 947

Approximate yardage:

Main Colour (MC) Green:
290 (300, 320, 340, 360, 380) metres
317 (328, 349, 372, 393, 415) yards

Colour 2 (Col.2) Grey:
240 (255, 270, 285, 300, 320) metres
229 (279, 295, 312, 328, 349) yards