There are only 210 chalk streams in the world, 85% of them are in England & almost all the lowland ones are found in Norfolk.
The Wensum is Norfolk’s largest chalk river. It takes its name from the old Anglo-saxon word wandsum or wendsum, meaning ‘winding’. Rising out of the chalk in the northwest it wends its way through villages, farmland & watermeadows onto Norwich where it merges with the River Yare.
It’s a soft slow river that takes its time to get where its going. Its clear, shallow waters & banks are rich in flora & fauna. The Wensum Way, a 12 mile route, follows the river through the Carrick Estate near Swanton Morley at Penny Spot Beck. Its one of my favourite places & inspired the colourwork motifs in this design.

PATTERN NOTES

The vest features a stranded colourwork design on the front. The back is knitted plain. You could of course do your own thing and repeat the colourwork on the back. Button band fastening to the sides gives a tabbard twist on the tank top. The fronts and backs are knitted flat bottom up. The button bands are a continuation of the ribbed hem. The stitches are set aside whilst the fronts and backs are worked. The stitches are then picked up from the ribbed hem and knitted separately up to the armholes. The bands are sewn into place before the stitches are incorporated into the armbands for a neat finish.

SIZING

Finished chest circumference 82 (87, 92, 97, 102, 107, 112, 117, 122, 127) cm | 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50) in

Sizing guidance
All measurements given for actual garment measurement. Ease is your preference. Shown in size 6 giving 5 cm (2 in) of positive ease.

YARN

Fibreworkshop Norfolk horn 4-ply Natural (100% wool / 50g /approx 207m | 226yds) 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins

Fibreworkshop Norfolk Horn natural dyed 4-ply (100% wool 25g / approx 103m | 113yds) in the following shades:
CC1 Coreopsis 3 : 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skeins
CC2 Dock : 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skeins
CC3 Indigo 5 : 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins

GAUGE

33 sts and 42 rows = 10cm | 4in in St-st over pattern using larger needles

NEEDLES

2.25mm (UK 13 / US 1) needles
2.75mm (UK12 /US2 ) needles
Needle sizes a guide. Change needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.

NOTIONS

10 x 0.75cm buttons; stitch holders or waste yarn

Large darning needle