Wicker Stitch Baby Vest by Caroline Brooke

Wicker Stitch Baby Vest

Knitting
December 2016
Aran (8 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches
in Wicker Stitch
US 9 - 5.5 mm
165 - 340 yards (151 - 311 m)
0-3 months; 3-6 months; 6-12 months; 12-18 months; 18-24 months
English
This pattern is available from etsy.com for $5.50.

Bang on trend Baby Waistcoat Vest with mock sheepskin edging. Warm, cozy and fun - the perfect winter gift for all beautiful babies and trendy little fashionistas!

This is a great unisex design for boys and girls alike. Gorgeous with Denim, and little Timberland booties or Uggs - stylish knitting that will keep little ones warm throughout the winter - Knitting has never been such fun!

I love sheepskin, and I absolutely love this classic, unusual knitting stitch. Once I’d discovered it, I thought long and hard about how best to use the particular qualities of the fabric it produces. I think the combination of stich and yarn works really well in this design, and the woven effect of wicker stitch is set off really nicely by the fake fur trim - I used Bernat’s Pipsqueak which is simply gorgeous to knit with - watch out for more designs using this fabulous, quick-to-knit yarn.

Instructions are given in the pattern for 5 sizes:-
0-3 months - finished chest 17”.
3-6 months - finished chest 18 1/4”.
6-12 months - finished chest 19 3/4”.
12-18 months - finished chest 21”.
18-24 months - finished chest 22”.
* The vest is designed to be loose fitting so that it can be worn over light sweaters or tops.

You’ll need 100-200g of Worsted yarn depending on the size, and 5.5mm knitting needles (US size 9). You will also need a circular knitting needle of the same size to work the border.

The colored trim adds a lapland effect perfect for winter, and is worked in slip stitch crochet, which is really simple. There is a photo tutorial with plenty of pictures so it’s easy to follow - you DON’T have to be great at crochet to do it. If you’re really worried you could leave it out, and simply stitch on a plaited braid or cord instead.

The wicker stitch is very easy but does take a bit of practice. For this reason the pattern is graded as INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - you need to be used to knitting plain and purl well, and to reading simple knitting patterns. It’s a really great stitch and totally addictive - I absolutely love the finished fabric it produces. I give a full photo tutorial in the pattern, and a link to a video demonstration which is very useful.