So excited to test this beautiful pattern!

My gauge swatch was spot on - but then I’ve knitted to this gauge with the same yarn and needles before so was expecting it would be good. The yarn - Hayton 4 ply - is one of my all time favourites, so soft and cosy but with excellent stitch definition - and this gorgeous colour has been sitting in my yarn cabinet for quite some time waiting for the right project so it’s a joy to use it.

14 Feb - made a good start with a little lazy Sunday morning knitting. The stitch pattern is beautiful and rather addictive to knit, and I feel this is going to be a very quick project. I’m envisioning wearing it well before the blossoms on my beautiful cherry tree burst open - I’m that impatient for spring!

15 Feb. My morning knitting has brought me to the beginning of the front armhole shaping. Hoping to find some time later to knit my way to the point where I join for the body. Loving the construction of this vest and watching it grow.

…later on the 15th … front and back joined and I’ve knitted about an inch of the body. Giving it a very light block before picking up stitches for the armband and neckband - this yarn is so soft and tends to roll easily so will be better lightly blocked. I used a 2.75mm needle for the armhole and neck bands and it worked out perfectly - neater, smaller stitches always make for a nester rib. Picked up stitches 3 out of every 4 as I wanted a the neckband wider and also to compensate for the smaller needle size. Very happy with the fit.

20 Feb. This has been set aside for a few days whilst I finished another test but I picked it up again this evening and am now really close to finishing. Another 2 or 3cm of pattern then the rib and voilà! Hoping to finish this in the morning

22 Feb. Finally finished - this has blocked so beautifully and I can see it getting a lot of wear - even though I’m not a pink person in general - it goes really well with many colours and will be a wonderful spring staple