My Finished Peony Vest

I finished my Peony Vest! I started this before my Olga Jacket, before my Lucky Stars Beanie, and before my Upstream Sweater. The knitting itself was quick, but I took breaks to work on other stuff. Then it took me a long while to decide on buttons, and then it took another long while for the buttons to arrive.

I knit a size 2. For yarn, I used Malabrigo Chunky in 192 Periwinkle. For needles, I used the recommended size of 6mm. For buttons, I used these 18mm black abalone buttons.

Overall, this was a fun project. The pattern is well-written and easy to follow. The Malabrigo Chunky made this work up really quickly, and it was super soft to work with, although mine did have a pretty distinct vinegar smell the whole time I was working with it. The finishing was by far the most time-consuming and least fun part of this project. Between the neckline and the 2 armholes and the 2 button bands, there was just a lot of ribbing and Italian bind off. 

My feelings about the pattern itself are uncomplicated: fantastic. My feelings about the finished item as a garment in my wardrobe that I may or may not choose to wear, a little bit of a different story. I noticed just taking try-on pictures that this isn’t necessarily a throw on over whatever type of garment. It’s more something you build an outfit around than something you add to one. I’m not sure how often I’ll actually want to do that. I know I feel attached to it, that much I can say, because when my friend Megan mentioned wanting it I immediately felt possessive of it. At least for now—I might feel differently later on if it sits in my pile of knits never getting worn.

P.S. I’m taking next week off from posting, so I’ll be back with a new post in October!