Strata by Jacqueline Cieslak

Strata

Knitting
January 2023
Light Fingering ?
22 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
540 - 1485 yards (494 - 1358 m)
9 sizes by finished full body circumference of 32.75-67.75"/82-170cm
English
This pattern is available for $9.00 USD buy it now

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DESCRIPTION

STRATA is the ultimate knit layering piece. This vest combines timeless simplicity with four-seasons versatility for a piece that works equally well as a standalone tank, under your favorite overalls, over a drapey blouse or gathered dress, or under a partially unbuttoned duster. With 9 sizes, instructions and yarn requirements for cropped or full length, video tutorials for the German short rows and picking up stitches, and instructions for optional bust darts, this quick knit is sure to become a year-round staple in your wardrobe.
 
 
SIZING

All of my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive up to at least a 60” full chest circumference.

To choose your size, measure the circumference of your torso around the fullest part of your bust/chest and choose the size that fits with 5-10” of positive ease. If you are between sizes, choose the size that will get you closest to 2-6” of positive ease at the hips.

Sizes by finished body circumference:
In inches: (32.75, 38, 42.5) [46.75, 51.25, 55.5] {60, 64.25, 67.75}
In centimeters: (82, 93, 104) [115, 126, 137] {148, 159, 170}

In the pattern photos, the blue vest is a cropped size 7 with no bust darts worn with 5”/12.5cm of positive ease, and the gray vest is a full length size 8 with size B bust darts worn with 10”/25cm of positive ease.

To see how Strata looks across the size range with varying amounts of ease, check out the test knitting round up here!
 
 
GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette after blocking

Recommended needles:

  • Main needles: US 4 (3.5mm) 32”/80cm circular needle
  • Smaller needles: US 2.5 (3.0mm) 24”/60cm circular needle for ribbing

Notions: stitch markers, locking stitch markers, darning needle
 
 
YARN

This vest is designed for a fingering weight wool/wool blend. I used Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering (100% SW Merino, 100g / 437yds / 400m) in color “Hero” and Purl Soho Line Weight (100% Merino, 100g / 494yds / 451m) in color “Dove Gray.”

CROPPED:
Yards: (540, 590, 650) [700, 750, 800] {865, 925, 990}
Meters: (490, 535, 595) [640, 685, 730] {785, 845, 900}

FULL LENGTH:
Yards: (810, 885, 975) [1050, 1125, 1200] {1300, 1390, 1485}
Meters: (735, 805, 895) [960, 1030, 1095] {1180, 1270, 1350}

Other suitable yarns:

$
Holst Garn Supersoft
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Sport
BC Garn Bio Balance GOTS

$$
Malabrigo Finito
The Fibre Co. Amble

$$$
Magpie Fibers Swanky Sock
Wandering Flock Fingering Singles
Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering

 
VIDEO TUTORIALS

STRATA includes the following original video tutorials:

  1. German short rows
  2. Pick up & knit (pu&k)
  3. Pick up & knit (specifically for the shoulders)

 

SHARING

☀️ See pictures of other Strata vests and share pictures of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag #StrataVest. Be sure to tag @jacquelinecieslak too! ☀️