This pattern is currently only available as part of A Stitch In Time Volume 3 - The Colourwork Edition.

Excelsior is a stylish button-fronted knitted vest pattern first published as a single sized pattern in the 1940s by Copley’s in the UK. This classic example of a knitted vest features all-over stranded colourwork motifs, plus a deep ribbed welt and front v-neck opening with ribbed bands.

Two options are included in the updated pattern; the first to work a shaped lower body as in the original pattern; the second to work a straight lower body. Both options include instructions for a choice of three lengths, short, medium or long and both options provide instructions for 12 chest sizes to fit from 28-62 inches (71-157cm).

All versions are knitted in the round with a centre front steek and armhole steeks.

Excelsior is knitted using Susan Crawford Byre fingering weight a natural grey fingering weight 100% British wool, spun for us in nearby Yorkshire and dyed in-house by Susan and her team. Seven shades are used for this beautiful vest with Susan choosing a tonal selection of browns, rusts and oranges set against the natural grey of Byre, but would look fabulous in all manner of combinations!

Our model Susan is shown wearing Colourway One in the 6th size medium length to fit 107-112cm (42-44in) chest.

The pattern includes instructions for twelve sizes to fit chest measurements between 71cm (28in) and 157cm (62in) and contains both clear written pattern directions, together with charted instructions, plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.

A yarn kit is also available containing all the hand-dyed Byre yarn required to knit Excelsior.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Byre, 100% British wool, a unique blend of Jacob, white Shetland and black Shetland fleeces, Fingering weight (400m / 436yds per 100g skein approx)
Short Length
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 100g skeins, shade Sunset Over the Bay or yarn A
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Jack O’Lantern or yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Loam or yarn C
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Clay or yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Fence Post or yarn E
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) 25g skein, shade Dry Stone Wall or yarn F
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) 25g skein, shade Rusty Tractor or yarn G

Medium Length
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 100g skeins, shade Sunset Over the Bay or yarn A
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Jack O’Lantern or yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Loam or yarn C
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Clay or yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Fence Post or yarn E
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade Dry Stone Wall or yarn F
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade Rusty Tractor or yarn G

Long Length
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 100g skeins, shade Sunset Over the Bay or yarn A
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Jack O’Lantern or yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Loam or yarn C
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Clay or yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade Fence Post or yarn E
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade Dry Stone Wall or yarn F
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade Rusty Tractor or yarn G

Suggested needles
Small needles: 2.75mm (US 2) circular needle (60-100 cm / 24-40 in)
2.75mm (US 2) circular needle (40 cm / 16 in)
Large needles: 3mm (US 3) circular needle (60-100 cm / 24-40 in)
Spare 3mm (US 3) needle

Gauge
32 sts and 32rounds = 10cm / 4in over stranded colourwork worked in the round, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 3mm needles.

Notions
Waste yarn, stitch markers, 2 removable stitch markers (optional), tapestry needle, scissors, 8 (9, 10) buttons.

Techniques
Knitting in the round
Following a chart
Steeking