Gertrude by Susan Crawford

Gertrude

Knitting
November 2023
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10)
Flag of English English

Gertrude is a classic fitted vest featuring a Fair Isle-style pattern to the front and a corresponding check pattern to the back. The front neck has a low, round contour, reminiscent of 1970s tank tops.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10)

To fit: 76–81 (86, 92–97, 102, 107–112, 117) (122–127, 132–137, 142, 147–152) cm / 30–32 (34, 36–38, 40, 42–44, 46) (48–50, 52–54, 56, 58–60) in

Recommended ease: –2.5 to +2.5 cm / –1 to +1 in at chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest circumference: 77.5 (85, 93, 100.5, 108.5, 116) (124, 131.5, 139.5, 147) cm / 31 (34, 37.25, 40.25, 43.5, 46.5) (49.5, 52.5, 55.75, 58.75) in
Length to armhole: 21.5 (21.5, 21.5, 23.5, 23.5, 23.5) (26, 26, 27, 27) cm / 8.5 (8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5) (10.5, 10.5, 10.75, 10.75) in
Armhole depth: 20 (20, 22, 21, 23.5, 23.5) (24, 24, 26, 26) cm / 8 (8, 8.75, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5) (9.5, 9.5, 10.5, 10.5) in
Finished length: 41.5 (41.5, 43.5, 44.5, 47, 47) (50, 50, 53, 53) cm / 16.5 (16.5, 17.5, 17.75, 18.75, 18.75) (20, 20, 21.25, 21.25) in
Cross back: 24.5 (26, 26.5, 27.5, 29.5, 29.5) (31, 32.5, 32.5, 33.5) cm / 9.75 (10.5, 10.5, 11, 11.75, 11.75) (12.5, 13, 13, 13.5) in
Back neck width: 13 (13, 13.5, 13.5, 15.5, 15.5) (15.5, 15.5, 15.5, 15.5) cm / 5.25 (5.25, 5.5, 5.5, 6.25, 6.25) (6.25, 6.25, 6.25, 6.25) in

Samples shown in Size 3, Colourway One (on Ruth) and Size 5, Colourway Two (on Susan).

YARN
Susan Crawford Byre, 100% British wool, a unique blend of Jacob, white Shetland and black Shetland, fingering weight (400 m / 436 yds per 100 g skein approx)

Colourway One
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) skeins, shade Heather – Yarn A
1 skein, shade Dry Stone Wall – Yarn B
1 skein, shade Clay – Yarn C
1 skein, shade Moss Covered Wall – Yarn D
1 skein, shade Room of My Own – Yarn E
1 skein, shade Ragwort – Yarn F
1 skein, shade Undergrowth – Yarn G
1 skein, shade Sunset Over the Bay – Yarn H
1 skein, shade Plum Jam – Yarn J
1 skein, shade Glimpse of the Sea – Yarn K
1 skein, shade Night Sky – Yarn L

Colourway Two
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) skeins, shade Denim – Yarn A
1 skein, shade Jack ‘O’ Lantern – Yarn B
1 skein, shade Rusty Tractor – Yarn C
1 skein, shade Loam – Yarn D
1 skein, shade Sunset Over the Bay – Yarn E
1 skein, shade Glimpse of the Sea – Yarn F
1 skein, shade Fence Post – Yarn G

Or fingering-weight yarn as follows:
Colourway One
224 (245, 280, 309, 352, 375) (425, 450, 505, 531) m  / 245 (268, 306, 338, 385, 410) (464, 492, 552, 581)  yds – Yarn A

32 (35, 40, 45, 51, 54) (61, 65, 73, 76) m / 35 (39, 44, 49, 55, 59) (67, 71, 79, 83) yds – Yarns B, D, F, G, H and J

48 (53, 60, 67, 76, 81) (91, 97, 109, 114) m / 53 (58, 66, 73, 83, 88) (100, 106, 119, 125) yds – Yarn C

16 (18, 20, 23, 26, 28) (31, 33, 37, 38) m / 18 (20, 22, 25, 28, 30) (34, 36, 40, 42) yds – Yarns E, K and L

Colourway Two
290 (317, 363, 400, 456, 486) (551, 584, 655, 689) m / 318 (347, 397, 438, 499, 532) (602, 639, 717, 754) yds –  Yarn A

87 (96, 109, 120, 137, 146) (165, 175, 197, 207) m / 96  (104, 120, 132, 150, 160) (181, 192, 215, 227) yds –  Yarn B

58 (64, 73, 80, 92, 98) (111, 117, 131, 138) m / 64 (70, 80, 88, 100, 107) (121, 128, 144, 151) yds –  Yarns C and D

73 (80, 91, 101, 114, 122) (138, 146, 164, 173) m / 80 (87, 100, 110, 125, 133) (151, 160, 180, 189) yds –  Yarns E and G

29 (32, 37, 40, 46, 49) (56, 59, 66, 69) m / 32 (35, 40, 44, 50, 54) (61, 64, 72, 76) yds – Yarn F

GAUGE
31 sts and 34 rounds = 10 cm / 4 in over stranded colourwork worked in the round, after blocking.

We obtained this gauge using 3 mm needles.

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Small needles: 2.5 mm (US 1/2) circular needle (80–100 cm / 32–40 in), 2.5 mm (US 1/2) circular needle (40–50 cm / 16–24 in)

Large needles: 3 mm (US 2/3) circular needle (80–100 cm / 32–40 in)

NOTIONS
Waste yarn, spare needle for graft­ing shoulders (optional), tapestry needle, scissors