Two great tastes that taste great together

I feel like I should say that, off the bat, I'm not a fan of doubling yarns.  Inherently, I am somewhat of a lazy knitter and like to focus on other things while I'm knitting- mostly television, other people sometimes, and, more recently, books (I had almost forgotten that I knew how to read).  So I just feel like doubling yarn more than doubles the chance that I'm going to split a stitch, or get something tangled, or some other version of buffoonery that only I could devise.

But I didn't have a single trouble with this, and I almost think that having the yarn doubled makes this pattern work- while most of the vest is in k1p1 ribbing, the fuzziness of the Blue Sky Brushed Suri (the other yarn being BSA Alpaca Silk) helps obscure some of the unevenness that comes with that very detail.

And I read my way through many pages while working on this- Case Histories (the best of my recent reads, would definitely recommend it, and it's available in the bargain bin at Borders, so you can't argue with that) and the first third of A Cook's Tour (far better than my other recent food read, Cooking for Mr. Latte).

The end result?  Kind of like my feelings towards Chuck Klosterman IV- I both couldn't savor it properly or devour it quickly enough.  I know that sentence is a complete mish-mash, but I feel like if you have any remote interest in pop culture (although I think my two favorite essays were the ones on robots and the Olympics), you need to read this book (I saw it at my local Target- and if it's out here in Boonesville, then it's in your hood, too).  I never really thought I would use the words vest and sexy in the same sentence, but I felt surprisingly so when I tried this on (and the pattern pic is very naughty secretary, in a very upstanding, stylish way). 

Alas, it was a sample, so it is now living in Minnesota, but this will definitely be on my personal shortlist.  Unlike, say, a revisit of The Doctor's Wife (why have I not yet learned to pretend there are no quotes on bookcovers?).

Comments

[5elementknitr]

I love that vest! Where can I get the pattern??

[Debbie]

That vest looks great on you. Loved Kitchen Confidential! My brother-in-law who is a chief turned me on to that book

[Donna]

See, I liked Cooking for Mr. Latte, maybe because I was sure I would loathe it and didn't; my expectations were low. The vest is beautiful - I love the bone color you chose, and once again, I find myself admiring a BSA pattern. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Stephanie]

It's *very* sexy secretary -- love it! Almost as much as I love your necklace.

Case Histories is one of my favorite recent reads too. I read an excerpt of Cooking for Mr. Latte when it came out and found her so annoying that I will never read it. With memoir-y books, I have to feel like I'd at least want to chat with the writer for a few minutes at a party. Her: no.

[Amy]

Looks great!

[Karen]

Love the vest...REALLY love the necklace!

[Kaitie Tee]

Very cute vest - I'm not usually a fan of suri yarn, but it definitely works for this pattern.

[Jo]

I think the vest is very flattering on you - I especially like the muted colour.

[michaele]

Love it! And the jewelry.

[michaele]

oh - and speaking of naughty secretaries, the latest Anthropologie catalog is all naughty schoolteacher. Must be the thing now.

[Kirstie]

That vest is very naught secretary - very nice! And I didn't think I'd be the first to say that I love that necklace, too.

[Vera]

The vest is beautiful! Love the two yarns together.

[xtina]

you're on fire. so's that vest. when i was in portland i picked up a pretty excellent khaki middle-school-science-teacher skirt that has been screaming for a vest to go with it. I'll have to call linda and see when i can get that pattern (like i need to start a new project). btw, love that chunky turquoise. btw2, love kate atkinson! btw3, pop Animal, Veg, Miracle on your food books list. I finished it last night and it's quite good.

[Michelle]

Oh My God, you rock. The whole thing, my dear. The vest looks smashing on your cute little self, and paired with the top and chunky necklace, it is fabulous.

[Jillian]

This vest is fantastic! What colours did you happen to use? My guess is gingersnap and flax but I was just curious. I think viewing your finished version has made me add this project to my long list of things to make for the fall and this would be just perfect for work!

[Lauren]

You should totally be the pattern model for this! It's great.

[Michelle]

That turned out great! Love the necklace too.

[lesley]

i love that vest you're right. a definite repeat pattern. the question is was it a simple enough one to size up? cause i'd locve to make it

[schrodinger]

That looks fantastic - as well as soft and squishy (the yarn mix - not you).

[stinkerbell]

you are making me do the I WANT I WANT I WANT dance again...
must get act together! must :)

[sUsAn]

Fab job on the vest! It looks fantastic on you!! I liked Case Histories too. Thx for the reminder about the Bourdain book....need to put that on my list. I love his show!

[Juliefrick]

First-off, GREAT necklace. Secondly, Mr. Frick concurs on the Mary Louise Parker thing. Third- what's your secret for reading and knitting? Do you have some doo-hickey for keeping the book open?

[preita]

I am not usually a vest person, but this looks so darn fabulous! I really love it on you. The color is perfect too!

[Erin]

I think it looks fab! And that necklace...it is stunning. You should wear it all the time.

[Octopus Knits]

Very pretty -- it looks so soft!