Yarnigami - Or How To Turn a Rectangle into a Vest

In May, the wonderful folks at Skacel Knitting had a design competition, and I was thrilled to have my pattern, Cross Hatch Wrap, chosen as one of the five winners. The scrumptious Kid-Seta yarn was a dream to knit, and their photographer did a great job of capturing some of the possible ways to wear this vest.

Some people are having trouble with the concept of how to transform this long rectangle into a wearable with armholes! Following are step-by-step directions to guide you through the process, with my not-very-professional photographs.

1. Fold the rectangle in half so the cast-on and bind-off edges are together, and mark the center point. Unfold.
2. Bring down the cast-on and bind-off edges so they are next to each other, with the inside length of the rectangle together. Sew from A to B - about 9 inches.
3. Bring down the Center so that it touches the top of the seam at B.
4. Make a diagonal seam outward on each side from the Center, leaving an opening on each side - these are the armholes.

You have just made a Y-shaped seam from one of the long edges of the rectangle. The other long edge runs the length from bottom, around the neck, and down the other side. The cast-on and bound-off edges are the bottom. Fabric topology!

Worn as you have just sewn the garment, it is a swing vest. Flip it upside down (180 degrees), and you have a shrug with tuxedo points. Fasten with a shawl pin, or tie the points together.

Have fun finding more ways to wear it.