blank canvas
I took a long, hard look at that little robot vest, and though it doesnÂ’t match up to the perfect robot head vest that lives in my head, IÂ’m not inclined to tinker with it further or knit it again. The inspiration has already moved on to another idea and to knit it again would just be drudgery. And I donÂ’t get nearly enough knitting time to accept drudgery in my knitting.
What I do love about the vest is the vest itself, intarsia aside. I love that thing on Thumper. ItÂ’s one of those great basic shapes that I know IÂ’ll knit many times in the future, for Thumper and as gifts for other kids. I can see it in a solid color, or with contrasting trim. I can see it with any number of varieties of stripe. With some simple fair isle. Maybe even with intarsia in one form or another. Quick to knit, practical as a layering piece, great for the in-between weatherÂ… Thumper could use a few sweater vests. And then I thought about the fact that a number of you expressed interest in the vest minus the robot, and some of you expressed interest in the vest WITH the robot and so I thoughtÂ…
Blank Canvas Baby Vest.
IÂ’m going to offer the vest pattern in a wide range of baby and child sizes. IÂ’ll write it for a plain vest in worsted weight yarn, but IÂ’ll also include the robot head chart for those who want to knit that, either as is or with your own modifications. (IÂ’ll only be providing one chart, though, rather than a separate chart for each size, since itÂ’s not all about the robot anymore.) Knit it off-center. Outline it in black. Change the mouth shape. Whatever you want. There were many great suggestions in the comments on the previous post. Or leave off the robot entirely and just knit a nice, simple vest. Or a stripy vest. Have fun with it. I provide the shape and you take it from there.
And then I thoughtÂ… I want a good basic sweater vest too. But IÂ’m me, so I want stripes, for sure. And so IÂ’m going to write up a pattern in adult sizes too, but with waist shaping, etc, and probably a lighter-weight yarn for a less bulky look. Coming soon to a blog near you, Blank Canvas WomenÂ’s Vest.
So yeah, coming up soon, two patterns for good, useful basics to be adapted however you choose. I hope you like them. I canÂ’t wait to see what variations you come up with.
This sounds like the perfect idea! I am excited to see it.
Posted by: Natalie
I love the women’s vest idea! I know a lot of people who have been looking for a pattern like that!
Posted by: Sarah
Cari, the only thing better than you agreeing to release the baby/child vest pattern would be if you released an adult version too – and woohoo!! Can’t wait!!!
Posted by: Kellie
This sounds like the perfect idea! I am excited to see it.
Posted by: Natalie
I love the women’s vest idea! I know a lot of people who have been looking for a pattern like that!
Posted by: Sarah
Cari, the only thing better than you agreeing to release the baby/child vest pattern would be if you released an adult version too – and woohoo!! Can’t wait!!!
Posted by: Kellie
I love sweater vests on Felix…like you said, they are so practical and super cute. I am knitting one right now for a friend who just had a baby. They are so much easier to put on then regular sweater! I look forward to your pattern!
Posted by: Sarah
This sounds great. What about variations for pullover style or button down style, and for the women’s size, a couple of neckline variations?
Posted by: jodi
I have never been one to wear sweater vests because they make me look like Honey-I-Shrunk-The-Football-Player. However…if anyone can think up a sweater vest design that I’d try out, it would be you.
Posted by: Lee Ann
I like the idea of both those Blank Canvas Vests… 🙂
The women’s one is definitely the one I’ll be looking out for…
Waiting in anticipation.
Posted by: Kai
Great idea! I’m glad you were able to find a solution 🙂
Posted by: Kristy
Ooh, I’m so glad you’re going to offer a women’s version! I don’t really have much need for baby patterns, but i’ve been wanting to make myself a vest for the past few months, and I LOVE good basic patterns like what you’re describing. Can’t wait!
Posted by: J Strizzy
Great idea!
Posted by: Amy
Lovin’ the idea of the adult version.
I’ve thought a lot about the robot. I do like it very much. It reminds me of an animated movie, the Iron Giant. Did you see it? It’s a story about a boy who finds a giant robot. It’s very sweet. Anyway, at the very end, there’s this moment where the giant is sad, and looks at the boy with his head all crooked to the side and he’s blinking. It’s a moment and a gesture that just makes your heart ache. I would need to see it again, but I picture that moment on your sweater. A sad giant robot with a quizzitive expression on his face. But I don’t know how well an angled face would translate on a sweater.
But if I do figure it out, maybe I’ll try it on the adult size, I don’t have any children. It’d be a good opportunity to try intarsia. I’ve only been knitting for a few years, and I’ve never done any color work.
Posted by: Megan
i love it.
Posted by: regina
I just love the title of your post with the picture of your adorable Thumper. I assume the witty double-meaning was intentional–babies: the ultimate blank canvas.
Posted by: Suzanne
Cari –
That sounds great. I have my own little “Thumper” who could use some in-between weather pieces and a blank vest would give me a lot of options. Sidebar: I LOVE the robot. 🙂
Posted by: Liz in IL
I LOVE the idea! I would definitely get the baby version. I’ve been looking for just the right pattern to add an intarsia football to. Thanks!!
Posted by: Vicki
YES! I’ve been looking for a good, blank canvas, V-neck, women’s vest pattern! You have no idea how thrilled I am to hear there’s one coming soon.
Posted by: Jean
hooray! I’m a bit obsessed with finding the perfect sweater vest pattern right now, so I will stay tuned for sure.
Posted by: Chantelle
Love that idea~ look forward to seeing it.
Posted by: Sarah
Yay! I’m looking forward to the vest in lady-sizes.
Posted by: alison
Great Plan!!
Posted by: Liz
I love that idea, especially the women’s vest!
Posted by: Melissa
I love sweater vests on Felix…like you said, they are so practical and super cute. I am knitting one right now for a friend who just had a baby. They are so much easier to put on then regular sweater! I look forward to your pattern!
Posted by: Sarah
This sounds great. What about variations for pullover style or button down style, and for the women’s size, a couple of neckline variations?
Posted by: jodi
I have never been one to wear sweater vests because they make me look like Honey-I-Shrunk-The-Football-Player. However…if anyone can think up a sweater vest design that I’d try out, it would be you.
Posted by: Lee Ann
I like the idea of both those Blank Canvas Vests… 🙂
The women’s one is definitely the one I’ll be looking out for…
Waiting in anticipation.
Posted by: Kai
Great idea! I’m glad you were able to find a solution 🙂
Posted by: Kristy
Ooh, I’m so glad you’re going to offer a women’s version! I don’t really have much need for baby patterns, but i’ve been wanting to make myself a vest for the past few months, and I LOVE good basic patterns like what you’re describing. Can’t wait!
Posted by: J Strizzy
Great idea!
Posted by: Amy
Lovin’ the idea of the adult version.
I’ve thought a lot about the robot. I do like it very much. It reminds me of an animated movie, the Iron Giant. Did you see it? It’s a story about a boy who finds a giant robot. It’s very sweet. Anyway, at the very end, there’s this moment where the giant is sad, and looks at the boy with his head all crooked to the side and he’s blinking. It’s a moment and a gesture that just makes your heart ache. I would need to see it again, but I picture that moment on your sweater. A sad giant robot with a quizzitive expression on his face. But I don’t know how well an angled face would translate on a sweater.
But if I do figure it out, maybe I’ll try it on the adult size, I don’t have any children. It’d be a good opportunity to try intarsia. I’ve only been knitting for a few years, and I’ve never done any color work.
Posted by: Megan
i love it.
Posted by: regina
I just love the title of your post with the picture of your adorable Thumper. I assume the witty double-meaning was intentional–babies: the ultimate blank canvas.
Posted by: Suzanne
Cari –
That sounds great. I have my own little “Thumper” who could use some in-between weather pieces and a blank vest would give me a lot of options. Sidebar: I LOVE the robot. 🙂
Posted by: Liz in IL
I LOVE the idea! I would definitely get the baby version. I’ve been looking for just the right pattern to add an intarsia football to. Thanks!!
Posted by: Vicki
YES! I’ve been looking for a good, blank canvas, V-neck, women’s vest pattern! You have no idea how thrilled I am to hear there’s one coming soon.
Posted by: Jean
hooray! I’m a bit obsessed with finding the perfect sweater vest pattern right now, so I will stay tuned for sure.
Posted by: Chantelle
Love that idea~ look forward to seeing it.
Posted by: Sarah
Yay! I’m looking forward to the vest in lady-sizes.
Posted by: alison
Great Plan!!
Posted by: Liz
I love that idea, especially the women’s vest!
Posted by: Melissa
I could use a ladies vest pattern! Woo Hoo!
And I liked the robot. I thought he was cool.
Posted by: Ande
I’ll totally buy that! I owe my little-ish guy a sweater and he’d probably get more wear out of a vest.
I like the robot and baby looks so cute in it.
Posted by: Steph
Vest is sweet, baby is more so…
Have you seen Angry Chicken? She lives in Portland…there might be a connection there for you. http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/
Posted by: JoAnne
as i was reading this entry, i was thinking (in a whiny voice :)) ‘what about meeeeeeee???? i want a cute sweater vest tooooooooo’
and then i get to the end and you thought about me and yay! i’ll def. be on the look out for the adult pattern! thanks! 😀
Posted by: tammy
Great. Now, if you offer an adult version of the vest, I will seriously no joking I mean it have to knit Lala a robot vest. Do not tell her your plans.
xo
Posted by: Rachael
I could use a ladies vest pattern! Woo Hoo!
And I liked the robot. I thought he was cool.
Posted by: Ande
I’ll totally buy that! I owe my little-ish guy a sweater and he’d probably get more wear out of a vest.
I like the robot and baby looks so cute in it.
Posted by: Steph
Vest is sweet, baby is more so…
Have you seen Angry Chicken? She lives in Portland…there might be a connection there for you. http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/
Posted by: JoAnne
as i was reading this entry, i was thinking (in a whiny voice :)) ‘what about meeeeeeee???? i want a cute sweater vest tooooooooo’
and then i get to the end and you thought about me and yay! i’ll def. be on the look out for the adult pattern! thanks! 😀
Posted by: tammy
Great. Now, if you offer an adult version of the vest, I will seriously no joking I mean it have to knit Lala a robot vest. Do not tell her your plans.
xo
Posted by: Rachael