Wool Knit Vests / Waistcoats

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

I wasn't quiet sure what category to put this photo in. It could have gone in "What are you wearing today" but i only put it on for the sake of the photo.

Mind you, it's certainly not a waistcoat, nor is it, on this side of the pond at least, a vest. Vests are what chaps wear under thier shirts to keep themselves warm.
Nor is it a cardigan, 'cos they have buttons. I could call it a Tank Top but that makes me think of the 1970's, plus my children tell me that a Tank Top is what I'd call a T Shirt, confusing huh!

It's a Sleeveless Pullover, at least that's what the 1940's pattern calls it. I told the lady who made it for me that the pattern called for some Red in the Fairisle. I wonder if the Red may be just a wee bit too vivid? All in all though I like it, it's distinctive!

 

[Two Types]

Looks good. I'd be interested to see a close up shot of the pattern.

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

Thank you, I'll post a close up for you tomorrow.

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

Here you go Mr Two Types, a close up as promised. Actually i'd been looking for someone to knit for me for some time and the closest i'd got was to find a lady listed in the UK Hand Knitting Society, she lives out near Holt which is a fair way from me, plus she wanted between £80 and £90 which is a bit ripe for my pocket.
Anyways, I happened to mention that to a work colleague and she said that one of her friends was an absolute whizz at knitting, and even better was the fact that she lives not 5 minutes from me. Seems that the lady in question doesn't work, she just watches daytime TV and knits, thats all, just knits all day.
I bought the wool on-line and treated her fairly when it came to paying her. She was happy with what i gave her and she said that she could knit me whatever I wanted. A winner!

 

[Two Types]

Ask her if she'd be interested in taking other commissions. I (and I'm sure some others around here) might be interested in getting something made. I've seen some designs around that might be rather tempting.

 

[Papperskatt]

Ask her if she'd be interested in taking other commissions. I (and I'm sure some others around here) might be interested in getting something made. I've seen some designs around that might be rather tempting.

+1

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

I could certainly ask her. You will have noted that I didn't tell you how much I paid her.
What would you chaps consider to be a fair price?

 

[Methuselah]

I could certainly ask her. You will have noted that I didn't tell you how much I paid her.
What would you chaps consider to be a fair price?

I'd ask her how long it takes and agree an hourly rate. I have no idea how to knit, but I'm sure that the dream "Fair Isle" tank top would take much, much longer than something plain.
Also, does you local contact use a knitting machine? Sou West Chunkies charge about £26 including wool and postage for their fisherman's style jumpers.
If somebody can give me exactly what I want then I'd pay £40-£50 (including the cost of the wool)
On the other hand, somebody we've never even met made us a really elaborate crochet pram blanket for free when our baby was born (a friend of a friend)

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

If somebody can give me exactly what I want then I'd pay £40-£50 (including the cost of the wool)

Well the Dream Fair isle that you mentioned could contain at least half a dozen different colours at getting on for £3 a ball, the base colour might need more than one ball, not to mention an awful lot of work. So by that reckoning you'll be paying her about £20. If you don't mind I don't think I'll pass on your offer to her.

 

[Two Types]

I have no idea what would be a fair price. I last asked someone to knit for me in about 1982 - and that was my grandmother. Also, I'd assume the price would depend on the complexity and, as such, how long it would take. if you'd rather, we could continue the discussion by PM.

 

[Metatron]

Dreamofgilgamesh, Your 'sleeveless pullover' is very nice. Apart from looking 1920s-1940s, the pattern has a certain medieval flair that is very appealing.

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

Thank you, jolly kind of you to say so.

 

[Methuselah]

If you don't mind I don't think I'll pass on your offer to her.

Well that's good because it was an opinion rather than an actual offer. It was also based on what I can afford rather than what a jumper may be worth.
I'm sure that if I was to pay a decent hourly rate for a complex jumper it would get expensive rapidly.
I recently bought 2 mass produced fair isle style tank tops for £40, and that's also probably influenced my opinion.
If you're thinking of getting more jumpers made, we've got some 1930s knitting books - I could scan you the men's pages if you want?

 

[Fastuni]

1930's German knit vest with pre-1945 ZIPP zipper.
Perfect condition.