Purple Crochet Bolero Vest 紫紅半圓鉤針背心

線材: Crystal Palace Panda Silk (52% 竹纖維, 43% 美麗諾, 5% 絲), 色號#3006 紫紅 - 4 球 (204yd [188m] / 50g)
圖樣: 涼やかなかぎ針あみ―上質のレース糸で編む (ISBN: 978-4529045421)
針號: 可樂 4/0 2.5 mm 鉤針
尺寸: 胸圍 90 cm，長 54 cm (緣邊有4cm)
製作日期: 2008/08/19 - 2008/09/08

Yarn: Crystal Palace Panda Silk (52% bamboo, 43% superwash merino wool, 5% combed silk), color #3006 Berry Smoothie - 4 balls (204yd [188m] / 50g)
Pattern: Japanese pattern book 涼やかなかぎ針あみ―上質のレース糸で編む (ISBN: 978-4529045421)
Hooks: Clover 4/0 2.5 mm crochet hook
Size: Chest circumference 35 1/2", length 21 1/4" (including lace edge 1 1/2")
Duration: 2008/08/19 - 2008/09/08



從上禮拜到現在一直都很忙，忙到居然沒有時間把這件po上來，其實早早就定型好收起來，連照片也照好了，就是沒辦法坐下來好好寫心得。大兒子Connor發燒三天沒去學校，我在家整天陪著，雖然很多時候只是陪他玩玩具看電視，沒做什麼，可是我也走不開去做自己的事，有經驗的媽媽們一定了解，生病中的小孩特別黏人。不能用電腦上網，可是坐在旁邊偶爾織個幾排還是可以的，所以我的Rusted Root這幾天進度增加迅速，現在已經躺在定型板上啦！

I have been so busy since last week that I could not find time to blog about this vest. It was already taken off the blocking board and put away. I even took the FO photos but didn't have time to upload them. My older son Connor had a fever and couldn't go to school for 3 days. I stayed with him all day, most of the time just playing and watching TV. Even though I didn't do much, but any moms would know, kids are especially clingy when they are not feeling well. I could not really get away to sit in front of a computer. But I did manage to sneak in a few rounds of Rusted Root every now and then. And so my progress on Rusted Root has been really good. It is now drying on the blocking board!



這件其實本來不在我的清單中，是姐姐提到想織件衣服送給在台北的表妹，感謝她幾次幫我們跑腿買東西再寄來美國，實在感恩哪！因為她自己最近也很忙，還要再織一件送給她在台北的好友，而且這幾次買的東西裡有不少是我的，所以就自告奮勇來完成這件禮物啦！

This bolero vest was not in my queue. My sister mentioned that she wanted to make something for our cousin in Taipei, to thank her for all the troubles she went through to buy some stuffs for us and then ship to the US. Since she has been really busy and also has another project in her queue for her best friend, I volunteered to make this gift for our cousin since many of the stuff bought are for me too!



選顏色簡單，她愛紫色。挑樣式時倒是花了不少精神，因為看不到真人，怕尺寸抓不準，一開始就決定只考慮前面開襟的背心，波雷若小外套之類的。樣式不能太前衛或花俏 (姑姑家是很保守的)，也不能太可愛 (年紀不合)，也不能太老氣 (人家還是待嫁小姐啦)，要可以搭配襯衫的 (她上班都穿襯衫)，也希望可以配合週末較休閒的服飾... 哇！ 一整個傷腦筋！ 後來翻書看到這款，想起瑪格也做了一件，蠻好看的，而且附和上述條件... 好啦，就是你啦！

Picking a color was easy, she loves purple. But deciding on a style took us some thinking. Since we can't see her and not sure about her exact size, we decided to only consider open-front type of vests, shrugs, or boleros. It must not be too fancy or flirty (my aunt's family is very conservative), not too cute (she is not a teenager any more), not too old-lady like (she is still young), something that goes well with a button-down shirt (it's all she wears to work), and also good for weekend casual wear with a tee and jeans... I flipped through all my books, and came across this bolero vest. Margaret also made one and it looks quite nice, it also meets all of our considerations... therefore, this is it!



這件不難，就是織兩個半圓前片時要一直盯著織圖，一直算針數。織好後我一直覺得脥邊接縫的地方怪怪的，不是成一直線，上面近腋下的地方整個是歪的，檢查過了沒織錯啊！還有袖口緣邊按照織圖針數挑針後覺得很緊，整個往裡縮。一度考慮要拆掉重來，想想還是先定型再說，還好定型後這些問題都沒有了，不過因為定型時拉的厲害，衣身硬是多長了4公分，幸好這個長度看起來也還可以啦。

This bolero vest was not difficult to make, I just had to really concentrate when I made the fronts. The pattern is schematics with stitches in detail illustrations. I had to keep looking at the chart, and count the stitches. After I was done, I felt the side seams, especially the part closest to underarm, were a bit crooked. I double checked the chart to make sure I did not make a mistake, and anything was done according to the chart. And the edging short stitches along the armholes were too tight. I thought about ripping out these parts and redo them, but decided to block it first and hoped for the best. Good thing all these are no longer quite visible after the blocking. But the vest also grew another 1 1/2" longer after blocking, since I really pulled it hard to make sure the crooked seams got straightened and the lace scallop edging opened up.



如果重來的話，我想會特別注意一下前片半圓起點處，應該是要成直線的。袖口緣邊挑針應以自己手勁為準，多挑幾針，只要總針數是偶數就可以了。等我其他禮物準備好，這件背心就要飄洋過海去見主人啦！

If I could start over, I would pay special attention to the starting rows of the front pieces to make sure the side seam is straight. I would pick up more stitches for the armhole edging. It really should be based on my tension, I shouldn't have strictly followed what the pattern suggests. As long as the total number of stitches is an even number it would be okay. I still have some other gift items to prepare, once they are set, this bolero vest will be flying overseas to its owner!