I’m making a sweater vest pattern for my 18y. I have her measurements. In this vest pattern I’ve incorporated some diamond moss cables and horseshoes cables. It’s a 3 piece style vest with seems. Starting from the bottom up with a 3inch 1x1 Ribbing on the bottom. The problem I am having is how to make the decreases for the armholes and the V-neck that is longer than most and how to continue the pattern while decreasing. This is my very first pattern I’m making without following someone else’s pattern. Also I’m just kind of begging. I’ve read some books. Watched some YouTube videos. I just can’t seem to figure out this next step. Ive knitted to the part where it’s time to start decreasing for the Vneck and then 5-10 rows for the armholes. I’ve writte some schematics and the jist of what I’m trying to accomplish. I could send what I have made if it helps explain it better… but could someone please help me I’m desperate!!
Welcome to the forum!
Sounds like a lovely gift as well as an adventure into design.
Decide where you would like the armholes and V-neck to start and how quickly you would like the shapes to decrease. It may help to look at patterns with similar shaping either at the armholes or neck. Ann Budd has two books that are helpful for shaping (the first two in the link below). They’re often in a public library.
https://annbuddknits.com/books/
Once you have the basic shape, then you can consider what should happen to the diamonds and horseshoe cables. Patty Lyons has a column about continuing these kinds of patterns while decreasing. Eventually you may have to give them up but it’s as well to continue the patterns as long as possible.
https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/ask-patty-increasing-and-decreasing-in-pattern/
You might find it helpful to look at other patterns to see how the decreasing works, for instance this where the v is reasonably deep
I usually look at several patterns (and the maths of them) to help me make modifications or work without a pattern. In general, doing the maths of how many rows, in your gauge) it will be from bottom of v to shoulder, how many stitches need to remain at the shoulder after the v is finished (neck hole width, and width of shoulder) will help in working out how frequent the decreases need to be.
Mirrored decreases will be worth using on the v and working the decreases a stitch or 2 in from the edge will give a cleaner look and provide an edge where it’s easier to pick up a button band (my interpretation, as it is 3 piece, is it is open front).
This neck line is not an open front but i thought I’d post it anyway as it could be a nice button band idea. I’ve made a modified version of this and the horseshoe cable opens at the v neck and travels around rhe back neck, it’s a very nice finish.
Thank you! This is wonderful advice. The drop patterns are kinda hard for me to read, but i downloaded both to have a look. The math sometimes gets me scratching my head. Thank you again. Im definitely taking notes!
Thank you for replying. I went to the library today and they didn’t have these available. I have bought the patty Lyons "Knitting Bag of Tricks " and the workbook. Waiting for it to get here. But I added some Ann Budd books to my book buy list! Thank you for the great advice. Im definitely taking notes.
Both the Patty Lyons book and workbook are filled with thoughtful ways to work common and not so common techniques. She has a way of simplifying knitting steps that’s terrifically helpful.
Design is a process of trial and error but good luck with it. We’ll try to scratch our heads along with you!