Gamine vest

Gamine Vest by Tori Gurbisz

What is Being Made

The Gamine vest is a fitted waistcoat designed by Tori Gurbisz and presented by Lachesis and Co. This intermediate-level knitting project features a tailored silhouette with seven size options ranging from 29.25 inches to 50.5 inches in bust measurement. The garment is modeled in the 32.75-inch size, which is knit with approximately one inch of negative ease for a close, refined fit. The vest showcases a structured design with distinct front and back panels, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Gamine vest incorporates multiple advanced knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The construction utilizes stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, combined with cable patterns and eyelet patterns for textural and visual interest. The pattern requires working with circular needles in different sizes to manage the various gauges needed for different stitch patterns. Blocking is essential to this project, as the designer emphasizes washing and blocking your gauge swatch to ensure proper fit before committing to the full garment. The back panel and front panels have specific measurements when laid flat post-blocking, indicating that blocking significantly impacts the final dimensions and drape of the finished vest.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette stitch - forms the primary fabric base at a gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) using US 7/4.5mm needles
• Cable patterns - featured throughout the design with varying gauge requirements from the stockinette base
• Eyelet patterns - incorporated for decorative detail with their own gauge considerations

Materials and Tools

The Gamine vest is designed to be knit in Madeline Tosh 80/10/10 Worsted MCN, a premium yarn blend consisting of 80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, and 10% nylon. This fiber composition provides durability, softness, and easy care characteristics. The yarn is available in 187-yard (171-meter) skeins, with yardage requirements varying by size: the smallest size (29.25 inches) requires approximately 720 yards across 4 skeins, while the largest size (50.5 inches) requires approximately 1232 yards across 7 skeins. The pattern was photographed in the colorway Gossamer.

Essential tools include US 7/4.5mm circular needles (24-32 inches) for the main fabric and US 6/4mm circular needles (40 inches) for sections requiring a different gauge. The vest is finished with 6 to 7 buttons, each measuring 7/8 inch (22mm) in diameter. Additional supplies needed are a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, waste yarn for holding stitches, and an optional cable needle for managing cable stitches.

Sizing and Fit

The Gamine vest is offered in seven sizes accommodating bust measurements of 29.25, 32.75, 36.5, 40, 43.5, 47, and 50.5 inches. The back panel measures approximately 11 inches (28 cm) in width when laid flat post-blocking, while the right and left front panels each measure approximately 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) in width. The design incorporates negative ease, with the sample garment showing approximately one inch of negative ease, creating a close and tailored fit against the body.