THE KAS SLIPOVER
Those of you who have checked out the “Wish List” will have noticed that there is a great need for a larger size “square vest” for the older children.
I understand the square vest pattern on the main site is the most-often downloaded pattern. Response has been so good, that the supply of these small sized garments is currently adequate and Sandy will very soon be revising the pattern to suggest our great need for a similar but different garment for older children.
The square vest is being reborn into what will now be referred to as the KAS SLIPOVER..
A recent email from Ronda has made the following suggestions
“If we could receive “square vests” which were LESS square (longer in the trunk to avoid bare midriffs) with more generous armholes and in VERY SOFT materials, they could be used either as tank tops to go over t-shirts, OR be worn close to the skin comfortably.
As to size, we would be extremely happy to receive the vest in larger sizes to cater for children from 3 years old up to late teens. They could be ideal summer wear as we do sometimes experience cooler days and keeping one’s chest warm is important - vital in the case of those with compromised immune systems”
These garments will be simple to make - just two rectangles joined at the shoulders and sides.
The secret to success will be in the proportions. We have asked Zanny for some input. So I expect she will have some good suggestions, since the original vest was her creation.
I currently have a SLIPOVER “on the hook.” This one will be 14" wide, 16" long. I am crocheting (just my preference)... and will try it on my human mannequins (I KNEW there was a reason I have grandchildren spaced 2 years apart!) for size. I will post feedback here on how and who this one fits.
Since it may be used as a next-to-the skin item, it is imperative that we chose the softest material possible. For this one I am using Bernat Baby Softee which is approximately a sportweight yarn and I am using a 5mm hook and doing single crochet fairly loosely in hopes it will turn out a bit stretchy.
I think Bernat Satin, Berbat Baby Sport, and some of the lovely cotton yarns might work well for this too. The worsted weight we use for squares is likely too thick and too harsh.
We would like to hear what all of you think - and eventually (soon) I will use your suggestions and experience to revise this discussion to include suggested dimensions, arm and neck openings for the various sizes, the most desirable materials to use. And needle or hook sizes to produce a “little bit stretchy” SLIPOVER
Sandy has asked me to insert this link on needle sizes - it may help us sort out our thinking about weight and stretch and sizing
http://www.knit-a-square.com/knitting-needle-sizes.html
I understand the square vest pattern on the main site is the most-often downloaded pattern. Response has been so good, that the supply of these small sized garments is currently adequate and Sandy will very soon be revising the pattern to suggest our great need for a similar but different garment for older children.
The square vest is being reborn into what will now be referred to as the KAS SLIPOVER..
A recent email from Ronda has made the following suggestions
“If we could receive “square vests” which were LESS square (longer in the trunk to avoid bare midriffs) with more generous armholes and in VERY SOFT materials, they could be used either as tank tops to go over t-shirts, OR be worn close to the skin comfortably.
As to size, we would be extremely happy to receive the vest in larger sizes to cater for children from 3 years old up to late teens. They could be ideal summer wear as we do sometimes experience cooler days and keeping one’s chest warm is important - vital in the case of those with compromised immune systems”
These garments will be simple to make - just two rectangles joined at the shoulders and sides.
The secret to success will be in the proportions. We have asked Zanny for some input. So I expect she will have some good suggestions, since the original vest was her creation.
I currently have a SLIPOVER “on the hook.” This one will be 14" wide, 16" long. I am crocheting (just my preference)... and will try it on my human mannequins (I KNEW there was a reason I have grandchildren spaced 2 years apart!) for size. I will post feedback here on how and who this one fits.
Since it may be used as a next-to-the skin item, it is imperative that we chose the softest material possible. For this one I am using Bernat Baby Softee which is approximately a sportweight yarn and I am using a 5mm hook and doing single crochet fairly loosely in hopes it will turn out a bit stretchy.
I think Bernat Satin, Berbat Baby Sport, and some of the lovely cotton yarns might work well for this too. The worsted weight we use for squares is likely too thick and too harsh.
We would like to hear what all of you think - and eventually (soon) I will use your suggestions and experience to revise this discussion to include suggested dimensions, arm and neck openings for the various sizes, the most desirable materials to use. And needle or hook sizes to produce a “little bit stretchy” SLIPOVER
Sandy has asked me to insert this link on needle sizes - it may help us sort out our thinking about weight and stretch and sizing
http://www.knit-a-square.com/knitting-needle-sizes.html
Views: 173
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Kristel Lokken on -
Hi Anne!
I have a suggestion for making the crocheted slipover more stretchy and pliant:
if you work the rows up and down using a half double crochet (hdc) in the back loop only, you will have a nice, think, ribbed material.
Here's an example of a small one I made:
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Permalink Reply by dawn laverty on -
Mary, you naughty person.......now I have to try this. I STILL haven't mastered the hat yet, but perhaps this will be easier cos it's in rows.
Did you use chunky yarn?
Love it by the way!
Dawn x
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Permalink Reply by Mary Kristel Lokken on
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Hi Dawn! Thank you!
Yes, this is a fairly chunky yarn. I think I used a 6.5mm hook.... but I made this last spring and really can't remember... it was a very very soft 100% wool yarn.
Ciao!
Mary
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Permalink Reply by Mary Kristel Lokken on
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I meant to write that the material would be "thick" not "think"!
;-)
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Permalink Reply by dawn laverty on
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Ha ha! I'm worse than you.....I did actually make one of these following your instructions.
I must be cleverer than I thought lol! I think it's probably in my photo album.
Dawn x
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Permalink Reply by Anne Powell on -
Mary and Dawn - you ladies are on this already - terrific!! Like your suggestion for the hdc, Mary. I am doing mine 'up and down' too - will let everyone know if the SC is stretchy enough
Dawn - have been trying to leave a comment about your awesome hat - love it, you talented woman! My "comment thingy" hasn't been working so haven't been able to tell you.
Since you are both in different places and may have access to different yarns, could you comment on what you think might be available where you are? My feeling is we might want to use a lighter weight than worsted - takes longer to work up but wouldn't be too bulky as an undergarment.
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Permalink Reply by Sylvia Vannelli on -
If it is to be worn next to the skin or as a pullover should the main rectangles stop short of the neck and broad bands be knitted on the front and attached to the back, or vice versa, effectively making a shallow square neck?
Does anyone know how bamboo rates for warmth?
If bulk is not required for this one would stocking stitch be OK from the knitters?
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Permalink Reply by Anne Powell on
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Your thoughts on the neck are valid, Sylvia. I am going to try and get my prototype finished and try it on the grandkids to see how the neck fits - the thought certainly crossed my mind too. But if they are stretchy enough, it may not be a problem, and it would be nice to keep these as simple as possible.
My local yarn shop carries bamboo - they tell me it is very warm - the main problem I noticed was the cost.
I think stocking stitch is just fine. I am crocheting - can do this faster.
One thought has occurred to me - anyone not wanting to knit or crochet the large rectangles required, could make these in 8 smaller rectangles and sew them together - would allow for some fun and funky colour combinations.
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Permalink Reply by Sylvia Vannelli on
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Thanks Anne.
I've been sitting here knitting a 4 inch mitred square thinking about small squares with borders to make up to the rectangles and knitting in 3" or 4" strips linked with crochet and bordered with crochet to make up the size. I didn't think about knitting small rectangles to start with. If you don't mind the joining, which can be quite a part of the design, the small squares and rectangles definitely give terrific possibilites for idividual experimentation. It's also easier to use up the very small lengths of yarn left over from previous projects.
I wish I were better at crochet. No matter how hard I concentrate I always end up gaining a stitch or two on every row. Must have another try.
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Permalink Reply by Harrison's mom on -
Well if Anne's hexagon GO is anything to go by, anyone who has any sort of preference in shape or style of "squares" must realise that anything goes and all can be used for a successful end result. I will look forward to your "babette blanket" style project if you can get picures when it is completed.
Jeni
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Permalink Reply by kyla on -
watch it becuase bamboo is biodegradable - although, after some quick research into the subject, turns out this only happens if it is buried in the ground again. its also naturally antibacterial.
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Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on -
Naturally antibacterial is a great plus and bamboo grows so fast, being a grass, that it's a very renewal resource. I have wondered if any of the soy yarns would also work. I have some very soft baby weight yarns here...if we're talking undergarment they'd be soft enough but would they be tickly? Hmmm. I am quite sure cotton would work okay. Mind you the cotton yarn i have is more worsted in weight. This is going to be interesting to keep an eye on for sure.
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