The Design
It is essential that the edges of the chest warmer end on the high points of your shoulders when you wear it on top of a garment, such as a dress, T-shirt, or shirt. That creates a proportional and flattering silhouette.
If the piece is wider than your high-shoulder points, you will create an illusion of broad, square-like shoulders. On the other hand, if the piece is more narrow than your high-shoulder points, the illusion will make your upper body slimmer. Be aware if you make the chest warmer too narrow, it might look as if it's too small on you, and the intention to make your upper body slimmer will be lost.
The Front and Back
Flowering is a chest warmer piece.
I've used the Mosaic knitting technique to create a front side of the piece, which is a double-layered fabric to keep you extra warm and cozy.
The back side of the chest warmer is thinner and has a relief pattern.
The turtle neck is in two-by-two ribbing.
The choice of yarn, unspun Nutiden, and Shetland Heritage makes the fabric lightweight, airy, and warm.
Multifunctional
You can use the chest warmer under a sweater with a wide, open neck (V-neck) or under a cardigan, coat, or jacket.
I see it as a multifunctional item, easy to carry with you, small in size, and weighing only 130 grams.
You can create many looks and color combinations with such a versatile piece. If knitted in bright outstanding colors, it can bring some spice to the more neutral tones of your other clothes.
You can adjust the length of the chest warmer, adding an extra flower motive or subtracting one. By making Flowering longer and attaching some straps/cords on the sides of the piece, you can transform the chest warmer into an open-sided vest.
The Yarn
Spun Shetland Heritage and unspun Nutiden yarn is knit together to create a delicate, pleasing, warm, lightweight fabric.
On the background of Shetland Heritage yarn, which creates a soft feel, and a smooth finish, we are painting with unspun Nutidenyarn, which brings to the flower motive haziness and mistiness. Both yarns blend nicely together, creating a delicate eye-catching, sophisticated, intricate-looking pattern with a smooth, soft, velvety texture.
It is incredible to knit with spun and unspun yarn together. You are knitting two rows in Shetland Heritage, where all is easy and more or less usual. Then suddenly, you knit with one strand of unspun Nutidenyarn, and here is needed more focus, attention, awareness, and again, two rows with spun, and back to unspun. It is like breathing in and out.
The Yellow Sample
- Shetland Heritage Auld Gold
- Nutiden: Vaka (purple)
- Smaller version of Size 1
The Grey Sample
- Shetland Heritage Natural Grey
- Nutiden: Dis (light grey with a hint of purple)
- Size 1
The Blue and Green Sample
- Shetland Heritage Mussel Blue
- Nutiden: Juni (green)
- Size 2
Specifications
Materials
Shetland Heritage Natural Yarn,
Natural Grey 118 (154, 195) grams.
Nutiden Yarn,
Dis (light grey with a hint of purple) 25 (33, 42) grams.
Gauge
Mosaic Pattern
34 stitches & 55.5 rows = 10x10 cm (4 “) in garter stitch with 2.25 mm (US 1) needle(s), after blocking. Yarn Shetland Heritage & Nutiden.
Hem & Back
35.5 stitches & 51 rows = 10x10 cm (4 “) in a texture pattern stitch with 2.25 mm (US 1) needle(s), after blocking. Yarn Shetland Heritage.
Turtleneck
40 stitches & 50 rounds = 10x10 cm (4 “) in 2 x 2 ribbing stitch with 2.25 mm (US 1) needle(s), after blocking. Yarn Shetland Heritage.
Needles
Suggested size
2.25 mm (US 1), or needle size required to meet gauge.
Dimensions
This garment is graded into sizes 1 (2, 3).
Samples
The Natural Grey and Dis (light grey with a hint of purple) color sample shown in size 1. The Mussel Blue & Juni (green) color sample shown in size 2.
The Auld Gold & Vaka (purple) color sample made smaller than size 1.
Tools
Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, additional circular needles.