Design Story

I named this design after the sensational Farrah Fawcett. The pattern and design were completed prior to her recent sad death. I wondered whether to keep the name but ultimately it was this wonderful lady who had shaped my imagination whilst working on the project. I watched Charlie's Angels as a child and was dreadfully disappointed when the gorgeous Farrah left the show. I loved the Katherine Hepburn-esque nonchalance that she brought to clothes, an effortless elegance. I envisaged this waistcoat with a sheer chiffon floral blouse with floaty bell sleeves and wide legged pants with a high waistline. So Farrah, so timeless.

I chose denim yarn as denim waistcoats were such an enormous part of a 1970's wardrobe and I wanted to reflect that association in the yarn I used. Remember if substituting for a different yarn, that denim shrinks vertically after the first wash, so the garment is designed (and photographed) to be worn after washing, where as the working measurements in the pattern are those of the yarn prior to washing.

Materials

Rowan Denim, 100% Cotton, 93 m (102 yds) per 50 gm ball
5 (5, 6, 6, 7) x 50 gm balls shade 324 (Ecru)
1 pair 3.75 mm (US #5) needles

Measurements

Garment shown is to fit size 32-34 inches (81-86 cm)

To fit sizes	32-34	36-38	40-42	44-46	48-50	inches
	81-86	91-96	102-107	112-117	122-127	cm
Actual size
Back	19	21	23	25	27	inches
	48	53.5	58.5	63.5	68.5	cm
Front	15	17	19	21	23	inches
	38	43	48	53.5	58.5	cm

Tension

Tension over moss st using 3.75 mm (US #5) needles is 19 sts to 10 cm (4 inches).

(standard tension 20 sts x 28 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) using 4 mm (US #6) needles over st st before washing and 20 sts x 32 rows after washing the same sample).

Abbreviations

st st - stocking stitch
st(s) - stitch(es)
CO - cast on
BO - bind off
inc - increase, by knitting into the front and back of stitch
dec - decrease, by knitting two sts together
RS - right side
WS - wrong side
moss st - (over even no of sts) * K1, P1, rep from * to end of row. Next row * P1, K1 rep from * to end. Repeat these 2 rows.

Pattern notes

Main body is worked in worked in moss stitch throughout. Please note this garment is designed to be significantly narrower at the front than at the back and is not designed to close. Please follow the sizing chart above to choose the appropriate size for you.

Pattern (Worked in separate pieces)

Back

Using 3.75 mm (US #5) needles, CO 86 (96, 106, 114, 124) sts.
Working in moss st throughout, inc 1 st at each end of 9th and foll 20th (22nd, 24th, 26th, 28th) row (90, 100, 110, 118, 128 sts).
Continue without further shaping until back measures 19 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm (7.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10 inches) ending with a RS row.

Armhole shaping

First three sizes only

BO 4 (4, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows (82, 92, 98 sts), then dec 1 st at each end of next 2 (8, 8) rows, and then dec 1 st at each end every foll alt row 5 (2, 3) times (68, 72, 76 sts). Continue without further shaping until armhole measures 24 cm (9.5 inches) ending with a WS row.

Fourth and Fifth sizes only

BO 4 sts at beg of next 4 rows (102, 112 sts), then dec 1 st at each end of next 11 (14) rows, and then dec 1 st at each end of every foll alt row twice (68, 72, 76 sts).

Continue without further shaping until armhole measures 25.5 cm (10 inches) ending with a WS row.

Shoulder shaping

All Sizes

Next row (RS): BO 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts, then pattern until there are 10 (11, 12, 12, 13) sts on RH needle, turn, leaving rem sts on a holder or spare needle. BO 4 sts (neck edge), patt to end, BO rem 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts.

Neck shaping

With RS facing, rejoin yarn to rem sts. BO centre 38 sts, patt to end.

Next row: BO 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts, patt rem sts, turn, BO 4 sts, work to end. BO rem 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts.

Left Front

Using 3.75 mm (US #5) needles, CO 36 (40, 46, 50, 56) sts.
Working in moss st throughout, inc 1 st at side edge of 9th and foll 20th (22nd, 24th, 26th, 28th) row (38 (42, 48, 52, 58 sts). Continue without further shaping until front measures 19 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm (7.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10 inches) ending with a WS row.

Armhole and Front Neckline shaping

First three sizes only

BO 4 (4, 6) sts at beg of next row, then BO 4 (3, 4) sts at neck edge of foll row, then dec 1 st at neck edge, on every 4th row 12 (12, 12) times AND AT SAME TIME, dec 1 st at side edge of next 2 (8, 8) rows, and then dec 1 st at side edge of every foll alt row 5 (2, 3) times. Work without further shaping until front measures the same as back to start of shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row.

Fourth and fifth sizes only

BO 4 (4) sts at beg of next and foll alt row, then BO 4 (4) sts at neck edge of foll row, then dec 1 st at neck edge, on every 4th row 12 (12) times AND AT SAME TIME, dec 1 st at side edge of next 11 (14) rows, and then dec 1 st at side edge of every foll alt row twice. Work without further shaping until front measures the same as back to start of shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row.

Shoulder shaping

All Sizes

Next row (RS): BO 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts, work 1 row, BO rem 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts.

Right Front

Using 3.75 mm (US #5) needles, CO 36 (40, 46, 50, 56) sts.
Working in moss st throughout, inc 1 st at side edge of 9th and foll 20th (22nd, 24th, 26th, 28th) row (38, 42, 48, 52, 58 sts). Continue without further shaping until front measures 19 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm (7.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10 inches) ending with a RS row.

Armhole and Front Neckline shaping

First three sizes only

BO 4 (4, 6) sts at beg of next row, then BO 4 (3, 4) sts at neck edge of foll row, then dec 1 st at neck edge, on every 4th row 12 (12, 12) times AND AT SAME TIME, dec 1 st at side edge of next 2 (8, 8) rows, and then dec 1 st at side edge every foll alt row 5 (2, 3) times. Work without further shaping until front measures the same as back to start of shoulder shaping, ending with a WS row.

Fourth and fifth sizes only

BO 4 (4) sts at beg of next and foll alt row, then BO 4 ( 4) sts at neck edge of foll row, then dec 1 st at neck edge, on every 4th row 12 (12) times AND AT SAME TIME, dec 1 st at side edge of next 11 (14) rows, and then dec 1 st at side edge every foll alt row twice. Work without further shaping until front measures the same as back to start of shoulder shaping, ending with a RS row.

Shoulder shaping

All Sizes

Next row (RS): BO 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts, work 1 row, BO rem 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts.

Pockets (make two)

Using 3.75 mm (US #5) needles, CO 17 sts.
Row 1 (WS): * K2, P1, rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 2: * P2, K1, rep from * to last 2 sts, P2.
Rep these 2 rows until pocket measures 13 (15, 18, 20, 23) cm (5, 6, 7, 8, 9 inches). BO in rib.

Making up

Darn in all ends. Join shoulder and side seams.
Machine wash waistcoat on a minimum of 60 degree wash. The waistcoat will shrink vertically but NOT horizontally. After washing, pin pockets to front pieces as shown, then sew in place using a running stitch approx 0.5 cm from edge.

This pattern is not to be used commercially or to be resold.  Copyright © Just call me Ruby 2009