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[tab1: This pattern is currently only available as part of A Stitch In Time Volume 3 - The Colourwork Edition, which can be ordered by following the link above

Excelsior is a stylish button-fronted knitted vest pattern first published as a single sized pattern in the 1940s by Copley's in the UK. This classic example of a knitted vest features all-over stranded colourwork motifs, plus a deep ribbed welt and front v-neck opening with ribbed bands.

Two options are included in the updated pattern; the first to work a shaped lower body as in the original pattern; the second to work a straight lower body. Both options include instructions for a choice of three lengths, short, medium or long and both options provide instructions for 12 chest sizes to fit from 28-62 inches (71-157cm).

All versions are knitted in the round with a centre front steek and armhole steeks.

Excelsior is knitted using [productlink: Susan Crawford Byre fingering weight = byre :productlink] a natural grey fingering weight 100% British wool, spun for us in nearby Yorkshire and dyed in-house by Susan and her team. Seven shades are used for this beautiful vest with Susan choosing a tonal selection of browns, rusts and oranges set against the natural grey of Byre, but would look fabulous in all manner of combinations!

Our model Susan is shown wearing Colourway One in the 6th size medium length to fit 107-112cm (42-44in) chest and Gavn is shown wearing Colourway Two also in the 6th size but the long length.

The pattern includes instructions for twelve sizes to fit chest measurements between 71cm (28in) and 157cm (62in) and contains both clear written pattern directions, together with charted instructions, plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart. :tab1]

[tab2:Yarn
[link: Susan Crawford Byre = /collections/byre :link], 100% British wool, a unique blend of Jacob, white Shetland and black Shetland fleeces, Fingering weight (400m / 436yds per 100g skein approx)

Short Length
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 100g skeins, shade [productlink: Sunset Over the Bay = byre-sunset-over-the-bay :productlink] or yarn A
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Jack O'Lantern = byre-jack-o-lantern :productlink] or yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Loam = byre-loam :productlink] or yarn C
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Clay = byre-clay :productlink] or yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Fence Post = byre-fence-post :productlink] or yarn E
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) 25g skein, shade [productlink: Dry Stone Wall = byre-dry-stone-wall :productlink] or yarn F
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) 25g skein, shade [productlink: Rusty Tractor = byre-rusty-tractor :productlink] or yarn G

Medium Length
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 100g skeins, shade [productlink: Sunset Over the Bay = byre-sunset-over-the-bay :productlink] or yarn A
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Jack O'Lantern = byre-jack-o-lantern :productlink] or yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Loam = byre-loam :productlink] or yarn C
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Clay = byre-clay :productlink] or yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Fence Post = byre-fence-post :productlink] or yarn E
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade [productlink: Dry Stone Wall = byre-dry-stone-wall :productlink] or yarn F
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade [productlink: Rusty Tractor = byre-rusty-tractor :productlink] or yarn G

Long Length
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 100g skeins, shade [productlink: Sunset Over the Bay = byre-sunset-over-the-bay :productlink] or yarn A
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Jack O'Lantern = byre-jack-o-lantern :productlink] or yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Loam = byre-loam :productlink] or yarn C
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Clay = byre-clay :productlink] or yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) 25g skeins, shade [productlink: Fence Post = byre-fence-post :productlink] or yarn E
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade [productlink: Dry Stone Wall = byre-dry-stone-wall :productlink] or yarn F
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) 25g skein, shade [productlink: Rusty Tractor = byre-rusty-tractor :productlink] or yarn G

Suggested needles
Small needles: 2.75mm (US 2) circular needle (60-100 cm / 24-40 in)
2.75mm (US 2) circular needle (40 cm / 16 in)
Large needles: 3mm (US 3) circular needle (60-100 cm / 24-40 in)
Spare 3mm (US 3) needle

Gauge
32 sts and 32rounds = 10cm / 4in over stranded colourwork worked in the round, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 3mm needles.

Notions
Waste yarn, stitch markers, 2 removable stitch markers (optional), tapestry needle, scissors, 8 (9, 10) buttons. :tab2]

[tab3: Knitting in the round
Following a chart
Steeking
:tab3]

[hr] A yarn kit is also available containing all the hand-dyed Byre yarn required to knit Excelsior.
  [small_textbutton: Purchase your yarn kit here = /products/excelsior-yarn-kit :small_textbutton]

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