sweater/waistcoat

Prev Next

Created: 1970s
Created earliest year: 1970
Created latest year: 1979
Credit line: Gift of Barbara Livesey
Description: A sleeveless waistcoat made from hand-knitted, un-dyed wool. The waistcoat is knitted entirely with stocking-stitch. Beginning at the bottom of the garment, the knitter has created horizontal 'pleats' by knitting bands of 24 rows of stocking-stitch and then folding the fabric created over and knitting back into the first of the 24 rows. This is an advanced and virtuoso knitting technique used to create an effect that could be much more easily achieved by sewing the pleats in place. In all there are 14 horizontal pleats with a band of 10 rows of plain stocking stitch between each pleat. The top of the waistcoat is finished around the neckline with plain stocking-stitch. The front opening edge has been created by picking up stitches vertically and knitting 24 rows of stocking stitch which then fold back on themselves. This appears to have been done on a smaller guage knitting needle as the stitches are closer together. Apart from the front opening edge, the garment was made and shaped in one piece.
Extent: L: 29 1/2 in. (shoulder to hem)
Identifier irn: irn-63425
Identifier accession number: 2006.95
Medium: wool
Title: sweater/waistcoat
Type: Costume