Men's Sweater Vest With Zippered Pockets.......

John found this sweater vest that he wants me to make for him.  It was in the newest National Geographic catalog.

 

  It is a simple construction, but I'm a little concerned about putting in pocket zippers.  I have made welted pockets in jackets before, but I guess I'm just a little  apprehensive about knitted fabric and turning the welts.  The welts and the trim around the sleeves are feaux leather on the pictured vest.  I was thinking about using ultra-suede because the selvage doesn't have to be turned under and this will eliminate some thickness.  I've never put a zipper in knitted garments either, so this will be a learning experience for me.  I found a pattern on Ravelry that is similar to this vest so I'm going to use that as a guide for measurements.

 

This vest has a moss pattern, which is pretty, but I'm knitting mine in stockinette stitch with a 2"  1 x 1 ribbing with a 3 stitch garter stitch up the front, which I'll use to anchor the zipper.   I'm debating about how I will do the pockets.  I found an on-line tutorial that had you run a provisional stitch where you want the pockets to be.  After the knitting is done, you unzip the provisional stitches and pick up the loose stitches of the vest on two double point needles.   I was thinking outloud that I would do a garter stitch (or some such stitch) on the upper and lower stitches to have an anchor for the welt----but what do I do for the sides of the welt?  

 I'll use a vest of John's to get the measurements for the pocket placements.

ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!

Comments

[MidMitten Knitter]

there's a great zipper tutorial AND information about zipper facings on ravelry, too. Love the ultrasuede idea and I think that will work for "binding". You'll likely have to shorten zippers, tho'. Good luck -- MidMitten knitter

[Anne]

Oh, this sounds like an exciting challenge -- but I'm sure you can do it - I'll be watching!

[Vicki]

Does Elizabeth Zimmermann have some thoughts and info on an afterthought pocket that would be adaptable/helpful? That's what came immediately to mind. I believe I've seen info on different types of pockets/finishing in the Vogue Knitting reference book.

[Jane]

I made a vest using the provisional stitch method, and the pockets worked out very well. If you'd like me to look up the pattern and tell you how it was done, let me know.