Who Needs Pockets?

My first reaction is to say everybody needs pockets. But that is not necessarily true. Many grown-up persons carry bags, satchels, pouches and other accessories to ferry about their cherished possessions. But those persons young in age and close to the ground generally don’t have that option.

If so, these little ones need someplace to stash all the treasures they find along the way. And when you are that close to the ground, there are So Many Treasures to pick up: shiny pebbles, feathers, a snail or two, marbles, bottle caps and pieces of Lego.

Especially Lego People.

Little Lu will agree. So I made some pockets to insert into her summer vest.

I chose not to seek out a pocket making pattern. Come on, this can’t be very hard.

Cast on 40 stitches, leaving a 6 inch tail, then distribute stitches over three double point needles. Join together to work in the round. Work in stockinette stitch until piece is 3 inches tall. Flip the work inside out so the purl stitches are on the outside. Now move the first 20 stitches to one needle and put the second on waste yarn. Using the tail, sew the cast on edge together with whip stitch. Make a second pocket to match. Your pockets will be about three inches square and look like this:

When the body of your garment is longer than 3 inches, you can insert the pockets. Place stitch markers at the point where the pockets will go, marking 20 stitches between markers. Work to first marker. Holding the pocket against the back of your knitting, knit together each stitch of the garment with a stitch of the pocket. When you get 20 stitches knitted, turn work. Bind off the twenty stitches you just knit. Now slip the remaining 20 pocket stitches on to your left needle. Working in your pattern, continue to the second set of markers. Repeat to insert the second pocket. That’s it!

Here’s how the pockets look in the vest I am making:

Outside of vest:

Inside of vest:

This is an experiment. I promise to report back to you on how well this vest held up under vigorous, treasure-hunting use