LOMST vs Gan: Comparing Two Basic Sweater-Vest Patterns
Earlier today I released a new pattern: LOMST (Looking Over Your Shoulder Tank). As many of you will know, I already have a basic sweater-vest pattern in circulation, called Gan. And because - from a distance at least - I imagine the two patterns could look similar, I wanted to explain the differences between these designs. So if you are wondering which would suit you better, or whether indeed you would benefit from having both, here is the info you need to compare them:
SHOULDER CONSTRUCTION
The main feature of LOMST is its saddle shoulders (hence the name ‘Looking Over Your Shoulder Tank’). The shoulders are a pronounced visual feature of the garment. Gan,
on the other hand, has ‘standard’ shoulders featuring faux seams (they appear to be seamed, but are in fact worked seamlessly).
NECKLINE
The other major difference between the designs is their necklines. LOMST has a crew neckline, exactly like a classic crewneck sweater.
Gan, on the other hand, has a more open, U-shaped neckline. And although both patterns also offer the option of a tall (polo/ turtle) neck, the underlying shape of the neckline still differs: While the LOMST neckline is closer fitting and rounder, the Gan neckline is really more of a u-shape. The photo below illustrates this well.
EDGINGS
LOMST by default features 1x1 edgings, as well as an option for a foldover neckband.
Gan by default features 2x2 edgings, as well as an option for lace edgings.
EXTRAS
LOMST offers an additional set of instructions for a long-line (dropped) shoulder style. Gan offers an appendix explaining how to modify for a higher neckline, deeper armholes, and a split hem.
Gan with lace edgings (left) and plain edgings (right)
HISTORY/ BACKGROUND
Delving deeper into the origins of the patterns, there is another element that distinguishes them - which makes no practical difference to you as the knitter, but is important to me as designer.
In its current form, Gan was published in 2021. But the original design dates back to 2017. Designed on request for a now-defunct yarn company, this pattern started out as a ‘feminine’ vest with a deep scoop neckline and lace trim. In the years after its initial publication, I began to notice that knitters were modifying it to be less frilly - essentially using the pattern for its core construction elements, but eliminating the exuberant details. So in response to this I eventually re-released the pattern in a paired-down form - still offering the original lace, but as an extra option rather than the default.
In this newer iteration, Gan has done very well as one of my basic/ core garment patterns. But from a designer’s perspective its ‘frilly DNA’ always bothered me a bit. It was almost as if I could see it showing through the classic/ minimalist veneer!
So with LOMST, it now feels as if I finally got the chance to release a sweater-vest pattern that from the very start was envisioned as a ‘clean’ basic design. And in that sense, it feels to me like a more intentional and more accomplished (for lack of a better word) pattern, simply because the final result is congruent with the original vision.
LOMST (Looking Over My Shoulder Tank)
Now available on ravelry, LOMST (Looking Over My Shoulder Tank) is suitable for those who would like to knit a classic crewneck sweater-vest, with saddle shoulders, in a DK weight yarn.
For those who prefer a vest in a heavier yarn, with a deeper neckline, and without the saddle shoulder element, the Gan pattern would be more suitable.
To me the two vest patterns look quite different stylistically in the shoulder and neckline areas, so I personally do not find them redundant and will continue to happily knit and wear both. But whether you ‘need’ them both is of course up to you. On my end, I am happy to provide options.
