Molly Ringwald

Pattern:  Molly Ringwald – Knitting daily, or Knitscene Fall 2006

Yarn:  2.5 skeins of Gloss, Knitpicks.com

Needles:  #4 US Knitpick Options Circulars

Modifications:  I did some research before jumping into this project and had read several people’s notes about the loosenss of the top with all the ruffling.  I took that into consideration when choosing the yarn on top of which, the smallest size is a 34″ bust.  Gloss is a fingering weight yarn and I took the chance that by using a thinner yarn and smaller needles I would be able to knit a top that fit my bust size and without doing a swatch beforehand, I think I did a pretty good job.  It is a 3×1 rib, so I cast on 92 stitches and ommitted all selvedge stitches because once again, I knit this top in the round.  The decreasing and increasing was a little tricky and I’m not entirely convinced it looks that fantastic but I thinkit works. Because of my modifications, I didn’t have to add the single crochet along the edge to keep it tight.

Notes:  Of all the tops I’ve knit, this is definitely my favorite.  I went outside my comfort zone and went with a bluish-grey color.  I love everything about it, the color, the style, the design, the fit.  It is absolutely PERFECT!  I have some Gloss in Cabernet and I think I’m going to knit another.

Show-Off Ruffle Skirt

Show-Off Ruffle Skirt

Pattern: Can be found in Lace Style

Yarn: 7 balls of Knitpicks Cotlin

Needles: #4 US Knit Pick Options 24″ Circulars

Pattern Notes: Another Kat Coyle creation. I wasn’t impressed by the pictures in the book but every Kat skirt I have ever knit I have loved so I assumed that the Show-Off skirt would be no different and I was correct! I love this skirt! The bobbles started out as fun but after the 5th row they became tedious. I modified the lace and bobbles section by splitting it in half – front/back, so I wouldn’t stress myself out with having to knit 307 stitches at one time, plus I rather like my slits to be on the side. I am a huge fan of brown but after knitting the front half of the lace and bobbles, I wasn’t exactly sold, but after I finished it and added the red ribbon I was definitely sold on the brown. I only completed sevens bobble rows, I also only knit 12 rows after each decrease. Instead of a knit waist tie I just added more red ribbon.

I am not a huge fan of knitting with cotton but this yarn was a cotton and linen blend and I really really like this yarn a lot. I will definitely knit with Cotlin again and this may be my go-to cotton/cotton blend yarn.