Gathered Pullover

Gathered Pullover

Pattern Source:  Interweave Knits Winter 2007 or Knitting Daily

Yarn:  Henry’s Attic Peruvian Tweed

Needles: #6 US Knit Picks Options Circulars

Size: 32″

I love this sweater so much.  I fell in love with the colors in this yarn about 1.5 years ago.  I used some of it to make a scarf for a friend but because this yarn comes in 600 yd hanks, I had a ton left over on top of which because I love it so much I had bought a second hank.  I only used about 1.25 skeins of yarn.  I went down two needle sizes because I prefer fitted garments, I also added waist shaping – 4 decreases/4 increases.  This pattern was extremely easy and quick, I love the simplicity and though there is a cable motif, even that was simple.  I can’t say enough about this sweater, I love it, and my husband insists that this sweater is my best yet!  It’s definitely going to get a lot of wear this winter and winters to come.

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.

Prairie Tunic

Prairie Tunic

Pattern: Available at Knitting Daily. http://shop.interweave.com/Prairie-Tunic-P350C44.aspx

Yarn: Just under two skeins of Buckingham, Bristol Yarn Gallery

Needles: #3 US Inox Express Circulars

Gauge: 6 stitches/per inch

Pattern Notes and Modifications: Where to start? I went into this project with an open mind and tons of knowledge because I did a lot of research from other knitters who had made this top before me, so I was prepared to modify this project as much as possible in order to make it work for my body size. With my calculator in hand and pen and paper I did some quick math. I started with the back and cast on 94 stitches. I followed the pattern until the triangle extension, in which case I repeated the four edge stitch section 11 times, and then again followed the pattern instructions for the rest of the pattern. For the front I cast on 84 stitches and followed the pattern exactly just taking into account the 30 less stitches I originally cast on. Instead of keeping the slits on the sides I decided to sew them up, I like the way it looks a lot better. The length of the top ended up longer than I expected, but overall it works. I love this top a lot, it’s extremely delicate and it looks extremely intricate, but the pattern was so incredibly simple that I might make another one.