Bugger!

The virus I had last week has returned to stuff up my sinuses, and I am home again, determined to stave off a descent of the infection to my chest. I sometimes get asthma, and my colds sometimes end up becoming bronchitis.

So, I'm bored. So, I thought I would explain what I am doing with this burgundy and cream top. You can't really see its beauty in the photograph in the sidebar.

First, I worked out a stitch pattern. On the right-side rows I knitted every stitch, and on the wrong-side rows I worked p3k1. I also offset the k1 by 2 sts every time I did it, and this has created a slight honeycomb effect and given a stiffer drape without making the garment too thick or heavy - it's a DK weight yarn. I took my gauge from this.

Then I cast on and worked as if I were making the Shapely tank/T. This is a great free pattern from Joan McGowan-McMichaels that I have used as the basis for a few garments. The only difference was that I made two fronts (each shaped on at the bottom on both sides as she indicates for the back and front) so eventually I had three pieces with the bottom shaping done:

I then knitted all three pieces onto the same needle and worked loong rows to the armhole. I worked the side-seam shaping that Joan has as optional, by marking the side seam with a knit stitch on both right- and wrong-side rows (so it looks like a little tower of garter stitch) and marking that with a stitch marker that I'd hit when I got to it on the wrong-side rows, where I wanted to do a knit stitch and then set up the next p3k1 repeat in the right place.

I worked the p3k1 repeats as I had already set them - I hadn't worked them out properly across the whole garment, but it didn't really matter because the rhythm was broken anyway by the fake sideseams, and also because I did the optional side-seam shaping for the ShapelyT on either side of the fake seam. I also made an attempt at the short-rowed bust darts - just littlies - and I like the effect they gave.

At the armhole I divided the work back into three at the side seams, and worked first the left front, then the back, and now i am working on the right front. I kept the stitch pattern going, and I shaped the armholes the same as a top in Vogue knitting Spring/Summer 2000 that I have already made. Here is the schematic of the back from that mag, showing the comfortable and flattering cap sleeve:

The front neckline I shaped into a fairly deep scoop neck.

When I am done with the right front I will crochet all around the edge, to stop the inevitable rolling, and create a row of small button holes down the front. Then I will need buttons, and it will be done.

I have just received this link from Peter. Love it!

Comments

[Annie]

Hey M-H! Hope you're feeling better soon...I'm bummed by the election results as well, but also feeling slightly encouraged that voter turnout was so high (still wish voting were compulsory here, though). Anyway, feel better soon!

[Laura]

Intrigued by the top. Have tried to imagine what it looks like, no luck so far. Sounds good though. Also, have been trying to email you but it keeps getting sent back to me!