Having made only one other item from the top-down, I had completely forgotten the allure. It takes shape so quickly, and you can even try it on! The Glee pattern from Zephyr Style is a cute stylish knit that will be a great piece for spring and summer. I have been working on it pretty regularly over the past few days (save for the sock marathon of the snowy Sunday) and just put the sleeve caps on some waste sock yarn. I will return to them later. I am hoping to have enough yarn to make them elbow-length, but if not, a cap sleeve will suit me just fine. Seeing the lovely version that the Girl Who Knits just finished up makes me want to have my own version even sooner!
 |
 |
I am using Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, and what a cool yarn it is! It has some natural qualities (read: it has little bits of raw silk and “matter” in it) but it has a wonderful texture and drape, and works up into a nice knit fabric. I got gauge with size US 5 needles, and this is perfect for the DK weight of the yarn. This lovely color, 027 Periwinkle, was purchased for a bargain at a Stitch DC sale day back in 2005. I didn’t have a pattern in mind when I first picked it up, but now that I started Glee, I know this yarn was fated to be this pattern! It creates a light fabric that will be ideal (not hot) for the hot summers that we will undoubtedly encounter here in Maryland.
It’s funny how a project like this can make one pine for the changing of seasons…
(Yes, this is coming from the girl who was wishing for blizzards and heavy wools just a few months ago…)
I’ve been feeling pretty ready for the change of seasons myself. I’ve been gearing up for my first garden in our house!
Glee is looking great!
I think the “looking forward to the next season” thing is a bit like “the grass is always greener…” – but I agree that I’m ready for more spring and less winter.
I love the color! What a cute knit it will be. Don’t worry, the cherry blossoms will be blooming in less than 2 months! (I hope because that is when I’m going to DC!)
I love knitting cardis from the top down. So simple and they always fit me well. I love the Silky Wool, that’s a great color and will look wonderful on you. It’s fun to knit and dream of the season ahead – picturing yourself wearing your new “Glee”, walking down a sun dappled street with the leaves freshly emerging on the trees – what’s not to love?
we always want what we don’t have–especially when it comes to the weather, I think! Can’t wait to see it take more shape. I’m still planning on knitting a sweater for myself this year (hoping to get through a bit more stash before then), and it will be top down as well. And as I said before, that yarn intrigues me, so it’s good to hear all the info you can give about it.
Glee is on my to-do list, too! What a great color and a great yarn! Can’t wait to see if finished!
I am a true convert to knitting from the top down, especially summery tops like Glee. The fit can’t be beat. That Glee is going to be perfect for spring/summer, like perhaps at MDSW?
It’s funny, I was just thinking about Glee and wondering what I had in stash appropriate for it.
I love the color — and I was thinking about making one in silky tweed, so I am happy to see you making it in silky wool! 
Looking good!
I could go for some spring right now too! That is going to look amazing in that color – I love it!
Glee is looking beautiful! We’ve been getting a lot of rain recently, so I’m looking forward to lovely spring days too.
I love top down, I’ve done it for 2 sweaters and it helps to keep the stockinette from being mindless…that is going to be a gorgeous color on you and silky wool wears great!
This is looking fantastic!
It’s coming right along! That reminds me, I’ve been wanting to start a blue top-down tee of my own! (Rusted Root)
Too funny — I got my first Silky Wool on sale at Stitch DC in 2005 too!
The tee is looking great!
That is one of very few sweaters I can see doing with short sleeves. Although I myself am more partial to your blue.
We are Zephyring it up at the same time, woo! Top-down raglans are so clever and it’s so nice that you can custom fit them. While it certainly will be great for warmer temps, I sure that you could use some clever laying to wear it across the seasons. The color will certainly brighten your spirit no matter what time of year.
i love knitting raglan sleeve sweaters from the top down. and i love being creative with them as i go adding things that werent there to begin with like hoods or pockets or edges or putting in large sweatshirt type pockets or altering the whole thing and making something else out of it instead of a long sleeve yep knitting from the top down leaves you alot of room to play
lookin’ good! that is such a pretty blue.
Now I know what I can do with my silky wool… mmm, red. I’d bought it for a cabled sweater but the drape was too drapey. Yay! Thanks for the inspiration!
It looks great! The color seems just perfect for that pattern. I haven’t even started my spring/summer knitting. But I’ve been looking. Oh yes, I have.
So you are liking the yarn? I have a love hate with the yarn. Wasn’t the snow Sunday pretty?
Glee is looking good! I especially love the color that you picked.
I have seen Girl Who Knit’s Glee firsthand and it is really a great sweater. So I am really excited to see yours all knit up.
Hey, it’s sunny today! I’ll bet you’ll be wearing that sweater by the end of March.
There’s one photo that shows just a hint of grey in this blue EL Silky Wool which I’m just loving. Glee is looking very nice!
Glee looks great, love the color it’s going to go great with your eyes/coloring. You are really inspiring me to knit that, I may have to go stash diving! =)
Silky Wool will be perfect for that top. I am pretty fond of that yarn myself ever since I made Cutaway with it. You are making great progress. Looks great!
Glee is looking great!
Between you and Grumperina I’m sold on Periwinkle! The sweater looks lovely.
looks great so far! you’ll love wearing it, i’m sure. and sometimes isn’t it nice to just knit stockinette?
OOoooOOOHHh! That IS cute.
What a great color! I have had my eye on a couple of those patterns….can’t wait to see yours finished!!!
I don’t know if you got my email about maybe coming back to MSW this year, but it’s not going to work out. My sister’s pharmacy school graduation is the same weekend. Too bad, it would have been fun to see you again!
I haven’t knit a top-down in forever. Yours is coming along nicely, the color definitely suits you!
It’s looking so good! I want to make it too.
She’s a real beaut’!
I love Glee, and that color is really going to look fabulous on you! Nice choice
Cute pattern- I look forward to seeing yours knit up. The color is amazing!
I like the top-down style, too, went to the Zephyr website and got Glee and Green Gables. Thanks for pointing these out to me. Green Gables in on the needles already!