…A lovely camisole begins with a simple cast on…

The Traveling Vines Camisole, also known simply as #12 in the Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Vogue Knitting, is the next knit on my needles. The lace attracted me; it seemed easy enough for a beginner like me, and the neckline  is so pretty and drapey. I think in a simple black cotton/silk blend like Dalegarn Svale, it will be a classy, all-season piece.

The yarn has been in my stash for over three years. I had a pattern in mind when I first bought the yarn, but honestly, the pattern did not excite me any more. Back to the drawing board - or in this case - the back issues of knitting pattern magazines. I had hoped to stashbust this yarn for the black month of Project Spectrum. This camisole has been on my long list for awhile, and I think it will be a nice match with the yarn.

Ahh… now there we go.

Glee Tee
Pattern: Zephyr Style pattern
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Periwinkle
Needles: Size US 3 and 5 circular needles

Still a little rippling, but I feel that this is minimal compared to what it was! I followed the pattern, and only made one change: not adding the hook-and-eye closures to the neckband. This modification makes the Glee look a lot like one of the other Zephyr patterns, Ms. Marigold, doesn’t it? I loved the way the hook-and-eye closures looked on the model, but for me it was just not practical. If I want a version with them there in the future, I will make a bigger size. The hooks pulled the neckband out of shape. I heard about the hook-and-eye tape, but did not find any at my local craft store, and I did not pursue any other routes.

Overall, I am happy with the final product. Thank you for your kind comments on the last post before I did the neckband “surgery”. The color of the yarn - and the yarn itself - were definitely the highlights of this project. I bought this yarn over a year ago at a Stitch DC sale - got a great deal and fell in love with the color.  I initially had my mind on another project for it, but I soon realized how perfect it would be for this one.  I used 4.75 of the 5 hanks I bought for the Medium (36″) size.

I am already planning more garments in this wonderful yarn. Heather told me how much she enjoyed working with it, and Eunny and I recently discussed how amazing it is… so lightweight, with a beautiful drape, and an amazing color palette. Wouldn’t this pattern be great as a cardigan too? I was thinking about a 3/4 length sleeve with the band extended to the bottom. Maybe then some hook-and-eye closures?

This was my first top-down pattern, and I really enjoyed it. It seemed to knit up faster for me from the top-down, and I was able to try it on in the process. I made a small cap sleeve instead of a longer short sleeve. This was a big step for me, as I am notoriously self-conscious about my arms. Hopefully I will actually wear it out of the house!

Knitting in the round is so satisfying. Sometimes, the whole seaming process really stresses me out. This garment was so easy because when I finished knitting it, there was little else to do!

Wishing you all a good weekend~ I am off to DC to help Jenna with some packing and moving…

You gotta know when to hold ‘em…

You gotta know when to fold ‘em…

You gotta know when to rip the neckband and do it over again…

The hook-and-eye closures stretched out the neckline and made it look like romaine lettuce. 

…So, a completely finished Glee to come very soon…

Just need to do some tweaking.

(and I will share details in that post!)

Lest you think I only talk about knitting…

Glee has seen a lot of face time lately.

I predict a finished top in the next few days… this baby seems to be flying off of the size 5 needles. And she is a lovely periwinkle blue, even though these photos suggest otherwise.

A few more inches of length, a picked-up neckband, installation of hook-and-eye closures, and a little length to the sleeves.

Voila.

Spring is on the way, and this is going to be the perfect piece to usher in the warmer days!

And I am already thinking about another Zephyr Style knit for next month’s PS color scheme… what say you?

***

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…)