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 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!)

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?

***

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…)

Street Smart Hoodie
Patons Street Smart booklet
Cottage Craft wool (from Stitches East)
(Sleeve one complete, working on back)

Royal Blue

Kristen Hat
Bea Ellis Knitwear
Dale of Norway Heilo

Periwinkle

Glee Tee
Zephyr Style
Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool

Patons Divine hat in Denim colorway

I am swimming in blue – and absolutely loving it.

Such an amazing and diverse color!

I cast on for two new projects. Both are early starts for Project Spectrum knits. I tend to gravitate towards the blue as this has been one of my favorite colors since I was a child. However, I have some plans for white and gray as well!

First, the one you know:

Oh, my Glee tee. This one is going to be good. I totally forgot how much I enjoy the top-down technique. I have only done it once before (for the One Skein Wonder) but I really like the way it works up, err… down The yarn is fantastic. It has a beautiful texture and great feel. Plus, the color is absolutely perfect for my tastes. The yarn has some rawness to it, but is also extremely elegant. I am very happy with it… and I only have an inch! Glee will probably take awhile to knit, but it will be simple, straightforward, and so wearable. That is a winner in my book.

Then, the one you don’t know:

You may recall that I bought the Kristen hat from Bea Ellis knitwear last year. I had grand plans to cast on for this for the Stranded Colorwork knitalong, which started last December (Nonnahs made a fun Bea Ellis hat, and Grumperina shared some tips from her recent Kristen adventure). However, it didn’t see the needles till now. Honestly, I was a little nervous about the colorwork, as this was my first attempt… but after actually doing it, I can say it is not bad! I can see myself getting addicted to this! I will need some more practice on floats and stranding, but that will come with time. Now that I am starting it, it is perfect timing for the new knitalong run by Hannah and company: Fair Isle February!

The yarn is Dale of Norway Heilo in navy as the main color, and ecru as the contrast color. The cotton liner seen here will be pressed and folded under later to protect my sensitive forehead from the wool.

Another new beginning: I start a new job tomorrow. It is not completely new, as I have been doing something similar for over two years at the same institution. However, this job carries more responsibility, and has the shiny title of Archivist attached to it. So, it is my first professional position after completing graduate school in December, and I am ready for the new challenge! Gung ho!

And I probably don’t have to tell you – but did you know that PROJECT SPECTRUM starts tomorrow??? Talk about a new beginning!

My plans were set for Project Spectrum’s first two-month span of knitting. Ambitious plans. (Remember? I am the girl with the plan…)

Then, I saw Carrie’s blog. The wheels started turning in my head.

I have the perfect yarn. It has been sitting in my stash without a definitive project for well over a year.

Got the pattern, balled up the yarn.

Cast on is imminent.

… I think I have a new favorite color…

I reserve the right to knit what I want whenever the mood strikes me!