PENCIL SKETCH CAMISOLE (Iris G)
Filatura Di Crosa Adhoc Pepe (viscose/linen), #11 (110 yards per ball) 3.5 balls
Debbie Bliss Cathay (cotton/viscose/silk), #12006 (109 yards per ball) 2/3 ball
Rowan Handknit Cotton (cotton), #309 (93 yards per ball) 1/4 ball
US 4, 24" and 16" bamboo circular needles
I really enjoyed making the Pencil Sketch Camisole -- thanks Iris! Overall, the pattern was very easy to follow, and it produced a wonderful end product. The fabric is drapey and slightly shiny, thanks to the lovely Pepe and Cathay yarns. I think it came out great!
There were a few instructions I found ambiguous or slightly confusing, but I think I figured everything out (I'll be sure to tell Iris where I was confused, so she can address this if need be). In one place, I got myself into trouble because I had added stitch markers on either side of the lace panel stitches in addition to the 2 markers (at left and right sides) Iris suggested in the pattern. The instructions told me to "knit to marker" and I accidentally stopped at the first marker I came to (which was one of mine) -- oops! I figured it out, though.
Modifications:
Although I initially thought I was getting stitch gauge with my swatch, I realized before casting on that I really wasn't, so I decided to cast on 150 stitches (instead of the 162 in the pattern). I also had to adjust for my row gauge, which was too tight, by knitting extra rows.
My trim yarn (Rowan Handknit Cotton) was thicker and stiffer than might be desirable, but I had it in my stash, so I went ahead and used it. If you make this top, I would definitely suggest using something more delicate, like the silk tape Iris used to trim her original Pencil Sketch. I would have used the leftover Pepe or Cathay, except I really liked the idea of a paler trim.
I only used the trim color on the neck and sleeve openings (Iris also uses it along the bottom of the camisole). Because my trim yarn was a little more robust, after picking up stitches for the sleeve trim, I knit only 2 rounds in stockinette stitch, then did one round of k1p1 rib before binding off in k1p1 rib. Likewise, after picking up stitches for the neck trim, I worked only one round in stockinette stitch before binding off in picot trim. Iris used a random combination of 2, 3, or 4 stitches between picots, but I ended up using 3 stitches between each of my picots.
I did start working on Mystery Stole 3 last week. (Woo, hoo!) I'm actually farther along than the picture shows (I'm halfway through Clue 2 now), however, reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" this weekend took a large chunk out of my knitting time (but I'm OK with that -- I really enjoyed the book!) : )
Amazon had given me a UPS tracking number (that appeared to work!), but my book ended up coming via the US Postal Service at my regular mail time (around 5 pm, grrrrrrr....) on Saturday, so I didn't get to start reading until late in the day. My husband and I switched off reading the book Saturday evening and Sunday morning, but I was a total hog on Sunday afternoon, so I had finished the book by dinner time.
Moana doesn't really get lace...
and she's totally not into wearing a babushka.
43 comments:
What a cute top! You did a great job- congrats!
Oh my, that top came out beautifully! It fits you SO WELL. Great job!
p.s. Glad you loved the book, too--I adored it.
The top looks great! I really want to knit one...just need to find the right yarn.
Your MS is looking great too. I am loving it.
Beautiful work as always! And great fit to boot!
The cami is adorable! I really like the picots around the neckline.
Wow.. it looks great! Good job!
Oh my gawrsh that is beautiful! Why the heck can't some of the knit magazines use you for a model, huh? Heck, photographer too. You look fantastic in it, you show it off well, you let us see the entire garment... And knit beautifully. You need to get yourself hired.
Moana may not get lace, but she's looking very lovely, too!
wow, that is such a cute top, shame i ain't got a fab figure like you, it looks stunning on you..."green with envy"..must start that diet tomorrow
xx
Well don't you look fabulous?! I love how it's a little vintage, and a little modern. Great job!
What a cute top! You've done a great job!
What a beautiful top! The drape looks so good and it fits you perfect.
Your cami is super cute! I really love the colours and how it turned out!
MS is looking good! So does your kitty wearing it "babushka", but I guess she wasn't that pleased with it after all, was she?
Can't wait to see what will you knit next :D
Your Pencil Sketch Cami is beautiful and it looks great on you.
The cami is lovely. I like how the darker stripe really compliments your shape. Good job! I hope you get lots of wear out of it, because it's really cute.
I second staci's comment about the colored stripe accentuating your figure. The cami turned out really well.
Poor Mona! Well, I say that half-heartedly because I love your cat pictures. I threaten my brood with them. "See. That kitty is wearing hand knits. What's wrong with you guys?!"
The Pencil Sketch looks great! I really like the strip you added around the middle.
Congratulations! You did a wonderful job on your cami. I would knit one for myself, but I know in my heart that it just would not look as perfect as it does on you. (I have floppy old lady arms :-)
Congratulations, again - it looks fabulous!
It is positively adorable on you. It looks like a perfect fit. And how much do I love that color combo?!
Your cami came out great! So flattering!
You look super-fantastic in it! Great colors and the drape is so lovely! And I can't express my gratitude enough--thanks for all the suggestions;-). Wear it with pride!
Your lace is looking good, and I actually think Moana looks cute with it!
Need. To. Knit. It.
Thanks so much for turning me onto this pattern. I've been watching its progress since you first posted about it. Hmmm, I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow... it could be a great project to take with me... must go stash diving!
Simply beautiful. I hope it gets a lot of use.
Wowwee! That is gawgeous!
You look fantabulous in your new cami! Great job with the subs, as they compliment each other - and the pattern - perfectly.
Way to go on MS3, too!
Wow, the tank is perfect! I really enjoyed the book, too.
Can't wait to see more of the stole!
Beautiful top!! I love how it fits you so perfectly. Great color choice on the top and your Mystery Stole.
that top is perfect! i love greeeeeeeen soooo much. the fit is tailored well, and i think you've done a splendiferous job :)
Your top looks great!
And MS3 too :) I'm having lots of fun with it.
Wow. Gorgeous. I LOVE the neckline. The colors are great too--fab top.
What a wonderful job you did on that - it fits perfectly and is VERY couture.
Perhaps Moana would like it better in a different color?? or with catnip beads?
The top is gorgeous. It fits you like a glove. I am downloading the pattern right now. Thank you for drawing my attention to this cute cami.
love the shell, very nice! I really like the lighter color edging accent
Love the camisole, especially the three different colors of green!
wow - great job on the camisole - it is really beautiful!! i can't believe you've only been knitting since '06!
The top is very beautiful.It fits on you.You are very thinny.
Cool! I didn't realize I could leave comments! Hi!!! Your work is fantastic! I love the babushka! And there were other things that I was going to say but since Im not looking at your page and just the page where I type in my comments, I have forgotten them. Oh well!!! :) Your knitting makes me all excited! Hugs!
Wow! That's fabulous! And it looks lovely on you. I love how the neckline crosses over.
Cat models are not as easy to manipulate as dog models, are they :)
Oooh La La! Another stunner!I told you that sweater was going to look excellent on your waspy waist. I love the stripe - it's an unexpected little splash.
I can't wait to see what you whip up next....
Nice top! Now I might have to knit one for myself :) Thanks for the link to the pattern.
Hi - thanks for visiting my blog so many times!! I haven't completed too many toys in the last week or so but have got to get a move on now before Cressida arrives !! You look fantastic in your lovely top - and Moana is just exquisite!! Love the look on her face - your lace knitting is beautiful - I have yet to knit anything large in lace but it WILL happen(along with socks )(hopefully)
The sweater turned out lovely! It's definitely something to keep in mind when you don't have enough of one color yarn to complete a sweater... And, of course, I support cats-in-babushkas!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I love the cami! It is now on my to be knit list!
I am way behind on my MS3! I JUST finished Clue 2...
What a lovely cami! It fits perfectly.
Wow that is beautiful and looks so great on you!
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