A Sleeveless Raglan for Summer

Just because we are looking for quick, easy, lightweight knits in the summer, that doesn’t mean we can’t learn some techniques along the way.

The Big Wave top from Heidi Kirrmaier is a good introduction to raglan shaping for those who haven’t done it before, but you don’t have to knit sleeves.

She uses the same kind of shaping you’d see in a top-down raglan sweater but instead of sleeves there are only straps.

Eyelets are used at the neckline and along the sides for extra summery fun and a feminine, A-line shape. This would be a great one to knit in wool as well to use for layering in the fall.

The pattern is $6.80 and is available on Ravelry.

[Photo: Heidi Kirrmaier.]

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The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

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