Knit an Easy Lacy Top for Summer

I love the look of mesh tops for summer, but I don’t know that I would ever actually wear one that’s full of giant holes, even though I admit they look cool (in both senses of the word) on other people.

What I would wear, though, is something that’s still lacy but maybe a little bit more subdued, like this chevron lace knit top from Yarnspirations.

This easy to knit T-shirt style top is worked flat in two pieces from the bottom up, using and easy lace pattern that’s a repeat of 10 stitches and four rows (though the wrong side rows are just purled, so there’s only two rows you need to learn the pattern on).

It has little cap sleeves that are worked as part of the top by casting on stitches where you need them.

If you’re new to lace knitting this is a good one to try because the pattern includes both written and charted instructions, and the only skills you need are yarn over, knit two together, slip slip knit and slip 1 knit 2 together pass the slipped stitch over (which makes a centered decrease).

There are four size options available (which they claim is enough to cover XS to 5XL), with finished chest measurements ranging from 38.5 inches (that’s 98 cm) to 59 inches, or 150 cm. The amount of ease would vary widely depending on your size and the size garment you choose. For example the largest size is said to fit a chest measurement from 5258 inches/132-147.4 cm, which gives you a range of ease from 1-7 inches, or 2.5 to 17.78 cm, depending on your size. Just something to be aware of when you think about how you want it to fit.

The project calls for Red Heart Cotton Breeze yarn, which isn’t a yarn I’ve tried yet, but it’s a DK weight acrylic and cotton blend, which should make a lightweight top that’s great for summer.

Grab the free pattern from Yarnspirations.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

As the temperatures start getting cooler as they are doing now where I live, all I want to do is knit blankets or be under knit blankets or be under a blanket while knitting it.

If you’re new to knitting or just looking for an easy and cozy knit blanket project, check out the Knit Squares Blanket from Mama in a Stitch.

The blanket is worked in bulky yarn all in one piece on a long circular knitting needle (though it is knit flat) and using alternating blocks of stockinette, reverse stockinette and seed stitch with a garter stitch border.

Though the original pattern has you working all in one piece across the blanket, and in a single color, this design got me thinking about lots of different ways you could work it.

Of course you could still work it in one piece and either add horizontal stripes of color. Just change colors at the end of a section of pattern blocks (and work a knit row all the way across on the first row of the new color to keep the color changes crisp) and you’ll have a different look. Or use two colors and change colors in the middle.

You could also make vertical stripes of color using intarisa. In that case I’d probably knit the border in a single color and then start the stripes after.

If intarsia isn’t your thing, you could also work the project in individual panels of 16 or 32 stitches and then sew them together by hand. In that case you’d want to work the border after the project is knit and seamed. And then you can easily make it bigger, too, by working more columns and making them longer.

And while you’re changing colors with abandon, if you’re working in panels you could also change colors every block to give it a patchwork look and use up all your leftover yarn. (If you don’t have lots of chunky leftovers try holding two strands of worsted weight together.)

Whatever way you knit it, this blanket looks to be a cozy addition to your home for fall and winter. Grab the free pattern from Mama in a Stitch.

[Photo: Mama in a Stitch]

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