Knitting

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Lace Weight Top Knitting Pattern

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I feel like the most important thing in the summer is keeping cool. I live in the southern United States and it’s hot all the time in the summer months, so having clothing that is cool and lightweight is really important.

Using fine or superfine yarn is a great way to make a summer garment that isn’t too heavy to wear. Or, in the case of the Trilo Tee from Sachiko Burgin, lace weight yarn. Yes, that’s 0 on the standard yarn weight scale, but don’t be intimidated. The pattern uses size 5 and 7 US knitting needles and calls for a gauge of 20 stitches to 4 inches, which isn’t too terrible.

Also, the pattern is mostly stockinette stitch, with a bit of lace at the bottom edges, so it’s not too difficult to deal with this tiny yarn. It does, however, make a garment that is translucent, so plan for that when you choose yarn and what to wear underneath.

The pattern comes in nine sizes, ranging in chest measurement from 35.25 to 70.5 inches. It’s worked in the round from the bottom up, with the only seam happening at the underarms. It’s meant to be cropped and has short sleeves, but of course you can make the garment longer if you like.

As written, the smallest size uses less than 500 yards of yarn. It’s recommended to use a mohair blend yarn for extra fuzziness, but if you’re knitting the top to wear during the summer you might not want the extra warmth so any kind of lace weight yarn will do. Maybe you can knit it twice and have tops you can wear all yarn long! There are some silk and bamboo options shown in the project gallery for this pattern, so be sure to check those out if you’re thinking of using other fibers.

You can get a copy of this pattern for yourself on Ravelry.

[Photo: Sachiko Burgin]

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Comments

  1. I live in England, I saw this beautuful jumper to knit, but very frustating I cannot see ir get the pattern

  2. Martina tetenburg. Type ‘trilo top’ into the search on ravelry. I’ve just found it and purchased it that way and I’m in the uk.

Have you read?

Practice Colorwork on a Cute Knit Bunny

Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]