Finally, a Bit of Fluff

Mewsley may be a bully but she made me finish my Lacey Top.

It’s taken me a horrendous 2 months to knit! I have knit socks and a cushion cover in that time too.

Wanna see my little bit of fluff??

And the back view…

It’s very fluffy and soft – and warm!   I once said on here that Kidsilk Haze is “as soft as kitten bellies” and I stand by that description!

After looking at those pictures, I think it will look better when layered over something long sleeved – I’m not very good at short sleeved jumpers! I’ll need to experiment…

Casting off the button bands was an unexpected ordeal. 😯

I usually cast off with a size larger needle than the one used to knit the band – nothing unusual there.  So I knit on a 3.25 and cast off with a 3.75mm – it was WAY too tight and crinkled up the front. Tinking that back was a nightmare and took a couple of hours. I had no choice – it ruined the garment.

I cast off again with 4.50mm – STILL TOO TIGHT!! 🙁

In the end, a 5.50mm needle was loose enough – I think the way the KSH sticks to itself like cheap clingfilm might have something to do with it. I’d definitely advice using a HUGE needle to cast off if you can.

Sewing on the now infamous “four sleeve” took some thought too.

The pattern said to sew the two layers of sleeve together then sew them to the body. I didn’t think I could get a neat enough finish like that so I mattress stitched the top, shorter sleeve as I would normally then over sewed the under, longer sleeve to the seam on the inside. This seemed to work.

Here’s the sleeve …

Here’s the last piccie – my chest, fluffily enrobed in Kidsilk Haze lace…

Do you remember that this was supposed to put a 4 ball dent in my Kidsilk Haze  mountain?? I’m not quite sure how it happened but this top only used 2.5 balls!

My destashing efforts, thwarted again!

Completed Knit Report
Name: Lacy Top
Pattern: Rowan Studio 12
Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze
Pattern Problems: None except needing to make 4 sleeves!
Pattern Modifications: None
Washing and Wearing: unknown so far…warn though
Knit It Again???: too distinctive – a nice knit though.
Difficulty: medium – shaping the lace is tricky
Rating: 3/5
Other Postings Relating To This One: Avoidance, excuses and procrastination

How many sleeves?

Cracksilk Haze

13 Responses

  1. mooncalf
    mooncalf February 3, 2009 at 4:45 pm | | Reply

    “sticks to itself like cheap clingfilm” – love that description!

    It sounds like this project was a lot of work but it was definitely worth it. The sleeves are adorable. I have to compliment you on the buttons too – perfect match.

  2. Abi F
    Abi F February 3, 2009 at 5:03 pm | | Reply

    Ooh it’s turned out fab, well done.

  3. SewIknit2
    SewIknit2 February 3, 2009 at 5:31 pm | | Reply

    oh dear! I wish I’d stuck with mine now, except mine was a rather wishy washy colour! I think it looks super and suits you! but agree about the long sleeved top beneath.
    Afraid I discarded mine after going horrendously wrong BEFORE starting the lace pattern.
    Good for you!
    HugsSue

  4. Jill
    Jill February 3, 2009 at 5:33 pm | | Reply

    This is lovely, and the colour is great. I have 3 balls of KSH, I wonder if it would be enough? With only 2 sleeves, though.

  5. CraftyCripple
    CraftyCripple February 3, 2009 at 6:18 pm | | Reply

    Oh I am also tempted to do this top, it is gorgeous and I happen to have the odd (few) balls of KSH knocking about. Don’t know if I have quite the patience you do though. I would probably still be doing this in 2012. I like the colour too, why don’t we have that shade in our store

  6. Joan
    Joan February 4, 2009 at 12:44 am | | Reply

    It’s gorgeous!

  7. Beverly
    Beverly February 5, 2009 at 9:21 am | | Reply

    This looks really gorgeous! A lovely pattern. There’s another very pretty lacey pattern for Kidsilk in the Jan. issue of The Knitter mag. I’m trying it now but it’s taking a while for me to get used to it.

  8. Erika
    Erika February 5, 2009 at 5:00 pm | | Reply

    So beautiful!!!

  9. Kay
    Kay February 5, 2009 at 8:45 pm | | Reply

    It’s lovely and the colour is really fab. By the way, did you get to use the ‘I’m on the 4th sleeve’ line?

  10. lucy
    lucy February 6, 2009 at 7:15 pm | | Reply

    What a fabulously cute top. I’ve just found your blog (just started knitting and crocheting again after many years) and was looking for knitting blogs. I’m going to have a good read tonight. The blue knitted cardi (40s style) that was used in a mag is divine…you are very talented! Nice to meet you, Lucyxx

  11. snoopydog
    snoopydog February 7, 2009 at 4:20 pm | | Reply

    That’s a lovely top! Love the pattern and the colour. Well worth the wait to see the finished item. The sleeves look really good.

  12. Dawn
    Dawn February 11, 2009 at 10:25 pm | | Reply

    Hi there, I have just started reading your blog, and am very much enjoying the superb photos, the KSH top is particularly pretty. Dawn

  13. Katie
    Katie February 28, 2009 at 4:48 pm | | Reply

    I love this top! It’s so cute, and the colour is lovely! 🙂

    —-
    http://www.knit1pearl1.webs.com
    Knitted baby wear & toys x

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