Bay Pullover

Pattern/Technique: Bay Pullover by Jacqueline Cieslak, in size 5.

Initially estimated knitting size 4 (50” finished circumference) based on desired ease (4-6”) from samples from her site (the range of test knitters and included measurement into is incredible and I want all designers to do this).

Stitch gauge: 4.4 sts / in (designer: 4 sts / in)

Row gauge: 6.9 rows / in (designer: 7 rows / in)

Based on my gauge I sized up to the size 5, which would give me a 49” finished circumference.

Modifications: Underarms & Body: Knit 6 additional rows of body short rows (20 rows total) to add 1” additional length.

Cuffs & Finishing: knit 34 rows of cuff ribbing (5” unblocked at seam ridge) then bound off with modified icelandic bind off.

Materials: US6 knitting needle. Used size G crochet hook and worsted weight scrap yarn for provisional cast on.

6 skeins of Purl Soho Linen Quill Worsted in Cobalt

New skills: T-pin gauge measuring method. Leveled up my sweater fitting skills. Modified 3 needle bind off.

Lessons: Don't steam block on Cocoknits Knitters Blocks, the surface material is synthetic and will melt.

Learned a ton about fit and how to use gauge swatches to interpret how a knitting pattern will translate based on my knitting tension and body dimensions. Full notes are on this page in Notion, which is not shared publicly out of respect for Jacqui’s content. I would 100% recommend taking Jacqui’s Guided Sweater Workshop or Knitting Math for Curves classes to learn these methods.

What I'd do differently: Would love to try knitting this in a pure linen yarn for a drapey summer weight top.

Care: Hand wash & lay flat to dry.

Fen Shirt (Hacked)

I'm not thrilled with the way this project turned out, but it gave me the opportunity to experiment with rayon, fitting, and pattern modification, which was great. I wore it a few times before the armpit frayed out. Rather than mend it, I'll likely turn it into stuffing so it doesn't go to waste.

Pattern: Fen shirt by Fancy Tiger Crafts, modified to have a symmetrical hem (used seafoam polka dot top as template). Sewn in 100% rayon challis from Joann Fabrics

New skills: sewing rayon challis

Lessons: Rayon is quite tricky to sew, it's slippery and easy to stretch out of shape after you cut pattern pieces—this tutorial was a big help.

I learned a lot about fitting and fabric choice. I started out by sewing a toile following the vanilla Fen shirt pattern, but wasn't thrilled with the high-low hem. I adjusted the bottom hem to be symmetrical using a RTW rayon shirt as a template. Something about the neckline + fabric + cut strongly evokes "scrubs" and isn't really a style I'm going for in my everyday clothing.

What I'd do differently: Since making this I've started to dial in what types of fits & silhouettes I want in my clothes and cropped/tucked tops look awesome with my (proportionally) long legs. I'd like to revisit my original toile with the high-low hem to see how it looks with a high waisted trouser or palazzo pant.

Care: Hand wash, lay flat to dry