Josie from above
Originally uploaded by Big Sister.
Earlier this summer Jenny knit Molly Ringwald and I got a bad case of sweater envy. On an excursion to Imagiknit, I saw that they had Silky Wool on sale. I bought enough to make Miss Molly, swatched it, discussed it with Jenny, then suddenly without warning I saw Alison's Josephine and all my attention turned in another direction.
I had 5 skeins of Artfibers Chai burning a hole in my stash for over two years. This poor lot of grey-green-blue silk had several intended lives. I had purchased it to make some version of Jane Ellison's Butterfly (although I now can't imagine that I would have had nearly enough, as I have about 5 grams left). Eventually it was going to become Annie Modesitt's Corset Tank Top. I swatched for both of these projects and the Chai just never spoke to the pattern. This time, this time it was yarn + pattern love at first swatch.
Specs
Pattern: Josephine by Deborah Newton, Interweave Knits Summer 2007
Yarn: Artfibers Chai, 5 skeins
Needles: US 4s
Modifications: Many
- Most notably the type of yarn. Instead of a smooth cotton, I used a slubby silk.
- I made more decreases in order to get the top closer to my bust size. I reduced 4 stitches on row one of each repeat for repeats 2-4. I also decreased as written and did a few more decreases on the last few rounds.
- I am knit it in the round
- My row gauge
was tighter than the pattern so I needed to add some short rows to the sleeves to make
them long enough to qualify as sleeves.
- I reduced the bust to have negative ease to account for silk eventually stretching. For the same reason I also shorted the armholes.
I am happier than I look in that photo. I love this top!
MEOW does that look good on you!
Posted by: aija | September 07, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Cute! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Janice | September 07, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Very lovely! I've been wanting to try out that yarn - it looks gorgeous! :)
Posted by: Stacey | September 07, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Very cute! Love that shade on you! Looks realllly nice!
Posted by: Michelle | September 08, 2007 at 06:58 AM
It looks great! And is super cute on you! :)
Posted by: Jennie | September 08, 2007 at 07:22 AM
It worked! This is a really great top, and the fit and colour on you are simply superb. Nice work, Little Miss Modification!
Posted by: alison | September 08, 2007 at 07:59 AM
great top!! I love the colour on you and the yarn is gorgeous too! Nice destashing ;)
Posted by: tini | September 08, 2007 at 11:11 AM
I love the blue green color!
Posted by: Stacey | September 08, 2007 at 03:08 PM
It's beautiful! I think the yarn was a perfect match for the pattern.
Posted by: orata | September 08, 2007 at 05:27 PM
What a perfect combination! That really is a good color for you. Between you and Jenny, I'm getting summer sweater envy, too! I usually steer clear of knitting tanks and shells and summer tops for some reason. But this is simply beautiful.
Posted by: Karma | September 08, 2007 at 08:52 PM
Yes! Stunning. Sometimes, you see something someone has made for themselves and it's all just perfect. You SHOULD love it. It's perfect.
Posted by: Bells | September 09, 2007 at 03:12 AM
What else to say but "purty."
And nice color, I swan.
Posted by: Tanya | September 09, 2007 at 12:07 PM
That is so great on you! Very pretty top!
Posted by: tiennie | September 09, 2007 at 07:52 PM
I hadn't eve ngiven that pattern a second look in the magazine, but yours is inspiring! now I have to add it to my list of things I want to knit )but probably never will because I don't have time anymore).
Posted by: Susan | September 10, 2007 at 08:30 AM
It's fantastic, and the color is perfect for you!
Posted by: Gina | September 10, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Looks great on you, I want to make this top too!
Posted by: Kala | September 11, 2007 at 11:47 AM
It looks beautiful. And it's a fantastic fit for you.
Posted by: Amy Boogie | September 12, 2007 at 01:22 PM
It's been said by almost everyone who's commented so far, but that truly is a gorgeous color on you. It really makes the design pop, too. The pattern didn't really catch my eye when I saw it in IK - the color was kind of boring as I recall. But this is truly stunning. Hope you really enjoy wearing it!
Posted by: Deborah | September 12, 2007 at 06:14 PM
It looks phenomenal on you! What a great choice of yarn and pattern - you were totally right. They were a match made in heaven. Great color on you too. Makes me consider putting that on my list...
Posted by: Kathy | September 12, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Oh my gosh, this top looks ever so beautiful! I absolutely love the pattern, and the color you've been using seems to be the perfect one indeed! You look fantastic in it! Congratulations!
Posted by: Dipsy D. | September 15, 2007 at 01:30 AM
Girl, that is gorgeous. But so is Jenny's But so is yours. If I still kinit things for myself, I would make both. For myself.
Posted by: anne | September 17, 2007 at 10:10 AM
clearly it was worth the wait to find the right pattern for such a beautiful yarn! Looks wonderful on you.
Posted by: Juls | September 20, 2007 at 06:27 AM
Terrific color and cool pattern. I love the neckline. Enjoy!
Posted by: Psyched 2 Knit | September 22, 2007 at 07:31 AM
That looks smashing! Way to Modify!
Makes me want to knit it.
Posted by: Candace Belako | September 26, 2007 at 06:56 AM