For summer, which is year round in Florida, I am knitting a pattern by Heidi Kirrmaier called “Over the Top Tee“. She knit it using silk yarn, and I am knitting it using linen yarn, which I have not used before.

Once I bought the pattern, I began searching for a good, summer weight yarn. My first choice was linen, but I looked at other options. I wrote a blog post about my search for summer yarns, and have collected a list of my favorites to try.

The yarn I chose for this project is Berroco Stonewash Linen Indio, which is a discontinued yarn. I first bought 7 skeins on sale at Wool and Company, but ended up buying the last 3 skeins just in case I need them for length. I was afraid I would not find matching yarn if I needed it. At $7 a skein, it was not as expensive as some yarn.

The Over the Top Tee is a pullover style which is knit from the top down. Because my yarn choice is not what the designer used, I knit a swatch using size 3 needles to see how close I was to gauge. It was a bit small, and after I washed and blocked it, it was even smaller.

Because the stitch count was just a bit short, I began the knitting project going up to a size 4 needle. I’m knitting size L2. For this pattern you need 2 extra needles that will hold provisional cast-on stitches. I used the crochet provisional cast on. The back of the top is begun on these needles and then connected with backward loop cast-on stitches and knit to the end. I could not picture how this pattern would come together.

Heidi’s pattern looks overwhelming (to me!) at first glance – it’s 9 pages long, but sizes are grouped into sections, so only one part of some pages applies to my size. I always read through and highlight all the parts pertaining to the size I am knitting – L2 in this case. I am familiar with this type of pattern writing from knitting her Fine Sand sweater.

After a few days of knitting, here is where I am on this project. The back sections have been knit and I am finishing up the second shoulder. I learned that my provisional yarn was too fuzzy, and I need to find something else to use next time. I had no problem picking up the stitches, but occasionally I would catch some of the waste yarn. A smoother waste yarn is what I need – notes made!

At first I was happy enough with this yarn, but further into the project I changed my mind.

Even though I am still a bit confused when looking at the project – I believe it will all come together as it should. The directions are easy to follow, so I am just doing as I’m told and expecting a top shape here soon… LOL.

Connecting to Work in The Round

Once the shoulders and front and back yoke areas are knit, the project is knit on the wrong side. Now the edges are connected, front and back so I am knitting, and purling a little, around and around. It’s stress-free knitting I can even do at night!

There are some short rows to do, and I am skipping those!!! When I knit the Fine Sand sweater, I had a lot of trouble with my short rows – mainly because I had never done them. I think this top will be fine for me without the shaping.

I now have lots of circular knitting (and a little purling) to do down to the hem, where a ribbing will be added. Then the neck and sleeves will need to be finished. I’ll be able to get this done quickly I think as I have other projects lined up behind this one. I’m trying to be a more monogamous knitter so I don’t have projects calling to me as I pass by the baskets.

Project on Hold

As I have been knitting down the body of this top, and there is a lot of that to do, I’m realizing that I don’t like the yarn. It looks and feels more like a burlap sack than a comfortable top. For now, this is on hold until I decide what to do. This yarn would be more suitable for a bag. I may use it to crochet one.

The pattern is a good one, and I would love to try again with a better yarn. But I am not going to continue with this.

Also On My Needles

• A linen cap (not using the linen yarn above) for myself to wear while we are flying around in our boat. Hair can become very knotted without a covering, and a regular hat flies off. I’m using the Ribbed Watchcap & Beanie pattern by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas.
• Snowfall Socks, using Tukuwool yarn, which is very scratchy. I’m not sure I will finish these because of the yarn … and because I really don’t enjoy knitting socks!
• Honey Cowl (#2) using Miss Babs K2 bulky yarn. This is a very easy, free pattern.
• Need to get the fringe onto my Moon Sisters shawl.
• Just finished, but plan to knit again, the Skiff Hat in pretty cables.