Spring Interweave - Soap Bubble Wrap
The Spring Interweave preview is up and I have two designs in it.
My Soap Bubble Wrap is currently available at Knitting Daily as a free download until May 14.
For this design, I wanted to play around with the dolman sleeve shape. I also thought it would be fun to have a splash of lace asymmetrically placed at the hip and shoulder. The dolman sleeve made it possible to continue the lace uninterrupted from the front shoulder to the back. I didn't know much about the mechanics of dolman sweaters so I turned to Melissa and Angela, both of whom have designed brilliant dolman sweaters, for advice. Because the dolman sleeve doesn't start precisely at the top of the shoulder, it's sometimes difficult to determine where the sleeve hem will end. To prevent it from dragging too far down along the length of the arm as well as to minimize the heaviness of the sweater, I decided to make it a 3/4 sleeve rather than a full length sleeve. Here's my proposal sketch:
I love the choice of linen for this sweater. I've only recently discovered linen. My first project in it was the Versailles Shell, my first dip into the uncertain waters of independent design. And I completely fell in love with it. I like that it's machine washable and dryable. I like its rustic simplicity and how surprisingly comfortable and light it feels next to the skin.
Eunny was nice enough to let me choose between the sportweight linen and the worsted weight linen. I was so torn over what to use that I subjected poor Melissa (who incidentally, has a gorgeous tunic in the same issue) and many of her coworkers to my multiple multiple swatches:
In the end, since the consensus was split (for the record, Melissa voted for the worsted weight), I went with the sportweight linen. I had worked with it and loved the resulting fabric for the Versailles Shell and given a choice, I almost always choose the lighter gauge. After knitting almost the entire back in the sportweight linen, I realized that a oversized wrap sweater knit in sportweight yarn might not be the most feasible idea and I started over in the worsted.
I used a knitted at the same time garter stitch band to reference the rustic simplicity of the yarn and thought it was a nice contrast to the fussier daintiness of an open lace stitch at the shoulder and hip.
For me, this project was a departure (dolman vs. set in sleeve, oversized vs. fitted) and I really enjoyed it. Eunny asked me to make this garment in a slightly larger sample size, so it's a bit big for me, but I managed to take a quick snap of it before I sent it off to Interweave:
I kind of feel like I want to take up kung fu again when I wear this. Perhaps some day, I'll reknit this in the sportweight gauge. I think it would make a really lightweight and comfortable garment.
I hope people will enjoy making it and wearing it.
I'll talk about the Silk Cocoon Cardigan in a future post.
My Soap Bubble Wrap is currently available at Knitting Daily as a free download until May 14.
For this design, I wanted to play around with the dolman sleeve shape. I also thought it would be fun to have a splash of lace asymmetrically placed at the hip and shoulder. The dolman sleeve made it possible to continue the lace uninterrupted from the front shoulder to the back. I didn't know much about the mechanics of dolman sweaters so I turned to Melissa and Angela, both of whom have designed brilliant dolman sweaters, for advice. Because the dolman sleeve doesn't start precisely at the top of the shoulder, it's sometimes difficult to determine where the sleeve hem will end. To prevent it from dragging too far down along the length of the arm as well as to minimize the heaviness of the sweater, I decided to make it a 3/4 sleeve rather than a full length sleeve. Here's my proposal sketch:
I love the choice of linen for this sweater. I've only recently discovered linen. My first project in it was the Versailles Shell, my first dip into the uncertain waters of independent design. And I completely fell in love with it. I like that it's machine washable and dryable. I like its rustic simplicity and how surprisingly comfortable and light it feels next to the skin.
Eunny was nice enough to let me choose between the sportweight linen and the worsted weight linen. I was so torn over what to use that I subjected poor Melissa (who incidentally, has a gorgeous tunic in the same issue) and many of her coworkers to my multiple multiple swatches:
In the end, since the consensus was split (for the record, Melissa voted for the worsted weight), I went with the sportweight linen. I had worked with it and loved the resulting fabric for the Versailles Shell and given a choice, I almost always choose the lighter gauge. After knitting almost the entire back in the sportweight linen, I realized that a oversized wrap sweater knit in sportweight yarn might not be the most feasible idea and I started over in the worsted.
I used a knitted at the same time garter stitch band to reference the rustic simplicity of the yarn and thought it was a nice contrast to the fussier daintiness of an open lace stitch at the shoulder and hip.
For me, this project was a departure (dolman vs. set in sleeve, oversized vs. fitted) and I really enjoyed it. Eunny asked me to make this garment in a slightly larger sample size, so it's a bit big for me, but I managed to take a quick snap of it before I sent it off to Interweave:
I kind of feel like I want to take up kung fu again when I wear this. Perhaps some day, I'll reknit this in the sportweight gauge. I think it would make a really lightweight and comfortable garment.
I hope people will enjoy making it and wearing it.
I'll talk about the Silk Cocoon Cardigan in a future post.
posted by Connie at 4:02 PM
14 Comments:
I love your Soap Bubble Wrap!
It's truly lovely and going into my queue!! :)
That was so ingenious, the way you took advantage of the dolman construction to wrap the lace over the shoulder-- really original. Brava!!
Lovely design Connie....I really like the sunspot lace too!
I LOVE this one! Beautiful!
I really like your design and appreciate your discussion of your design process. I have started reading you regularly.
I'm glad it's up. This was my favorite/most-likely-to-knit item from this issue so I was almost peeved that I had to wait for it!
I do love your work & find myself nodding in recognition after I love a pattern & see your name. I'm still smitten by the Printed Silk Cardigan.
i just love this design! it looks comfy and is so pretty too!
Hi Connie,
Thanks for your comment - I really hope you aren't upset by what i said about your soap bubble wrap, as I really do love the pattern. Thanks for your suggestion on how to re-seam it - I've never seamed lace or reverse stockinette before, but this sounds like a simple fix. I'm adding it to the queue, but I'm going to knit your Silk Cocoon cardi first!
I love this pattern - I do plan to knit it, especially since I love linen yarn, also. There is a problem, though - worsted weight linen is apparently not available any longer. Do you have a suggestion for a sub? What with lace and alternative construction ( I am not familiar with dolman sleeves) I am afraid to try to convert the pattern to be able to use sport weight linen.
Both your patterns in the new IK are stunning! You certianly have a great eye for what people love to knit, and what's flattering on a wide variety of body types. Awesome job!!
- Julie
Lovely, cast on tonight.
I love the pattern. I bought Berroco Seduce to make the wrap. I am a little confused about what size to make but I am sure I will figure it out.
I fell in love with this pattern the minute it came up on Interweave. I do wish the pics were a little clearer though. Does the dolman sleeve have a seam all the way up the outside of the arm? I'm kind of constitutionally opposed to seams and so usually convert all my projects to construction without them. Could this be made with a dropped shoulder to accomodate the gorgous lace, pick up stitchs for sleeve and then knit in round? I suppose this question is a little late as I have already completed the first 45 rows and it is beautiful.
Monkeysmom
Hi!
I just knitted Soap Bubble wrap and I like it. Yarn is 100% lin and it is quite thinner than preferred but it worked! There are some photos in my blog if you are keen on it.
Thanks for pattern.
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