Swatched for a gauge for which I like the look and feel. Decided at 22 sts as knit, 21sts blocked, I would make the size 44” finished which, due to gauge, will end up about 42” finished at bust (about 2” wearing ease).

Sides seem VERY short (even for waist/cropped length) at 9” including ribbing so will knit to about 11 1/2 to 12” based on other sweaters. I want the top of the ribbing to be about at my natural waist.

Modifications: will knit in the round to “sleeve” cast-on, then separate. I swatched gauge in the round and side to side and row gauge was nearly identical, so I should be OK. Using US size 5 for 2x2 ribbing, size 7 for body.

May 22, 2022:

Used (!!!) 199 grams if my kitchen scale is correct. I did go into the 5th skein because I wasn’t sure that I would have enough to do both sides of the upper front from just the 4th skein. I purchased 7 skeins because I was unsure how much I would need and this appears to be an older batch of yarn and finding more would have been impossible. I likely have enough left to make a tank top!

Modifications:

1. worked in the round to sleeve separation, then back and front separately

2. lengthened body by about 2” below sleeve separation since I wanted the top of the waist ribbing to end right at my waist (I have a long torso, am 5’6” tall)

3. used German short rows to make the shoulder slopes on both front and back, then knit 1 1/2 rows to resolve the pulled-over stitch neatly, (completing the knit half side and then the purl row) ending with a wrong side row. You can’t see the turns at all.

4. kept the back on a spare cable / needle while I worked the front sides

5. three needle bindoff moving from one sleeve edge to the other.

6. four rows of ribbing (not 3) then bind off in pattern for neck edge and sleeve bands--three just seemed a tiny bit skimpy with this yarn

7. for sleeve ribbing, counted number of rows, did some math, and decided to pick up four stitches to every five rows resulting in picking up 88 stitches (not 82) for 2x2 rib. Fit nicely and lays flat.

What I would have done differently had I known:

The Silky Wool don’t recover / bounce as much as a pure wool. That means the waistband doesn’t snug in as much as I may want and incorrectly due to the yarn anticipated from the schematic. If I decide in wearing it that it needs to be a bit more snug, I’ll buy some elastic thread and lace it through on the back/inside.

A friend asks how I can knit stockinette as it is so boring. This definitely is a knit while watching tv/movie dull knitting, but I think I’m going to love the top. Worth it!

Final Dimensions after blocking:

Bust: 43”

Sleeve edge to sleeve edge: 26 3/4” across

Center back (at picked up stitches seam) to hem: 21”

Beginning of sleeve increases to hem: 10” (longer than pattern

Distance between sides of neck at the front neck ribbing: 6 3/4”. Since I am small busted, I didn’t want a wider opening that might sag. Ahem.

Waist ribbing: 41” when relaxed--because this is a blend and not pure wool is it not as springy.

• Wish I had cast on fewer stitches and increased after ribbing or knit elastic thread with the ribbing. I really like the top “bloused” as in the pattern photo, so will buy some thin elastic cord and sew/insert a row or two at the top of the ribbing to help. Top looks nice hanging down, but want the option. Again, this is a function of the yarn I selected and not the pattern. If I had knit the prescribed length it would end at the desired spot but not have the blousing due to my long torso. Hope these notes help someone!

Even after two blockings, the scratchy plant fiber bits in this version of the yarn are irksome, so wearing a tank underneath. This did not happen with another batch of Silky Wool, so think it is just this color way (is it older?)…maybe they will soften with use and washing. Hope so as a tank underneath defeats the purpose of a light summer top!

Used only 4 skeins with a little leftover. Weight of finished top 197 grams.