Welcome to a post dedicated to Woolhara Tee, one of the design from my Sydney Summer Knits ebook! If you need extra help in making your own version or want to know more about summer knits in general, it’s an article for you!
Once my first summer knitalong ended, I decided to gather all the valuable tips, videos and tutorials I shared with the event’s participants and put it in one post to provide advice and help to all the knitters. I hope you will find it useful!
You can find detailed information on how to make, style and even modify this summer knit in the ebook (100 pages full of valuable and interesting content!), which you can buy in my Ravelry or Payhip store. But in this post I will share all the extra resources that may help you work with Woollahra Tee pattern and make your knitting smooth and trouble-free. Enjoy!
Article content:
- Yarn and fabric properties.
- How to make and fix wrapped stitches.
- Blocking.
Yarn and fabric properties
Intricate patterns like those used in Woollahra Tee call for smooth, well-rounded thread. Nothing can highlight the twisted rib and lace patterns better than such yarn. Take a closer look at Sandnes Garn Mandarin Petit, the yarn I chose for my own version:
You can see that its thread looks slightly plump. It kind of “rolls” under my fingers. The medium twist is very even and full of air, which provides excellent elasticity. A round cross-section is essential for this pattern!
Mandarin Petit is a slightly heavier fingering weight yarn that also works very well for this particular design. Every stitch is beautifully defined and even. The smooth thread (with no texture or hair) makes them even more expressive and doesn’t distract from the fine stitches.
While merino wool offers similar elasticity and cross-section, it also tends to stretch more. Cotton fiber helps the garment maintain its shape and prevents excessive stretching when wearing or washing. A finished fabric is flexible and has some stretch, but it also recovers well to its original size when released. See the video to learn more about fabric properties:
Such yarn as Mandarin Petit, gives a fabulous neat finish – all edges are straight and every single stitch and yarn over keep the same size.
Stick with cotton or its blends with silk, cashmere, or linen for the perfect summer tee! I know that those who never worked with cotton may be tempted by wool, but I really do not recommend it here, especially with no plant-based fiber addition. A project fully covered by lace and twisted stitch will definitely overstretch.
To achieve the most satisfying results, choose solid colors. I don’t believe there’s a wrong color choice here; however, black might overpower the lace a bit. All other shades would work well!
How to make and fix wrapped stitches.
I believe the most tricky part of stitch patterns used in this project is wrapping. It is much easier than it sounds! Watch this video to find out how to make it nicely:
To make 5 wraps, proceed exactly the same way but wrapping 3 times more. Make sure to keep the same tension for all wraps. They should wrap the stitches, not tie them up.
If you are not satisfied with some wraps you made, you can always fix them a bit at the end:
Blocking
Read my article The gist of blocking your knits to learn more about the purpose and general rules of blocking. I believe it will help you to understand the process.
Watch this short video to find out how to block your Woollahra Tee successfully:
Blocking instruction:
Block Woollahra Tee with the front facing you.
Start with the shoulders. Fold them exactly at the center. Pin them in place using at least three pins.
Pin the armlines keeping the edge and twisted rib as straight as possible.
Pair the corresponding back and front pattern panels. Pin them together pulling the fabric down slightly when pinning.
Use as many pins as possible – it’s essential to get a perfectly straight edge.
Pin the sides in place. Again – use as many pins as possible, otherwise the sides will be scalloped. Make sure the fabric folds exactly on the side, between the side panels.
Do not be afraid of stretching your tee downwards and sideways. The goal is to fully open the twisted rib and lace patterns. Cotton will shrink a bit after blocking, you need to work hard here.
Pull the back neck up slightly to open the stitch pattern in this area and get the same look on the entire tee. Pin the neck carefully using lots of pins. This edge tends to get scalloped if you don’t use enough pins.
Do not pin the butterfly sleeves to get the best possible look. Leave them free and make sure there is no fold on the top – this way they will drape beautifully around your shoulders.
About Sydney Summer Knits collection
Sydney Summer Knits collection contains four brand-new, unique summer patterns inspired by my new home – Sydney. You will find here three tops and one dress, each design mirroring a different feature of the city. All the designs are made in style closest to my heart, which I dare to name modern romanticism.
Read articles about Darling Dress, Seasalt Tank and Filigree Cami:
Marzena
