Planning Wren
Like lots of you, I got the Berroco Knit Bits Newsletter on Friday and immediately fell in love with Wren.
It's a super-wearable piece and the decorative pin is not only pretty, but very functional too. It gives you the opportunity to adjust the top to fit you.
Lolly loves it too and posted it to the Future Handknit Projects Pool on Flickr. I think this pic has become the most popular one in the pool in just three days.
So, I'm not alone in my love for this top!
I'm considering using the called-for yarn -- Berroco Zodiac -- which just happens to be on clearance at Webs (thanks, Lolly!).
Last night I started to disect the design a little more and got curious about how they did the curvy bottom edge. Short rows? Cast on a couple stitches and increase?
Hmm, no. The bottom of the front is completely straight. It's the combination of how the yarn drapes, how the top is pinned, and the curl of the straight stockinette edge.
Sizing this one is going to take some thought. The finished measurements are stated assuming an 8 inch overlap.
I calculated this by taking the finished measurement (I'll use the small size) of 32 and subtracting out the back width of 16. 32 - 16 = 16. So, 16 is the width of the front when worn. Each front is 12 inches wide. 12 * 2 = 24. So, in order for the front to measure 16 inches when being worn, they have to overlap by 24 - 16 = 8 inches.
There's no way that top is overlapping by 8 inches the entire way. The collar at its widest point is just over 5 inches. So the overlap is starting at 8 but quickly tapering to 5 and then down to even 2 or 3 toward the bottom.
I think the top is also stretching at the point where the fronts curve a lot (the curve will be stretchier because it goes at an angle across the knitting so it gains some of its stretch).
I'm not sure how I'm going to resolve which size to make. I might start with the back to see how the yarn drapes and stretches. I could use the armhole to somewhat mimic the curve of the neckline, and since the back is straight I'm less concerned about what size to make for it. It's the fronts that are giving me pause. If the piece is tapering out that much, do I even need waist shaping? Or, will the way the piece lays out give me the outward curve that I need?
This might be one that requires a little extra pre-planning and openness to frogging to get right. But, it's pretty enough that I think it's worth the effort. I mean, isn't that one of the reasons we knit in the first place? To make something pretty and different?
Jody, I'm far behind on commenting this week. Yes, Wren is worth the effort and I'm looking forward to seeing what you figure out.
And so much goodness in all your other posts this week, including good stuff from Ms. Hargreaves! Thanks for all the links.
You and Lolly are evil!
Wren is going to be beautiful.
I'm sure you can make it work.
OMG - I love, love, love it. Of course I had to bookmark it, download the pattern and check out webs - how can I possibly pass up the perfect little cardy to wear a shawl pin on??? I'm such a lemming. Thanks, chickie!
i wish that i looked good in a top that wraps! but i love the collar and sleeves on this one a lot.
Oooh, thanks for the Webs tip. I've been drooling over this top, too!
*sigh* FINE, I'll go buy some close-out-on-sale yarn.
This is a very interesting design, and I look forward to see how it works out and how it is to wear. What colour do you have in mind?
I, too, fell for Wren. The collar, the wrap, the neckline, should all (hypothetically) work for a figure like mine.
Hee hee - I bet Webs is sitting there wondering WTH?! about the run on that yarn.
I fell in love with this pattern as soon as I opened the Berroco email too. I'd like to change the ribbing on the arms and hem. And maybe even try 3/4 sleeves. I look forward to reading about your changes to the pattern.
i absolutely love it and think it would be a great top for spring.
that is a great spring top - interesting design and how it looks on - a lot different than you'd think by looking at the schematic!
Yes, that's exactly why we knit! Wren looks like a great summertime top.
Thanks for pointing out this pattern. I don't get the Berroco newsletter so I would have missed it.
I just ordered 14 balls of Zodiac # 6929 (gray/blue with streaks of different bright colors running thru it)from Webs.
I'll be following your progress on this little top - you've already pointed out things to watch out for that I hadn't even considered. I want to make this top for my 15-year old daughter. I need to do a good job fitting... you can imagine how picky teenagers can be.
I liked this one, and I also liked the cabled cropped cardi, but I wanted more info on the drape--that model seemed awfully posed.
What concerns me a bit in that photo is how the sweater bunches by the pin. What's up with that?
Birds of a feather! :) It is such a pretty pattern. I have been thinking of it for days, but I haven't bought the yarn yet. Looks like I need to if I want a chance at the sale yarn :)
Thanks for your technical thoughts on the pattern. I really like the pin, but I don't know how often I would actually wear it with a pin. I kind of like the idea of leaving it open... I wish there was a picture to show that.
Yes, definitely worth the effort ;)