THE OFFICIAL SLEEVELESS TUXEDO SHIRT KAL POST

Kathleen Cubley wrote

on May 17, 2010 12:36 PM

Hello!!

We're knitting the Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt by Theresa Schabes. Here's the schedule:

5/14-5/19: Gauge swatch
5/20-6/10: Back
6/11-6/25: Front and Bib
6/26-7/9: Finishing

A couple of notes: I've heard some comments about Euroflax being stiff and hard to knit with. If this is so for you, try soaking the skeins in some warm water. This will also give you a hint at how wonderful your knitted garment is going to be. The drape of the linen is one of the things that make this top so fab.

If you would rather use a different fiber, though, there are many others that would be great. I'm going to use Louet MerLin, which is a merino linen blend, made by the same company as Euroflax. I can also recommend KnitPicks CotLin, Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, Tahki Cotton Classic, Rowan Lenpur Linen, and I'm sure there are many other yarns that would work great. Check out the Ravelry entries for this project for more ideas.

And, since I was late putting up this official post, there are some comments already on the board in this forum. PLEASE DON'T add to that forum, though—let's put all of our comments in this thread so there's just one place to look. (But do read through the "Tuxedo Shirt KAL" thread for some good tips, and someone is already half-way up the back!!!)

Have fun; I'm looking forward to this one!

Kathleen

bessT wrote

on May 17, 2010 12:46 PM

um, welcome to your own Official Post?! I was thinking great, first time i've signed up here and we're on our own .. (joke).

thank you, i like the schedule. i still have to acquire the rest of the yarn i will use, the second ball of 1000 m. to use this thread double. in due course i'll probably find a better one, if not the real thing. meanwhile it will be fun to explore the pattern.

DeRae wrote

on May 17, 2010 1:39 PM

Although I voted for the Bonsai pattern, this will be my first KAL that I actually have time to do.  Is the pattern offered for free or do I need to purchase the pattern?

Kathleen Cubley wrote

on May 17, 2010 2:06 PM

Welcome, DeRae! You do need to purchase the pattern; just click on the link in my post above (the pattern is $5.50).

Kathleen

Pink Heather wrote

on May 17, 2010 3:00 PM

I'll do this one.  I have to wait for more yarn to finish my minimalist cardigan so I'll start on this one in the meantime.

My LYS is only open Wed-Sat so I'll pick up some yarn on Wed and start swatching.

 I just checked out Ravelry and honestly I think this top looks better on the ordinary people than it does on the model in the pattern.  Hopefully it looks good on me.  I like the idea of lace along the bottom edge too.

kaboodle70 wrote

on May 17, 2010 4:16 PM

This will be my first foray into "knitting with a timer".  I just hope I'll have time and an adequate supply of Celebrex to finish.  I liked the pattern well enough to buy it a few weeks ago so here's my chance to actually knit amd wear it before the summer's over.

JeanG@31 wrote

on May 17, 2010 5:57 PM

Hi Kathleen,

I'm a beginner and concerned that this KAL might be too challenging for me - plus I've never crocheted.  Any thoughts for a beginner?  Maybe wait for another project?  Thanks.

Jean

Kathleen Cubley wrote

on May 17, 2010 6:05 PM

JeanG@31:

Hi Kathleen,

I'm a beginner and concerned that this KAL might be too challenging for me - plus I've never crocheted.  Any thoughts for a beginner?  Maybe wait for another project?  Thanks.

Jean

Hey Jean!

I became a good knitter by challenging myself and asking for help when I was stuck, so this is the perfect forum for you to take on a bigger project! And most of this top is stockinette, so that's no problem, right? The lace section seems pretty easy, too, there's not even a chart to follow (although I know lots of people prefer charts!), so as long as you can do some increasing and decreasing, I think you'll be okay. And we'll be there for you when you have questions!

Oh, this crochet trim is really easy, I know we'll all be able to do it no problem.

Kathleen

judy@160 wrote

on May 17, 2010 6:07 PM

I started swatching , and was looking at the other post that was already started on this. Now that we have a timer, let's see how this goes.

LizzieC wrote

on May 17, 2010 6:38 PM

I just finished this top and I love it!  Fun to make and fun to wear.  There are a few things I would change if I made it again though so I though I would share my results with all of you.  I added a section of the lace pattern along the hem for a bit more length and interest.  I'll try to attach photos so you can see the results.

First:  I used an undyed cotton.  I carefully swatched and calculated for the usual shrinkage that goes with cotton, but forgot one critical thing.  The space between decreases also shrinks!  The result is that the A-line shape is a bit too pronounced and the hem stands out from my body, particularly in the front.

Second:  I'm rather large in the bust compared to the rest of me.  I own a number of other a-line tops, but they all start flaring under the bust.  The overall fit would have been much better if I had done something similar with the shaping here. 

AndreaG@24 wrote

on May 17, 2010 7:28 PM

So excited, my first KAL.. I had wanted to make this shirt and for mother's day my husband gave me a gift certificate for any yarn I wanted.  So when the tuxedo shirt won off I headed to Webs to buy my yarn, and it was on sale, on 17 per skein.  What a savings, still waiting for the arrival of the yarn, but working on 2 projects while I wait, luckily I knit fast, so I should be able to catch up when the yarn comes.

Andie

bessT wrote

on May 17, 2010 8:20 PM

LizzieC:

I just finished this top and I love it!  Fun to make and fun to wear. ...

It looks nice, LizzieC, love the lace hem line.

sjc wrote

on May 17, 2010 10:14 PM

I had this on the unofficial posting but thought maybe some would find it useful here on the official one as well.  Even the folks at my LYS didn't know what it was--they thought it would be the same as the crochet provisional cast on which it is not.

Has anyone else been challenged by the "crochet cast on"?  I did it wrong from the pattern instructions and then found this nifty video on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXZbnu203ds that shows it perfectly.  I watched it as I knit for about three times and then I had it down.  I guess this cast on doesn't stretch like the long tail or other methods which is probably why it's recommended.  I'd never used it before.

sjc wrote

on May 17, 2010 10:21 PM

LizzieC:

I added a section of the lace pattern along the hem for a bit more length and interest

Very cute top.  I like the addition of the lace at the bottom, makes it even more feminine.  Is that a repeat of the pattern in the panel?  Great job!

KathyAF wrote

on May 18, 2010 1:14 AM

I"m almost done with the previous KAL, but voted for this and actually have some EuroFlax just waiting for something to do, so will give this one a try too!   I love the lace look on the bottom that was added (posted by someone already finished!) - think I'll make that same addition.