The Official Bella Blouse Knit-Along Forum

Anne Guyton wrote

on Sep 10, 2011 10:38 AM

[View:http://www.knittingdaily.com/themes/knittingdaily/utility/a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63185585@N06/6133407624/" title="Finished Bella 9/10/11 by anneg2012, on Flickr">:550:0]

jaheath wrote

on Sep 10, 2011 1:55 PM

I must have missed something earlier if this is a KAL project but oh my goodness, what a beautiful piece of work.  What are the yarns?

intoxyk8 wrote

on Sep 10, 2011 2:00 PM

Anne, that looks great!  I love that you left the band seam open.  That's a nice added touch.

Charla

Anne Guyton:

[View:http://www.knittingdaily.com/themes/knittingdaily/utility/a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63185585@N06/6133407624/" title="Finished Bella 9/10/11 by anneg2012, on Flickr">:550:0]

Anne Guyton wrote

on Sep 10, 2011 2:08 PM

Hi "jaheath", yes this is a KAL project, Bella blouse.  If you go to the first page of  this forum, you will see the pattern.  If you have time, scroll through the posts and see some great photos, charts, suggestions, and more!

My yarns were Sublime, a merino, cashmere, silk blend, for the body, and Berroco Bonzai for the lace bands.  I modified the pattern somewhat with ideas and suggestions from others in this KAL:  I made the whole thing a little longer, I did the bottom band in 2 pieces rather than have it wrap around from back to front; I raised the neckline up to same level as the underarm decreases, and therefore had to do 1 less repeat in the neck lace inserts.  I stitched up the neckline inserts a little so it wasn't such a low V for me; and I added a embroidered chain-stitch topstitch where I sewed the neck inserts to the body to give it a neater edge.  

This KAL has been awesome....some women made awesome charts to help with the tricky lace patterns, and the suggestions and modifications to the pattern that the talented other knitters shared really helped us with our projects and each one is so unique and lovely!

klandreneau wrote

on Sep 10, 2011 2:32 PM

Anne Guyton:

This KAL has been awesome..

Anne,

Love your yarn choices--It is beautiful!!  Looks really great on you!

Katherine

MStefanovic wrote

on Sep 10, 2011 4:28 PM

Anne,

Your Bella is gorgeous! Looks very flattering.

How is Berroco Bonsai to work with? I am still working on the body, hope to finish in the near future...

--Marina

Anne Guyton wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 6:48 AM

Marina, I enjoyed working with the Bonsai.  It has a subtle sheen to it because of its little thread thru it.  It did separate a bit when I was sewing the inserts to the body, but all in all good.  Good luck with your Bella!  Post some photos when you can!

Anne Guyton wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 6:50 AM

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.  I appreciate it!  

As they say, "It takes a Village"....and in my case, this KAL and my LYS (in Fairlawn, OH)  were my village for this project!  

jada wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 7:25 AM

Very nice Anne!  Love the contrast between body and bands and the fit is great!

Jada

oxid8 wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 2:08 PM

Thanks everyone for your help and comments.  I don't think I could have finished the neck without the helpful charts.  My daughter wore it today for the first time and I think she likes it.  I may tweak the neck in back.  It needs to be tightened.  I had fun experimenting with ease and sleeves and lace etc.

Shanna

JoanA@4 wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 2:55 PM

Finished. It was a fun experience. Thanks everyone for the charts and all the helpful hints along the way to make this a reality.

JoanA@4 wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 2:56 PM

•  Finished. It was a fun experience. Thanks everyone for the charts and all the helpful hints along the way to make this a reality.[Edit Tags]

moonquilter wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 4:56 PM

Anne Guyton:

Hi "jaheath", yes this is a KAL project, Bella blouse.  If you go to the first page of  this forum, you will see the pattern.  If you have time, scroll through the posts and see some great photos, charts, suggestions, and more!

My yarns were Sublime, a merino, cashmere, silk blend, for the body, and Berroco Bonzai for the lace bands.  I modified the pattern somewhat with ideas and suggestions from others in this KAL:  I made the whole thing a little longer, I did the bottom band in 2 pieces rather than have it wrap around from back to front; I raised the neckline up to same level as the underarm decreases, and therefore had to do 1 less repeat in the neck lace inserts.  I stitched up the neckline inserts a little so it wasn't such a low V for me; and I added a embroidered chain-stitch topstitch where I sewed the neck inserts to the body to give it a neater edge.  

This KAL has been awesome....some women made awesome charts to help with the tricky lace patterns, and the suggestions and modifications to the pattern that the talented other knitters shared really helped us with our projects and each one is so unique and lovely!

Anne,

It's just wonderful!  I would love to see a "close up" if you can, of the top stitch that you added???  I think mine would benefit from that too.  I tried to figure out how to do a crochet chain and add it over the "seam" of the neck inserts, but I was not sucessful.  If you cna't get a pic up close of it, can you describe in more detail how you did it??     Many thanks to you....and as well to everyone that has made this such a sucessful KAL!!

Vickie  aka Moonquilter

moonquilter wrote

on Sep 11, 2011 5:03 PM

I'm just getting "caught up" on seeing all the great new KAL's...Lindasy, Jada, Shanna, JoanA....well done..they are so awesome....I can't get over how much FUN seeing all these beautiful Bellas is for me!!!   Thanks to all.

Vickie