Knitting Daily Galleries : Lace

IWK Summer 2008 Drawstring Raglan

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:55:00 GMT

Gallery: Drawstring Raglan, design by Margery Winter

Notes on fit: In the magazine, this sweater is shown slightly open, with about 0.75" positive ease. On our Gallery Gals, we also show it worn open, scooching the fabric back along the drawstring to create gentle pleats/folds from the drawstring downwards. These pleats are an important part of the overall design--notice how they correspond to the points in the lace pattern, giving the lace-and-stripe combination just a bit more graceful emphasis. In other words: You could wear this little jacket pulled completely tight along the drawstring, but it wouldn't drape as gracefully. Keep this in mind when you are choosing a size for yourself--the finished widths shown on the schematic don't reflect the "as-worn" widths created by the pleats. If you like the pleats, and are in doubt between two sizes, choose the larger one and scooch the pleats together a bit more! (For a look at what the jacket looks like without the pleats, see Erin's photo below.) Drawstring Raglan Sample garment shown is 32.75".


Stefanie Her bust: 34" 1.25" negative ease This is definitely too small on Stefanie--she cannot gracefully pull the jacket closed. Also, notice how the back "rides up"--in other words, the drawstring is at a higher level in back than in front, because in front, the drawstring must go under her bust. The next size up, 36.25", seems like it might be too big, but not if you scooched the pleats up a bit. Stefanie might also want to start the beige stockinette bodice about 1-2" earlier so that the drawstring went under her bustline all around. In other words: she would need the beige/plain stockinette section to start about 1-2" before she started the sleeves.


Katie Her bust: 38.5" 5.75" negative ease Notice that this looks as though it fits much better on Katie than on Stefanie, despite the huge difference in negative ease. What's going on here? A key "good fit" measurement for this garment is the underbust measurement, as that is where the drawstring pulls closed. Stefanie has a wider ribcage than Katie; thus Stefanie's underbust measurement is bigger and the 32.75" size looks smaller on her than on Katie. So even though Katie is pregnant and has a bigger bust than Stefanie, the top closes better. That said: Katie still might want to make the 36.25" size, for comfort as the baby grows. Katie might want to add some stripes to the lower half of the jacket in order to lengthen it--her call.		Sandi Her bust: 41" 8.5" negative ease Hoo, baby. Work that negative ease! However, this top is just tooo small--it looked silly when I tied it closed, and the drawstring hits me mid-bust instead of under the bust. The back rides up, as it did on Stefanie, only more so on me. Which size would I make? First of all, my underbust measurement is 37". The 36.25" seems just a bit too small--it would reach around my underbust, but not have a lot left over for those pretty graceful pleats (see Notes at top). The 40" seems like a better fit. Just to make sure, however, I check the hip measurements on the pattern schematic: The 40" size has a 48.5" hip circumference, which is perfect for my new slimmer 43.5" hips: that will fit around them, allowing some extra fabric for the pleats. Nice! Note that I would definitely start the beige/stockinette section about 2" lower/earlier, thus having about 2" of stockinette under my arms before I started the sleeves. This would allow the drawstring to fall in the proper place under my bust.

Erin Her bust: 38" 5.25" negative ease This actually might fit Ms. Erin if the drawstring section were 1-2" lower, as with Stefanie and me. However, notice that even though she can close it nicely, there is no extra fabric for gentle pleats. So the next size up might work better for her.		Debbie Her bust: 34.5" 1.75" negative ease Notice that Stefanie and Debbie have very similar bust sizes, yet the jacket fits very differently on these women! That's due to the underbust measurement. Stefanie has a wider rib cage, Debbie a narrower one. (Be sure to look the schematic and compare your own measurements at this critical point!) The jacket fits Debbie rather well, despite the fact that we were having so much fun that we did not notice that the ties had come undone.
		Bertha Her bust: 34" 1.25" negative ease Ah, Bertha. Is there anything you do not look great in? Again, Bertha's underbust is extremely narrow, so the jacket pulls almost all the way closed on her, leaving just a bit of fabric for delicate pleats. Sooo pretty.

IWK Summer 2008 Wakame Lace Tunic

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:53:00 GMT

Gallery: Wakame Lace Tunic, design by Angela Hahn

The Gallery Gals loved the graceful, flowing lines of this tunic. We thought you could dress it up with a full skirt or shiny pants and colorful, dangly earrings; or, if you made it in bamboo, cotton, linen, or hemp, it would be great for a lovely brunch on the beach. (One can dream.) Wakame Lace Tunic Sample garment measures 37" and is shown with 5" positive ease in the magazine.


Stefanie Her bust: 34" 3" positive ease What if Stefanie wore this with a pair of shiny black pants and some killer gold shoes? Off to the ball with you, Cinderella. I can't see any changes that I would make here.		Katie Her bust: 38.5" 1.5" negative ease For those of you who might not have noticed, Katie is pregnant, and we put this tunic on her just to see what it looked like. This is a pretty killer maternity top, folks. The only problem? There's not much room to grow in the belly area, and Katie still has a few months to go before Baby shows up!


Debbie Her bust: 34.5" 2.5" positive ease My only comment here is that I think the sleeves end at the same level as Debbie's hips, which are her widest bit, creating a longer horizontal line in the place where perhaps she does not need any more horizontal interest. Shortening the sleeves by one lace repeat would definitely help. I also wonder if the mesh hip band could be raised by working fewer repeats of the top piece so that that mesh band hits Debbie a little higher, just below her natural waist. (OK, I guess that was two comments.)		Erin Her bust: 38" 1" negative ease I think I would lower the mesh horizontal band, as Erin is so tall--if we added a full repeat of the lace pattern up top, that would also add enough length to the tunic overall for tall Erin. For a more drapey look, Erin could knit the next size up, 40.75", and that would give her almost 3" of positive ease. I think it would look more elegant on her in the larger size.

		Bertha Her bust: 34" 3" positive ease Bertha, you look gorgeous, darling, simply gorgeous. Notice how the mesh band forms a dropped hip style, very twenties. The neckline is wide and graceful, the drape beautiful.

IWK Summer 2008 Apres Surf Hoodie

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:52:00 GMT

Gallery: Apres Surf Hoodie, design by Connie Chang Chinchio

What is it about little hoodies that is so completely captivating? Why do we all want this garment for ourselves? I don't know, but I was really disappointed that I couldn't try on the sample. Sigh. The difference between this hoodie and most of the other hoodies you see around town (besides the lovely lace and the handknit splendor) is that it isn't the traditional boxy shape--it has set-in sleeves, waist shaping, and actual curves. Go Connie! Apres Surf Hoodie Sample garment is 35.5".


Elizabeth Her bust: 36.25" 0.75" negative ease We have a new Gallery Gal--Elizabeth, from the Beadwork/Stringing office! So I thought I would put her first on this page, as a way of introducing her. Elizabeth is rocking the waist shaping on this hoodie, and I love how the lace section falls at precisely the point on her hips where things start to flare out--nice. I think the hoodie body is a perfect fit for Elizabeth. However, I think that the armholes are too small. The sleeves are also just the teensiest bit close-fitting for her. She could work the body using the 35.5" instructions but the 39.5" armhole numbers to make the armholes bigger, and then make the sleeves using the 39.5" sleeve instructions all the way up--this way the sleeve caps would fit in the armholes, the armholes would be bigger, and the sleeves would be a bit looser. Voila. (And welcome, Elizabeth!)


Stefanie Her bust: 34" 1.5" positive ease A bit short, perhaps? Both at the hem and at the cuffs? Other than that, seems like Stefanie might have just knit this for herself.


Erin Her bust: 38" 2.5" negative ease Definitely the wrong size for Erin. The next size up, 39.5", would give her 1.5" positive ease and be MUCH more comfortable. Erin would need more length in the sleeves--note that this would mean adding more lace repeats, rather than just lengthening the stockinette cuffs. She would also need to add more lace repeats in the body of the hoodie--probably about 5" worth--after working the stockinette "hem" section. Notice that in the second photo, the one with the hood up, Erin is hunching over a bit--that's because the hood section is too short for her! A bigger size would REALLY be better for her!


Bertha Her bust: 34" 1.5" positive ease My only complaint here is that I think the hood is the wrong shape for Bertha. I kind of wonder if the whole hoodie thing isn't really for her, anyway. . .


Debbie Her bust: 34.5" 1" positive ease Perfect. Don't you think?


Toni Her bust: 33.5" 2" positive ease This shows what the hoodie looks like with a couple of thin layers worn underneath and 2" of positive ease. I think the hoodie could be longer on Toni by an inch or so. I also wonder if the armhole isn't just a bit on the tight side. (Toni asks that you politely ignore her rather untidy cubicle. Untidiness is the sign of an active, creative mind, you know.)

IWK Summer 2008 Leaf Kimono Top

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:57:00 GMT

Gallery: Leaf Kimono Top, design by Sarah Barbour

Leaf Kimono Top What's not to love? It's green. It's linen. It's lace. It fits. You can wear it over stuff; you can wear it anywhere. Everyone thought this was adorable. Construction Note: The "sleeves" are rectangles which fold over the shoulders--your arms come out the long edge (with a short seam sewn under the arms) and the short edges are sewn to the top of the front piece and the back piece. So the underbust seams you see in the photos are actually the seams along the short edges of the sleeve piece. Keep this in mind if I talk about lengthening the sleeve pieces to drop the underbust seam a bit! Sample garment si 37.5". In the magazine, it is modeled with about 5" positive ease at bust.


Erin Her bust: 38" 0.5" negative ease This top was meant to be worn with positive ease, but on Erin, with just a bit of negative ease, I still think it is cute. I think she would be happier with a larger size, maybe the 40", or even the 45.5", which would give her the loose, kimono-like feel the designer intended. Erin would probably want the underbust seam to be a bit lower, so she would have to lengthen the sleeve piece accordingly (see Construction Note above). Note that for Erin, we tied the ribbon in back so that the neckline was narrower and the shoulders stayed in place more easily. Erin probably would also want to lengthen this by about six inches or so.


Katie Her bust: 38.5" 1" negative ease This makes a lovely maternity top, although I think Katie might be more comfortable in the next size up. More length would help cover her belly as the pregnancy continues. After the baby is born, the 40" size would still fit Katie's normal 35" bust with a lovely, loose drape. Katie might also want the underbust line to be a bit lower, so she also might consider lengthening the sleeve piece (see Note above).		Sandi Her bust: 41" 3.5" negative ease I love this! I mean, it's not being worn as the designer intended, but even with All That Lovely Negative Ease, I would totally wear this top, just like this. Oh, all right: i would probably lower the underbust seam as described above. That would make it just about perfect! However, if I wanted a looser fit, I could make the 40" or 45.5" size. (I think at this point, I am just so delighted to be able to wear things that are NOT loose that I might be going a bit hog-wild with the whole negative ease thing.)

		Stefanie Her bust: 34" 3.5" positive ease Pretty cute. This garment is so versatile on so many different body types that I am not sure I would change anything here. Maybe length? Maybe, maybe not.

IWK Winter 2007 Henley Perfected

Kat — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:40:00 GMT

Gallery: The Henley Perfected, design by Connie Chang Chinchio

Once again, Bertha and the Interweave gang all try on the same sweater for the greater good of knitting, to demonstrate how the sweater looks with various amounts of ease, both positive and negative.

As you can see, the same sweater looks very different on different women! We give general suggestions for customization for your inspiration. Only you can choose how you want your sweaters to fit and which customizations will work best for you and your beautiful self! Sample garment shown measures 35" (89 cm).
Bertha Her bust: 34" (86.5 cm) Ease as shown: 1" (2.5 cm) positive ease Notice that Bertha and Stefanie (below) both have the same bust measurements, but they are shaped very differently! Debbie, also below, is only .5" bigger than either Bertha or Stefanie, and notice the difference in fit of the Henley across the three "girls".

Debbie Her bust: 34.5" (87.5 cm) Ease as shown: .5" (1.3 cm) positive ease

Erin Her bust: 38" (96.5 cm) Ease as shown: 3" (7.5 cm) negative ease

Karen Her bust: 31.5" (80 cm) Ease as shown: 3.5" (9 cm) positive ease

Katie Her bust: 35.5" (90 cm) Ease as shown: .5" (1.3 cm) negative ease

Stefanie Her bust: 34" ( 86.5 cm) Ease as shown: 1" (2.5 cm) positive ease

IWK Summer 2007 Oriel Lace Blouse Gallery

Kat — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:27:00 GMT

The Oriel Lace Blouse on Bertha and the Interweavers!

Just as with the Corset Pullover, Bertha and the Interweave gang once again all try on the same sweater for the greater good of knitting, to demonstrate how the sweater looks with various amounts of ease, both positive and negative.

As you can see, the same sweater looks very different on different women! We give general suggestions for customization below for your inspiration. Only you can choose how you want your sweaters to fit and which customizations will work best for you and your beautiful self! Sample garment shown measures 36" (91.5 cm).
	Bertha Her bust: 34" (86.5 cm) Ease as shown: 2" (5 cm) positive ease

	Annie Her bust: 31" (78.5 cm) Ease as shown: 5" (12.5 cm) positive ease

	Karen Her bust: 31.5" (80 cm) Ease as shown: 4.5" (11.5 cm) positive ease

	Katie Her bust: 35.5" (90 cm) Ease as shown: .5" (1.3 cm) positive ease

Knitting Daily Galleries : Lace

IWK Summer 2008 Drawstring Raglan

Gallery: Drawstring Raglan, design by Margery Winter

Drawstring Raglan

Stefanie

Katie

Sandi

Erin

Debbie

Bertha

IWK Summer 2008 Wakame Lace Tunic

Gallery: Wakame Lace Tunic, design by Angela Hahn

Wakame Lace Tunic

Stefanie

Katie

Debbie

Erin

Bertha

IWK Summer 2008 Apres Surf Hoodie

Gallery: Apres Surf Hoodie, design by Connie Chang Chinchio

Apres Surf Hoodie

Elizabeth

Stefanie

Erin

Bertha

Debbie

Toni

IWK Summer 2008 Leaf Kimono Top

Gallery: Leaf Kimono Top, design by Sarah Barbour

Leaf Kimono Top

Erin

Katie

Sandi

Stefanie

IWK Winter 2007 Henley Perfected

Gallery: The Henley Perfected, design by Connie Chang Chinchio

Sample garment shown measures 35" (89 cm).

Bertha

Debbie

Erin

Karen

Katie

Stefanie

IWK Summer 2007 Oriel Lace Blouse Gallery

The Oriel Lace Blouse on Bertha and the Interweavers!

Sample garment shown measures 36" (91.5 cm).

Bertha

Annie

Karen

Katie