Knitting Daily Galleries : Tops

IWK Summer 2008 Elinor Tunic

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:58:00 GMT

Gallery: Elinor Tunic, design by Wendy Bernard

Everyone wanted to take this tunic home with them (we checked everyone's backpack at the end of the day). We were a bit surprised at how great it looked on a variety of body types--we all assumed that the stripe at the hips would look terrible--but it didn't, it looked TERRIFIC! Elinor Tunic The sample garment is a size 32". In the magazine, it is modeled with about 2" of negative ease for a tailored fit.


Stefanie Her bust: 34" 2" negative ease Waaay adorable on Stefanie, who is a perfect fit for this tunic. The only thing I might recommend is enlarging the armholes just a bit, because Ms. Workout Gal Stef's muscular arms need a bit more room to move about.		Debbie Her bust: 34.5" 2.5" negative ease I think this looks a little big on Debbie--not around the bust, but at the waist. Since the 32" is the smallest size, to compensate, I might bring in the waist shaping a bit more to emphasize her hourglass figure. The shoulders seem a bit wide on narrow-shouldered Debbie, so I would narrow those by a half-inch to an inch, so the sleeve edge sits just at the crease of her arm, or even just inside it a bit. However, this really depends on how she is going to wear the top--if she wears it bare-shouldered, as in this photo, the shoulder "straps" would indeed need a bit of narrowing. If she wears it over long-sleeved tops, then the wider straps would not be as noticeable.


Sandi Her bust: 41" 9" negative ease (whoo!) This just goes to show you: Knitted fabric really does stretch. The large gauge (4 sts to an inch) definitely helps. I was actually very comfortable in this top! I was worried about the colorwork band being right at my hips, but after looking at the photos, I think it balances out The Girls up top. What size would I knit? Hm. I'd probably do a size larger, just to be safe. But this size really doesn't look too bad on me. (Wendy, you are a genius, as usual.)


Erin Her bust: 38" 6" negative ease This is a bit too tight on Ms. Erin, so the next size up, 36", would be perfect for her. She also needs just a bit more length--about an inch or so.		Bertha Her bust: 34" 2" negative ease I think Bertha has lost some weight, don't you? :) This looks a little big on her, especially down around the hips and at the armholes. Of course, actual arms and legs might improve the fit in these areas, but don't say that too loudly—Bertha is very sensitive about her lack of limbs.

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 Plaid Halter

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:53:00 GMT

Gallery: Plaid Halter, design by Gryphon Perkins

This is a great, lightweight summer top! The hemp breathes, and the gauge isn't very tight, so if you live in a warm climate, this would be a great all-season pattern! We thought it would be good for office wear, or for giving speeches. (Debbie for President! Stefanie for Prime Minister! What a world THAT would be....) Plaid Halter Sample garment is 32".


Stefanie Her bust: 34" 2" Negative Ease Great shaping on Stefanie at the waist, and the neckline is perfect on her. The armholes look a bit big, but they are not too bad. She might need an extra 1" or so of length at the hips.		Debbie Her bust: 34.5" 2.5" Negative Ease Wow. This is adorable on Debbie. The armholes gap just a bit above the bustline, but overall, I think this is cute on her. The waist shaping helps add in extra curves, and the high neckline helps pull your eyes up to her great face.

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 Summer 2008 Roped Shell

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:56:00 GMT

Gallery: Roped Shell, design by Angela Hahn

Notes in pattern advise no more than 2" negative ease max and no more than 2" positive ease max in order to not distort the stitch pattern. Overall: Good golly, Ms. Molly. This is just darn gorgeous in person. The fabric is to die for, the knitting is extremely fine work (Ms. Hahn, take a bow, if you would). There are details in this shell that blow my mind: the roped edging at neck and hem, the false seam is a lovely design element (and a clever one, too: it conceals the pattern "jog" caused by knitting in the round); the draped back neckline is just breathtaking. When I first saw this tank, I thought: "Well. I could just sing, this is so pretty." Roped Shell Tank shown measures 33.25" in mag.


Debbie Her bust 34.5" 1.25" negative ease, which is pretty close to the 1.5" negative ease recommended for this size. I LOVE the back of this and how it fits on Debbie. Of course, if she were wearing this for real, she would wear different undergarments, but look at the lovely drape at the back neck. The front neck is also lovely on her; whether or not it is too low is up to Debbie and how daring she feels. The cabled "straps" could be a bit shorter, which would pull up the neckline as well as the armholes.


Stefanie Her bust 34" 0.75" 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.


Sandi Her bust: 41" 7.75" Negative Ease I wore this for the minimum time necessary to get a photo, since I was worried about stretching it out! A bit tight, indeed. The 40" size would definitely be a better fit on me. I personally prefer a higher neckline than shown in this photo; the neckline here is of course being pulled down a bit by The Girls. Nice waist shaping, though.


Bertha Her bust: 34" 0.75" Negative Ease

IWK Summer 2008 Imprint Tank

Kat — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:54:00 GMT

Gallery: Imprint Tank, design by Sarah Hoadley

Don't be scared of intarsia, say the Gallery Gals, especially not if it gives you a top like this one! (And by the way, Sarah? Designer Sarah? The inside of this garment is as pretty as the outside--all those color changes and yarn twists are beautiful. Well done!) You might think that a worsted weight cotton is too heavy for warm weather, but, if you are going to something dressy, like a meeting or the office, what else are you going to wear? Clingy polyester? A suit jacket? C'mon, this is perfect for those warm-weather "I've-got-to-wow-'em" events, and no dry-cleaning bill afterwards. We all loved the soft, breathable fabric and the complexion-friendly colors. Of course, you could throw all caution to the winds and wear this with jeans and pretty shoes. Sit at an outside cafe in THAT outfit and see if anyone asks you to star in their next blockbuster movie. Imprint Tank Sample garment shown is 34.5".


Stefanie Her bust: 34" 0.5" positive ease A perfect fit! If Stefanie wanted a little more waist shaping, she could add that in, but it looks great on her.		Debbie Her bust: 34.5" zero ease What is it with Debbie and these tops? She looks fabulous, ready to walk straight into the boardroom and impress a bunch of attorneys or accountants or something. The armholes do seem a tiny bit large, I will say, but other than that: Go Debbie!


Erin Her bust: 38" 3.5" negative ease Erin definitely needs a larger size in this top, and fortunately, the next size up is a 39", which would be just about right. The bustline pulls too much here..."But wait," you say, "Sandi--how can you tell that the bustline is too tight here? It looks like it fits!" Notice how on Ms. Erin, the fourth circle up from the hem looks bigger than the others? It's not bigger, it is the same size as the others--or at least, it was when it was knitted. It just looks larger because Erin's curves are pulling it out of shape. On a patterned sweater, whether lace, colorwork, textures, or cables, if the pattern gets pulled out of shape over some curve of your body, then the sweater is too tight. (This is subject to personal taste, the style of the garment, and whether the pattern was intended to be enlarged by curves, of course. Use your judgment and all that jazz.) If Erin made the next size up, she might still have to lengthen the top by perhaps a full pattern repeat and bring the waist shaping down by about 1-2" to match the location of her actual waist.


Bertha Her bust: 34" 0.5" positive ease Bertha can join Debbie in the boardroom, methinks.

IWK Summer 2008 Folded Cowl Tee

Kat — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:59:00 GMT

Gallery: Folded Cowl Tee, design by Michelle Katerberg

We LOVED this tee. We also quickly discovered that if the bust shaping wasn't too pronounced, the tee could be worn with either side as the front! We were delighted with how it looked either way. The front neckline is higher than the back, providing the little "cowl" effect that gives the tee its name. Since front necklines are generally lower than the back, this is also what makes the tee wearable two ways: as the gentle cowl neck with the lace detail at front hem, or as a scoop neck with lace detail at back hem. Other differences between front and back? The REAL front, with the lace detailing at the hem, has little pleats at the shoulders; the back is smooth at the shoulders. The front of the sample has short-row bust shaping, which, at least in the sample's dimensions, did not seem to show that much when the shirt was worn backwards. And, of course, there is the charming detail at the hem on the front of the tee. Some folks liked the little lace hem detailing behind them :) The cotton/milk fiber blend was light as air and silky-soft. This was another one we had to check people's backpacks for at the end of the day. Folded Cowl Tee Sample sweater measures 34.5" with 1" of short-row bust shaping; in the magazine, it is modeled with 2" of positive ease.


Stefanie Her bust: 34" 0.5" positive ease Stefanie is wearing this sweater backwards at right, and correctly in at left. We liked it either way on her, with a slight preference for how it looked backwards. There you have it.


Debbie Her bust: 34.5" Minimal/zero ease Debbie is wearing it backwards, and it looks lovely. The fabric stretches nicely over her curves, the small hem and sleeve detail keep the eye moving. Great shape and fabulous color on Debbie.		Erin, wearing tee as designer intended Her bust: 38" 2.5" negative ease at bust when worn correctly When worn correctly, Erin could probably use another inch or so of short-row shaping at the bust. The shirt also needs to be 1-2" longer for tall Erin! Below, we show photos of Erin wearing this tee backwards so you could see how the 1" short-row shaping is barely visible in back. Just room enough for her shoulder blades, methinks.


Erin, wearing tee backwards Her bust: 38" 3.5" negative ease at bust when worn backwards


Sandi Her bust: 41" 5.5" negative ease at bust when worn correctly (due to 1" bust shaping) 6.5" negative ease at bust when worn backwards I tried it on both backwards and, um, frontwards. The short-row bust shaping definitely helped when I was wearing it correctly--remember that if you do 1" of short-row shaping on something with 6.5" of negative ease, you are actually reducing the ease at your bust to only 5.5" negative ease. Obviously, it fits better at the bust with the short-row shaping; however, for a busty gal like myself, I prefer lower necklines rather than the cowl effect. And I like the detailing on the back for myself, because I actually have less on my backside than on my tummy. Detailing on the back gives me a little extra visual interest back there where I am lacking, rather than in front where I am not lacking. I would probably make the tee a bit longer to bring it over my hips; right now, it stops at my widest point, which is not as flattering on me. (I feel compelled to add that what I was wearing underneath had buttons in unfortunate locations...)


Bertha, backwards (right) and correctly (left) Her bust: 34" 0.5" positive ease This is a little big on Ms. Bertha, unless she's feeling in a loose-and-comfy sort of mood. The long length is kind of nice on her, with her long waist. I also think that the slight cowl effect in the photo at left is very flattering on her. (By the way, Bertha would like folks to know that her necklace was custom-made for her by Michelle Mach, who is my counterpart over on Beading Daily. Custom made, because...it has no clasp and thus slips very easily over Bertha's slender neck. Perfect!)

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

The Summer Wheat Tank on Bertha and the Interweavers!

Kat — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:43:00 GMT

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 30" (76 cm).
	Bertha Her bust: 34" (86.5 cm) Ease as shown: 4" (10 cm) negative ease

	Annie Her bust: 31" (78.5 cm) Ease as shown: 1" (2.5 cm) negative ease

	Katie Her bust: 35.5" (90 cm) Ease as shown: 5.5" (14 cm) negative ease

Corset Girls!

Kat — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:17:00 GMT

Introducing the Corset 9! (and Bertha makes 10.)

Sandi talked nine of us Interweavers into trying on the Corset Pullover and (gasp!) disclose our measurements for her post, Nine Women and a Sweater. So, for the greater good of knitting, we agreed 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!


Bertha Her bust: 34" (86.5 cm) Ease as shown: 1.25" (3.2 cm) positive ease Customizations? I like the longer length on Bertha, but the neck is still too wide. Bertha likes to wear daringly low-cut bodices to frame her neck (she works with what she has, seeing as she does not have a face), so I would widen the neck straps for her without raising the neckline. Because Bertha is a bit challenged in the arm department, it is hard to tell if the sleeve length suits her or not.
The Corset 9:

Debbie Her bust: 34.5" (87.5 cm) Ease as shown: .75" (2 cm) positive ease Customizations? The length is good on Debbie, accenting her hips and belly in a lovely way. The neckline is too deep and wide on her; she needs a smaller armhole and slightly shorter sleeves to highlight her curves better. Debbie would perhaps want to move both sets of waist straps down a half-inch or so to match her shape.

Erin Her bust: 38" (96.5 cm) Ease as shown: 2.75" (7 cm) negative ease Customizations? Erin is very tall, and very long-waisted; her curvy bustline pulls the hem up way too far! Erin would add about 4-5" to the bodice length, and she would widen the neck "straps" for a more modest and better-fitting neck. She might want to work more armhole decrease rows to give herself more room there as well. Note that Erin would also have to move both sets of waist straps down by quite a bit!

Katie Her bust: 35.5" (90 cm) Ease as shown: .25" (6 mm) negative ease--closest fit of any of those shown! Customizations? A narrower and higher neckline would suit Katie's long neck-to-bust length better. Rather than narrowing the central panel, Katie could make the neck "straps" a bit wider, thus preserving the body-skimming fit.

Kit Her bust: 36" (91.5 cm) Ease as shown: .75" (2 cm) negative ease Customizations? Kit favors a "mod" look, so the shortie length suits her well. The neckline could be a bit narrower, but overall, I think the sample sweater fits Kit the best of any of our Corset Gals.

Kat Her bust: 40" (101.5 cm) Ease as shown: 4.5" (11.5 cm) negative ease (whoo!) Customizations? Kat would lengthen the bodice just a bit so the hem fell a bit lower on her womanly hips. Although she needs the extra width in the central panel, the neckline is still a bit too wide, so she might make the neck "straps" wider to compensate.

Laura Her bust: 34.75" (88.5 cm) Ease as shown: .5" (1.3 cm) positive ease Customizations? Notice how the extra length "pulls down" Laura's lovely long torso--shortening the length of both bodice and sleeves, as well as raising the neckline, would provide a better shape. Here again, a narrower central panel would also make the neckline fit better. Laura also would work fewer armhole decrease rows, as her arms are very delicate and thus her armholes don't need to be so deep.

Liz Her bust: 37" (94 cm) Ease as shown: 1.75" (4.5 cm) negative ease Customizations? Both sets of waist straps could be lowered an inch or so to better "shape" her bustline. Liz might also make the central panel narrower if she wants a narrower, more flattering, neckline.

Tricia Her bust: 36.75" (93.5 cm) Ease as shown: 1" (2.5 cm) negative ease Customizations? Narrower central panel to make neck fit better. Tricia's style is playful and edgy, so the shorter overall fit on her matches her personal style; however, shorter sleeves would be more flattering and balance her bustline.

Toni Her bust: 33.5" (85 cm) Ease as shown: 1.75" (4.5 cm) positive ease Customizations? The neck is too wide to stay on Toni's narrow shoulders, so she could take out a couple of pattern repeats in the center panel to make the front narrower. The sleeves could be shortened so that the frilly cuffs were closer to Toni's waistline, accenting it a bit more. Also, we could have cinched the waist straps a bit more. If Toni wanted a closer fit, she would make the next size down.

Knitting Daily Galleries : Tops

IWK Summer 2008 Elinor Tunic

Gallery: Elinor Tunic, design by Wendy Bernard

Elinor Tunic

Stefanie

Debbie

Sandi

Erin

Bertha

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 Plaid Halter

Gallery: Plaid Halter, design by Gryphon Perkins

Plaid Halter

Stefanie

Debbie

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 Summer 2008 Roped Shell

Gallery: Roped Shell, design by Angela Hahn

Roped Shell

Debbie

Stefanie

Sandi

Bertha

IWK Summer 2008 Imprint Tank

Gallery: Imprint Tank, design by Sarah Hoadley

Imprint Tank

Stefanie

Debbie

Erin

Bertha

IWK Summer 2008 Folded Cowl Tee

Gallery: Folded Cowl Tee, design by Michelle Katerberg

Folded Cowl Tee

Stefanie

Debbie

Erin, wearing tee as designer intended

Erin, wearing tee backwards

Sandi

Bertha, backwards (right) and correctly (left)

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