This was my very first knitted garment. I got all crazy and changed up the pattern a little (which was quite ambitious of me but caused great stress since I’m a newb). I am very pleased with the end product. I would like to say that this pattern was fabulous for a beginner-it is very very lovely and not too complicated at all (which enabled me to even begin in the first place).

As you can see there is a slight curl at the pits and neckline. I am totally new at this knitting thing and am not really sure what you do to avoid that-BUT I have considered taking my crochet hook out and attempt to fix it…BUT I find I’m not sure…but I think I might like the curl. haha!

May 27:I have no idea why there aren’t more projects under this adorable pattern. I am a newbie, but it looks really cute and probably something I could do. :) I did my cast the crochet way and am currently on round 3.

May 28: Okie dokie, my gauge was way off-but I knew that would happen due to the fact that I’m a knitting newb and that I only have a few needles and I refuse to buy craploads. SOooooo I’m using a us 6 with some baby sport weight. I had to cut the cast on practically in half due (94) with my half points at (47) to this, but I think I’ve finally gotten something I can work with-I frogged it four times since starting but now I think I see it working out for me. I’ve finished two lace pattern repeats and it’s doesn’t look like poo.

May 29: Ok, I think last night was my final frog. Like the song by Europe, “It’s The Final Froggin’! da da da daaaaa da da da da daaaaaaaaaaaaaa” I have cast on 112 because I didn’t want it super tight and I’m leaving it that way. Now I’m back on round 2. AAAHHH!
Later that day: I’ve done a few rounds and have finally been pleased enough to take the first photo of this little project. :) I love how it actually looks like a little design. I’m so new at this knitting thing that I didn’t know if I could figure it out

5-30: I’ve gotten a few more repeats in…I like this one easy round and one round you have to pay attention….There was a row or two I was off on my counts and you can totally tell when you look at it-but at this point I don’t care because I’m not frogging it. This is my tester top and if I like it I might get a good yarn and do it for real.

5-31: I’ve done 10” of the lace pattern. I am switching to just knit now, and will do so for another 6” before switching to the divide front and back. I did this because I would prefer to not have lace over my bozingas. That is a personal thing. I am loving how the lace part looks, I’m so excited that I have been able to do this, being such a newb! :)
Later that day: I just divided for front and back-I did this after 5.5” of knit instead of 6” like planned. This was my first time removing stitches from the main needle and putting them on a stitch holder. It was very stressful but exciting all at the same time. :) So far so good! :)

6-1: I finally had an opportunity to try this thing on. I was scared to disturb the needles too much so I waited until I was almost done and put in another life line just in case. I’ve been freaking out that all this work would be for naught if it didn’t fit!!! OMG IT FITS!!! Even with all my adjustments and changes. I did change up the rows for the pits (due to my gauge) I’ll write in my changes after I’m all done….I still have a bit left on the back section to work up and then the ties (which I think I will make straps)….
6-2: And I’m DONE! I just have to block it. The last two pictures of me wearing the top are prior to blocking

Notations about pattern changes:
cast on 112 and my mid points were at 56.
Arm pit changes: the bind offs were 6,4,4,6 respectively. I repeated the rows 4 times total
and in front I did it the stockinette 4 more rows…for the back I did it until It measured 10.5 knit.
Unblocked dimensions:
lace part: 10” in height and 13” in width
Front knit part: 7.5”
Back knit part: 10.5”
Straps (which I did stockinette for a total of 7.5” but I did the opposite stitch for every ending stitch).