My first attempt at this form fitting summer top. I’m knitting this project along with a very good knitterly friend I originally met here on Ravelry (Mojoclicks’).

Through email exchanges and the like we’ve moved from acquaintance to friend. What better way to celebrate this relationship than to knit along with each other.

Mojoclicks’ has created one other Bombshell, but needs to replace due to a yarn malfunction. This time we shall create together!

UPDATE (May 10, 2010): This is a very quick knit. The Raglan sleeves, square neckline, and hip shaping will certainly be flattering. I am now nearing the end of the ribbing band. However, I neglected to switch to a smaller needle size so may frog about 25 rows or so. So far I am loving this knit. I’ve frogged the ribbing and re-knit it with a smaller needle. I’m much happier now.

(July 22, 2010) This perfectly fitting top deserved a pair of perfectly fitting bottoms. I found, in my fabric stash, some blue/purple linen that was begging to become a pair of fitted pants. The linen is the perfect compliment to the muted tones of the top.

UPDATE (May 12, 2010): The work has been frogged; yes, frogged. I was not happy with the sizing of the yoke nor the placement of the neckline. Once I frogged to that point, I figured I might as keep going and cast on anew. I am using a smaller (size 4mm - 7US) needle to accomplish the yoke this time around. I’m a fan of tighter fabric, especially around the bodice area of the body.

1. This is a very fast knit so froggin’ the imperfect knitting does not cause a lot of issue or pain.

UPDATE (May 13, 2010): As previously noted, this is an insanely fast knit. I’m beginning the back darts and expect to reach the ribbing soon. I’m much happier with the gauge of the fabric and the sizing with the 4mm (US 6) needle size. The Yoke will fit perfectly.

1. UPDATE (May 14, 2010): I’ve knit to the large size in the pattern. However, I’ve lengthened it in several places. I knit the ribbing to 5 inches, then moved onto the hip shaping. Hip shaping was knit to pattern and then knit straight until the section below the ribbing equals 5 1/2 inches. Then I knit the seed stitch edging using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.

2. UPDATE (May 15, 2010): All that remains is the neck and arm edgings. I picked up 2 stitches for every 3 around the front and back of the neck edging. I picked up the number of stitches around the arms and side of the neckline. I added an extra row of seed stitch edging around the neckline. I knit the edging according to the pattern around the arms, except I knit them in the round instead of back and forth.

I highly recommend this knit for anyone who wants to create a wasteline. The ribbing does a fabulous job of creating a waste.

CHANGES:

1. I’ve used a smaller needle (4mm - 6US) to knit the yoke in order to create a tighter fabric. I’ve knit to a tighter guage and adjust accordingly throughout the pattern.

2. Instead of the Kf&b for the Raglan increases I’ve used EZimmerman’s backward loop cast on method of making a stitch with 2 knits in between each increase. This gives a more finished and neat look to the raglan increases.

3. Instead of creating the neckline after 21 repeats of the raglan shaping, I’ve done so at repeat #20. This still provides a deep square to the shaping, but not so deep that I am uncomfortable wearing it.

4. Instead of the ssk / K2 together for the decreases, I’ve used the much neater decrease. Knit, move knitted stitch to left needle, bind off one stitch on the left needle, move the knitted stitch back to the right needle (thanks to Mojoclicks’ for the tip). I replaced the K2 tog with slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over. This avoids holes in the fabric and presents a much more pleasing dart on both the front and back.

5. Needle Sizes: I knit the neck and arm seed stitch edging with a 3.5 mm (US 4) needle; the hem seed stitch edging with a 4.5 mm (US 7); the yoke with 4 mm (US 6); the ribbing with 3.75 mm (US 5); and the bit below the ribbing (hip shaping area) plus the hem seed stitch edging) with 4.5 (US 7).