This is another test for the queen of tailored knitting design. It’s fun testing for Jutta because I always learn some new technique. This time it’s her “Perfect Edge Cast-On” method which is used for front and back neckline as well as adding stitches under the arms. The pattern contains a photo tutorial for this technique with detailed instructions. It’s easy, clever and neat.

Jutta assigned a large size for me so I had to use finer yarn and needles to achieve the intended size for the recipient. I followed the pattern except for having to add 12 additional rounds before joining front and back. This was due to my shorter row gauge, and the fact that I knew the garment was going to shrink a couple of inches in length when thrown in the dryer after laundering. As I did these additional rounds, I continued the lifted increases at armhole edges every other round. So I ended up with more total stitches when I joined front to back. The fit is perfect for Denise, and fingering weight yarn is by far the best for our hot summer and fall weather here in the SF Bay Area. I’m modeling in the photos at left until I can get some pictures of Denise wearing it. The garment is quite loose on me, so I’d definitely knit a smaller size if/when I knit one for myself. Another modification that I’d make for myself is to cast on more stitches at center front and back because I have very broad shoulders. I could use at least another 1.5 inches for a wider neckline. I might drop the back neckline a bit or even make the front and back the same due to our very hot climate during summer and fall.

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn. If you decide to use fingering weight as I did, you’ll need to do some math after you make your swatch. Most likely it will require that you go up a size or two from your normal size and you’ll also need to do some additional rows as I did before joining front and back - especially if you use 100% cotton and plan for machine washing and drying. (Note that garments made from this yarn look beautiful emerging from a warm dryer, though I always recommend hand washing or machine washing on delicate cycle.) From that point on, it’s smooth sailing. There are optional bust darts for fitting curvy figures. Jutta patterns are unsurpassed when it comes to fitting options. This pattern contains several waist shaping options (or none) as well.

This is a good pattern for using up leftover yarn. The coral stripe in my top is left over “Dark Old Rose” yarn that I used for another of Jutta’s beautiful designs recently. My coral stripes consist of two rounds rather than the one round suggested in the pattern. You can do any desired striping!

Finished measurements after shrinking in the dryer:

Bust = 41”
Waist = 38”
Hip = 42”
Armhole Depth = 8”
Length from underarm to bottom edge = 16”
Front Neckline Depth = 6.25”
Shoulder Width = 13”
Light Green Stripe = 4.5” high (I used all of one ball.)

2 Jogless Stripe Techniques.
The 2nd method will shift the BOR over 1 stitch.to the left every time you change colors. The YO method will not shift the BOR.

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