OK, it will barely be winter anymore by the time I finish this top. But I need a side project to keep me motivated/sane while I knit yet another 20-foot long Doctor Who scarf for a client. And this quick, sparkly little top will be just the thing to steal a few minutes with here and there, or when I’m traveling. I’ve added a few stitch patterns of my own (wheat sheaf stitch, crossed dropped stitches, a Fantasia star stitch pattern) to the ones already included in this lace sampler top. (Note: the size 10.5 needles were used for the Fantasia star stitch pattern, which is the fifth pattern up from the bottom and the very last one at the top, as I found it pulled inwards on those sections otherwise.) I also minimized use of the dropped stitch rows, and shortened them from 3 wraps to 2, because as cool as they look, I just KNOW they will catch and pull on things. Where I have put the one dropped row I did use, near the bottom, I haven’t had much trouble with it (so far!) in wearing the top.

Did I mention how much I love this yarn? Who knows, it might wear all scratchy, for all I know (EDIT: No, actually, it doesn’t!). But, it’s so gorgeous, with a sparkly strand spun in to begin with, and then the added sequins to boot !

CO 96 sts. Despite my gauge swatch looking promising size-wise, it appears this top is going to be WAY too wide for me. I know, it’s supposed to be boxy, but dang! After just 3” I’m tempted to frog it already and start out with far fewer sts, like maybe 80. I’ll do a few more rows before I decide…

9/30/2018 After 5” of 96 sts, I realized it stretched to 27” wide, which would be HUGE on me. Plus, I would almost certainly run out of yarn. Frogged and starting over with 72 sts. I started out with a US size 8 needle, but switched to a size 9 with the restart, as the stitches looked too tight and I wanted a lacier look.

Raveler ThirtyOneThirteen is right: the models in the original pattern photos are deliberately holding back/hiding the large amount of positive ease (extra fabric in the sides); I was wondering how this piece could possibly fit anyone who’s on the petite side so well, knitted as written. (Answer: it won’t! It will be extremely wide, except for the sleeve length, and baggy.) Also, there are a surprising number of errors in both stitch counts and row counts in the pattern, especially on stitch patterns C and D - I’d just fixed and ignored them at first, thinking that since I’d changed the stitch count, I must have altered the pattern slightly myself, but the errors are definitely there. Still, it’s a simple enough project that the errors are easy enough to correct if you’re at all an experienced knitter. Definitely look at the gauge and adjust your stitch count, though, as I see the “too wide” problem is a common theme among other Ravelers. I’m looking at this pattern more as a template than an exact knit anyway, as I’m adding some other stitch patterns of my own, but whenever I tried to follow the pattern exactly, I ran into problems. It’s nice to realize it wasn’t just me. :)

Held 18 sts on either side for shoulders, binding off 36 (exactly half) in the middle for neckline, then continued 6 rows of garter for shoulders. Bound off each and seamed together with mattress stitch; I considered doing a Kitchener stitch, but decided it wasn’t worth the extra work for the small payoff. :)

Started side 2 (front) on 11/5/18. So far, it’s going more quickly than the back - nearly half done!

1/25/2019: It’s finished! I love it, but it’s a bit too long for me at about 20”, and growing ever longer (past my hips) as I wear it. I’m considering shortening it, probably from the bottom. If I make another - and I expect I will, as it’s so easily customizable with different yarns and stitches - the length won’t exceed 17” or so. Definitely size your top carefully, and knit it on the smaller side, especially if you plan to block.