Here's a top that I knit for my niece, who's turning 3 this weekend. The yarn for this was a RAOK destash from Lori of Yarnbeans. Thanks, Lori!
This is a tank top that I've knit before, for my older niece, and it was a big hit for her, so I thought I'd make another one for niece #2 on the other side of the family. I also made some quick hair scrunchies by crocheting around an elastic, to use up the leftover yarn. It's done in Knitpicks Getaway. The yarn isn't bad to knit with, but I have to say that crocheting with it for the edging is a bit of a pain. The thick-and-thinness of it makes it difficult. But I really like the finished product, enough that I've knit it twice now, and have the yarn to do one for baby niece #3 as well! The suggested yarn was Crystal Palace Party (hence the name Party Tank Top), which I haven't seen in person, but from the picture the KP Getaway seems to be a pretty good substitution.
And of course, since I have two boys but always enjoy shopping for girls, I thought I'd make an outfit of it for her gift. I lucked out and found matches for the rather unusual shades of orange and yellow in the yarn, and couldn't resist the cute sandals!
Pattern: Child's Party Tank Top, by Dawn Leeseman for Crystal Palace Yarns
Yarn: Knitpicks Vacation (35% Tactel, 35% Nylon, 18% Cotton, 12% Acrylic), in Nap
Needles: US10
Gauge: 4.25 st/in
Notes: I remembered from doing niece #1's top that it came out a bit short for my liking, so I did this one a bit longer before dividing for the armholes. I also sort of messed up counting how many stitches to put on waste yarn for the front, but especially in this yarn I don't think anyone would ever notice. I just fudged the rest of the decreases and shoulder seams so that it all worked out in the end. Um, and I changed the edging a bit--I only did two sc in between picots, and I eliminated them under the arm where I thought they might be uncomfortable. So on the sides the picots are only around the shoulder.
I hope she likes it! The "big 3" party is Saturday.
Comments (5)
That is so cute! I would not have thought that Getaway would knit up so even-looking. The fabric looks nice and cool for summer. :)
Posted by Amanda | April 5, 2007 8:10 AM
Posted on April 5, 2007 08:10
Wow, Janelle, It looks great! I'm so glad that the yarn worked out for you!
Posted by Lori | April 5, 2007 9:14 AM
Posted on April 5, 2007 09:14
That's super cute for a little girl. The yarn looks way better in person than in the ball.
Posted by Theresa | April 5, 2007 4:42 PM
Posted on April 5, 2007 16:42
So cute! And what a great little outfit!
Posted by Jennifer | April 6, 2007 1:32 PM
Posted on April 6, 2007 13:32
The top, and the whole outfit, is wicked cute! My son cares nada about clothes. And my neices are too old (11 and 13) to get clothes anymore. Besides, the last time I did something really nice for them (hand made and somewhat matching-they have birthdays at about the same time- felted bags with yarn and needles--they had learned to knit), they TOSSED THE GIFT OVER THEIR SHOULDERS when they opened them. Ditto the cute gap outfit (like your set above, choices, accessories)! So, now it is only a gift card for them. To Barnes and Noble. So maybe they'll read a book or something. PS-I want some capris like that!
Posted by lisa | April 6, 2007 1:53 PM
Posted on April 6, 2007 13:53