I am hereby ending what is officially the longest time I have abandoned this little blog of mine since starting it a couple of years ago. I hope you can agree with me that it was for quite understandable reasons. While absent I have moved to a different country as well as obtaining my PhD degree. So from now on I am dr. Tahnée living in Paris (rather than just Tahnée living in the Netherlands).
I’ve been trying for a couple of weeks now to re-enter the blog-o-sphere, but failed to find the right words. But now I figured, what better way to return my blabberings about knitting than by showing an FO!
Pattern: Bolan Tee by Leila Raab
Yarn: Isager Viscolin (in what I think is colour # 60?)
This is my first ever attempt at knitting something that is meant to be worn in summer. I pretty much fell in love when I came across this pattern and immediately wanted to knit it, throwing all prejudice I had against knitted tops overboard. I picked out a yarn out of materials I’ve also never worked with (Linen/Flax/Viscose, I honestly don’t even know what that means), and off I went.
So first of all, was this a fun knit? No. Not.at.all. Was that the patterns fault? Also not at all. It was 100% my own fault. Somehow my brain decided to turn to mush post-PhD defense and following even the most basic instructions left me confused. I think I had to reknit every section of this piece a million times, and doing that on tiny needles with tiny yarn is just plain frustrating. And then when I finally finished all the knitting I managed to do this;
Yes, I had twisted one of the pieces when sewing it together. Honestly, I can be such an idiot sometimes. Anyway, am I happy with this project nonetheless? Here I have to answer with a whole-hearted YES! It is really such a lovely design, I love everything about it. It is incredibly light and breezy, I love the fit, I love the simple colour. It’s exactly what I had hoped it would be!
The yarn was pretty scratchy when I was knitting with it, but it has softened up so much after washing! I’m curious to see how it’ll behave with wear and more washes.
And quite to my surprise, this has converted me to the idea that summer knits are a thing, and I’ve already cast on a new top! But more on that soon (because you know, I’m back and everything!).
How about you, are you a summer knitter?
Beautiful top! I am knitting with a linen blend as well, and it’s the splittiness that makes me grump. But I got to below the arms and tried it on…think it’ll be worth the bother.
Congratulations on your Ph.D. Wowza!
The splittiness is definitely frustrating, but it is worth to stick with it!
Congratulations on the PhD! I’ve just become the other kind of doctor and know how much hard work has gone into gaining the title. The top looks great, especially the colour and the lace detail at the collar.
Thanks Charlotte, a massive congrats to you too!!
Welcome back to your space!! Sounds like you had many good reasons for the ‘sabbatical ‘!! Congrats on the PhD. I adore your sweater and immediately had to add it to my ‘list’. Sounds like my missing mojo is returning. I’ve been working on another featherweight cardigan…the only summer sweater I’ve knit lately. But….I love it enough to make it several times I highly recommend it!!!!!!
I’ve not made a summer top yet. I have no idea what to wear under it. But I agree that they look gorgeous, especially your new top.
Wow. I just found your blog a few days ago, and I kind of read it all, to the beginning 🙂 your knitting is beautiful and very inspiring.