Last time, I stated my intention to add full sleeves to this pattern… But then I finished up the body and tried it on. and I loved it with short sleeves! The designer was right.
I did pick up and add a little extra sleeve length – ten rows of lace – before finishing with a twisted rib cuff.
I knew I had the sizing bang on, straight from the needles, so I didn’t need to block it for the sake of size. I just wanted to smooth everything out and improve the drape and softness of the fabric. So it got a soak in warm water and conditioner for an hour, then drained, then rolled up in a towel and trampled on to take out most of the moisture. Then I laid out out on the coffee table, smoothed flat with my hands, and pulled the sleeves a little. Then it sat on the coffee table for a day which was less inconvenient than you might imagine.
I feel really accomplished with this garment. I made quite a few successful amendments. I chose to shape the neckline with short rows – I didn’t even write down the plan, I just did it on the hoof (while watching 90s classic Speed) and it turned out just how I wanted. Well… I did think that I might have made too many rows in the front after it was done. I could see the front was now a little higher than the back. Instead of adding more length and then seaming, I grafted front and back together. I figured that would let the top find its equilibrium over my shoulders, without a visible seam to make it look off-balance.
I used a twisted rib on the collar and cuffs – kind of wish I’d started with one on the hem, but not enough to go back and re-do. And the waist shaping, which I mentioned last time, has given a very fitted tee, which was absolutely the idea. And I love the colours and feel great about using stash!
As a reminder, this is the As If Tee Lite (Ravelry link) by Shay Johnson (designer’s site). I added waist shaping, sleeves, and a short row neckline. I used 111g of Papatya Love and 27g of Katia Sweet Lace.
The Crafty Yarnster 