Alexandra, You Rock

Once I split for the back & front, Ballet Camisole went very, very quickly:

I did make a couple of changes when I got to the neck line. One, I obviously didn't gather the front. I fully intended to, but when I test-gathered I realized it was a little too revealing & I'd intended for this to be work-wearable. But then, I didn't want to have just a plain tank! I decided to add wee chain loops for the barest hint of a ruffle:

Plus it make a nice finish to the edges. (Obviously, my knit-in-the-round/knit-flat gauge issues evened out on their own. You really can't tell where I switched styles on the front - whew! Obviously, I need to practice some things a bit more, eh?)

Here's a shot of the waist shaping:

Today Ballet Cami gets blocked a bit, then she's ready to go!

On to the stats:

Pattern - Ballet Camisole I pretty much knit this as written, although I used a size 7 needle (which is what the Saucy ball band called for) so I knit a size smaller (the 38) to get where I wanted to be. A couple inches of negative ease is written into the pattern, so you need to take that into consideration too before changing sizes/gauges. I really don't futz with Alexandra's patterns - she's already done all the futzing herself. ;) Good job, Alexandra!

Yarn - Reynolds "Saucy" - 3 1/4 skeins in a dusty rose. As cottons go, this is more unforgiving than most. In fact, for the first time ever, my hands ached a bit after knitting long periods with this stuff. Obviously, cotton blends have spoiled me. It's been awhile since I've knit with 100% cotton. Even then, the 100% cottons I've used generally don't have this stiff, rope-like construction. Jill  - it wasn't you - it was the yarn! I doubt I'll ever use it again.

Needles - This was my first full project using KP's Options line and they performed perfectly. They didn't unscrew from the joins (although remember - you HAVE to use the key to tighten the needle tips on the cords! Otherwise, just like the Boye interchangeables, they'll come apart!) and my knitting fairly flew on the their Addi-like finish. The sharp points are to-die-for. It made picking up stitches, twisting them, knitting them together, etc. a breeze. As I said before, I still push the tips when I knit a stitch, but the sharpness doesn't bother my fingertips at all. I'm still getting used to the longer needle length after using my Denises for so long. I'm used to being able to "palm" the needle - have it hit right in them middle - and the Options are longer. But that's minor & just a personal preference so I'll adjust. ::wink:: The squishy, thin cords are perfection. Sigh. :)

I did miss being able to add cords, slide my knitting over & immediately have it on a stitch holder, but maybe someday those precious cord connectors will be manufactured.

Final thoughts: I can still gather the front later on if I choose. In fact, after I lose another 20 or so pounds, it might be just the ticket to keeping this wearable. I'm thinking the little edging makes this look very camisole-y and sewing little pink pearl buttons down the front might add to the look. Kind of like a real Victorian cami. What do you all think?

Edited to add: If you DO order KP's Options line, make sure that you try screwing on every needle to the cord. After reading about one person's problems (the hole in the needle was too big) I tried mine and sure enough, the size 8 needle's hole was too small to screw onto the cord. I just called Knit Picks and they're sending a replacement out today.

Comments

[Deneen]

That looks wonderful on you-

I don't even knit (yet) and you have me wanting the KP Options-so bad.

BTW, I frogged the Short N Sweet-no way was I going to go through all that and not have the rounds work out. Ugh, back to the drawing board.

[Kristen]

Very pretty; the 'hint of ruffle' is the perfect touch.

[Bron]

Thanks, Deneen. :) I'm sorry to hear you frogged Short & Sweet but I know that's a frustrating pattern.

Thanks, Kristen - I'm not usually a ruffly gal, but that little bit I can handle. ;)

[Linda]

I'm impressed with the way your tank fits, and your edging is the perfect finish. Pink buttons would be nice to change the look later on, but it looks pretty darn good just the way it is.

[Vera]

THe cami looks wonderful, and I love the edging.

[Jill]

Beautiful! I am happy to hear it wasn't just me having issues with the yarn. ;o)

[Margaret]

Gorgeous! I absolutely love it and the way it fits you is perfection! I love the color on you too. Great Job Bron!

Have a great day Everyone!

[Agnes]

Nice! I am thinking of making this in black ... would be good for going out at night. The same here ... I don't really like knitting in the round that much!

[jillian]

Wonderful job Bron! It looks beautiful! The little touch of ruffle is a perfect touch. How great that you can add the gather for fit later on.

A gal in my knitting group is using Saucy for an intarsia sweater and she is NOT having a good time of it!

[Wanda]

It looks great on Bron! Just beautiful. That's good to know about the gathering. Not sure if I'm going to do that or not. I ordered Shine Sport in Crocus and I can't wait for it to get here. I may just omit the gathering but find some other edging for the neckline. I'm not sure how you did the chain loops, was that crochet? If so, I'll probably skip that as I suck at all forms of crochet.

[Andrea]

Awesome! I think I have to make one just like you did. :) Are the loops ch 3, skip x sts, sl st?

[Sheri]

Great job! You're awesome, with a crochet hook as well as the knitting needles. Looks great on you, too.
Sheri in GA

[emily]

Your cami is sooo cute! I really can't wait to start mine. Thanks for the tip about the KP Options join...I'm thinking about ordering some, so that is good to know.

[Bron]

Hey all! Thanks for the wonderful feedback - I appreciate it!

Wanda & Andrea - The edging is ch 3, sk 1 sc, sl st in next st, continue around. I slip stitched around the neckline for my base, but on the armholes I did single crochets. Either way would work and Wanda - honestly, you could do it! By the way - Crocus is going to be a lovely color for this. I can't wait to see yours. :)

Agnes - This would be great in black - the perfect little something to look classy going out. :)

Jillian - At least now I can say I've tried Saucy. I've always wondered how it would knit. Intarsia with it sounds like a nightmare! Tell her she has my sympathy.

Emily - You're welcome regarding the needles heads up. The worst thing that could happen is having the set for a few months and THEN trying a certain size. Evidently, after 30 days your return/complain option expires. I'd hate being stuck with needles that didn't work. :(

Good luck with your cami - I know you'll enjoy the pattern. :)

[Sara]

Great work. that tank is (like everything) on my "to do" list

[amy!]

Hey! That's not a gargoyle!!!

But nice toned arms and congratulations on not winning the not race. ;)

And now I'm off to go screw around with my Options needles.

[Carrie K]

It's cute! the touch of ruffle is a nice finish. The colors are so different in the different pix! Computers.

[Robbyn]

The Ballet cami is just beautiful! Maybe three little buttons descending from the lowest point in the scoop?

I'm tickled to hear about your contacts. I tried off and on for several years but never could get used to them. My eyes felt "naked" - unprotected. Right - back to the glasses :)

[Erica B.]

The fit is awesome... way to go on another great project!

[Bron]

Amy - I swear, the gargoyle's coming. ;)

And thanks for commenting on my arms! LOL - All reps are starting to pay off. :)

Robbyn - Great idea regarding the buttons. Just three might be just enough of an accent.

I SO know what you mean about feeling naked without glasses! I'm still at the freaked-out stage. At least I still have my glasses so I'll alway have the choice. :)

Carrie - the color is truest in the top pic - the outdoor one.

And thanks again to everyone else!

[Wendy]

Bron, it looks very nice on you. The color is soft and the fit is flattering.