Kinton Tee
My daughter and I took a little day trip to Galveston as, sort of, an in-case-you-move-soon thing. I didn’t want the summer to get away from us and miss an opportunity for some quality time. Of course, I also pressured her to take photos of my finished knits for the Tops Tanks and Tees Knit-along and the Natural Wardrobe Make-along.
This one is Kinton, designed by my friend Jennifer Kelley for the Appalachian Knits collection that she has created with Christina Danaee. Knit in cotton and linen, it is perfect for summer.
Also, sea spray hit my lens on the ferry and it didn’t behave the rest of the trip. So I got what I got and I’m just trying to make it work. The second photo is the best one I have for showing the lace section once it’s blocked.
Appalachian Knits produces patterns from two designers living in Appalachia that showcase dyers and yarn companies also from that area. There is a story behind each of the yarns they use. I find these yarns very inspiring and something I want to eventually try. So far I want to make everything in their collection, but I already have yarn ready to go for Old Rag and Allegheny, so they probably need to happen first. Were I to knit another sweater from the collection soon, it would be Roan– so many cables!
Linton was well written and the lace chart did get instinctive after a while. You may remember that I had trouble getting gauge and had to start one of them over again, but that was all me.
Details on Kinton: I used size US 2.5 needles and 6 skeins of Lindy Chain to make this. I knit the 38″ (second size) which gave me about 3″ of positive ease. I added a bit more length to mine than directed.
My thoughts on Lindy Chain, now that I’ve used it twice, are that it makes a nice, lightweight fabric but it could get splitty when knitting the lace. Most of the trouble I had was when I first began knitting this and was knitting at too tight a gauge. When I ripped it back and re-knit more loosely, it did become easier to knit without all of the splitting of the fiber.
This yarn also fits the criteria for a natural wardrobe item, being a combo of all natural fibers.
My only modification was to pick up about 12 stitches less for the garter neckline. Most of those stitches were omitted from the front of the top. As you can see, I still have a nice wide neckline this way, but there’s no rolling outward. Before, it rolled and was a little loose and floppy in front and back. I’m surprised by how much of a difference just a few less stitches could make.
When I was struggling with the loose neckline, I almost decided to do an I-cord bind off, but I’m so glad I didn’t. Reducing the picked up stitches allowed me to give the neckline the same garter stitch treatment as the bottom edge and sleeves. I also like the way it looks better for this top.
What I love about this top is obviously the lace panel down the back. Beautiful and delicate. I also like the hi/low hem. It’s a cute added detail.
The thing I appreciate the most though is the weight of it! You can’t get any lighter than fingering weight linen/cotton. I can really wear this one all summer. Most of my summer knits only work for a short time and when I know I’ll be in serious air condition. But this one stands up to the Texas heat as much as any article of clothing, other than a swimsuit, can.
(more on ravelry, instagram, and flickr)
So have you seen any of the other finished projects in the Tops, Tanks, and Tees KAL? I’ll miss the chatter, but only for a short time because the Summer Sweater KAL will be starting soon.
I’m also really pleased to have done something toward my natural wartime goals with the Natural Wardrobe Make-along. My main goal is to bust out that sewing machine and make some easy fitting summer tops and skirts. I have been abstaining from buying things I no longer feel good about at the mall or Target, but I’m gonna need some things soon. Today is the last day of school and all of the ceremonies have been attended, so I think I’ll have plenty of time to tackle that in the coming weeks.
