PROJECTS Unexpected Summer Knits

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Sometimes you need to see a finished project on a real person to see how unexpectedly great it can be. The following are a few projects I just stumbled across that made me say YAAAAASSSSSS. Simple, unexpected little details can take a garment from an ordinary top to something special.

All of these projects work beautifully in Quince & Co Kestrel – an aran to bulky weight organic linen that loosens up completely for an easy summer garment.

See more projects for Kestrel HERE

Use Code QUINCE15 at checkout to receive 15% Off Quince & Co Yarns, until July 15th.*

*Discount can not be combined with any other discounts or sales, and is subject to change without notice.

Photos: gracececelia on Ravelry

Ursa

A cropped little top is the prettiest thing when paired with a summer dress or loose skirt/pants. It gives you just enough coverage with tons of casual, easy to wear style. This tops is knit at a loose, comfortable tension on 6.5mm/US10 needles, so you’ll whip it up quickly and it’ll breathe beautifully. Linen tends to be VERY stretchy, I would go down two sizes in the pattern for a comfortable fit.

Ursa is constructed from the top-down with raglan shaping for the sleeves and optional horizontal bust darts in 3 cup sizes. The pattern includes directions to try it on as you work and notations to help you tweak the size (including the length, if cropped isn’t your thing!) according to your preference. Also included in the pattern are links to custom video tutorials that will walk you through the techniques for half brioche stitch and German short rows.

See more Ursas made with Quince & Co Kestrel

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

To choose your size, measure the circumference around the fullest part of your bust, then add 2-6” (depending on how much ease you want) and choose the closest size. If you are between sizes, you can size up or down depending on whether you want more or less ease in the bicep (see full schematics illustration in the photos to the left).

  • Finished bust circumference: (34, 38, 42) [46, 50, 54] {58, 62, 66} inches / (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) [117, 127, 137] {147.5, 157.5, 167.5} cm

Materials

Please note that Linen (Quince & Co Kestrel) is very stretchy, especially knit at a looser tension like recommended in this pattern (on 6.5mm/US10.5 needles). I highly recommend going down two sizes in the pattern, as the fibre will relax after washing and your garment will grow.

  • Quince & Co Kestrel: With Long Sleeves – (6, 7, 8) [8, 9, 10] {11, 12, 13} … for a top with short sleeves you can probably omit at least 2 skeins of yarn.
  • 6.5mm/US10.5 needles (you can go down to 5.5mm/US9 for a tighter tension)
  • Stitch Markers
  • Pattern

Yarn Alternatives

Another good yarn option that isn’t quite as precious as linen is the Rico So Cool So Soft, a super soft, bulky weight, 100% pima cotton yarn. For this yarn, choose your sizing like normal, and if you want you can go up to a 7mm/US10.75 needle with it, or if you want a looser texture go up to an 8mm/US11. If you want to make short sleeves you can probably omit at least 1 ball of yarn.

Photo: jkstarnes
Photo: marieleecarter

Birdie

Shrugs were going hard when I first started out in this industry, and I’m really glad to see them creeping back into summer silhouettes. Their relaxed elegance make for the most comfortable, versatile summer cardie on the planet (especially paired with linen)! This one looks amazing over a casual top with pants, or pair it with a loose dress. They’re just the happiest cocoons you ever wore.

Birdie’s construction is simple – it’s just of two identical pieces worked flat and joined at center back (done with my favourite, the super-easy 3 needle bind-off), then closing the cast-on edges to form the sleeves makes it a refreshingly simple knit. Geometric stitch patterns provide a pleasing contrast to the soft hand of the fabric that Quince & Co Kestrel creates.

See more Birdies made with Quince & Co Kestrel

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Size

  • 33¼ (33¼, 40, 40)” [84.5 (84.5, 101.5, 101.5) cm] wide and 26¾” [68 cm] deep / to fit bust size 30-36 (36¼-42¼, 42½-48½, 48¾-54¾)” [76-91.5 (92-107.5, 108-123, 124-139) cm]

Materials

  • Quince & Co Kestrel: 9 (9, 11, 11) skeins
  • 4.5mm/US7 – 32″ circular needles
  • 5.5mm/US9 – 32″ circular needles
  • spare 5.5mm/US9 needle
  • 4.5mm/US7 double pointed needles
  • Pattern
Photos: tiny laser

Francis

This top is just cool … I love the take on the peek-a-book back that keeps your beautiful body all yours … unless you want it otherwise, in which case you can definitely knit it shorter and share with flare (as the Toltec say, ALL bodies are beautiful, so enjoy your body exactly the way you please).

Francis is leverly constructed in one piece, this tee can be worn with the opening in the front or back. The garment is worked in a single piece from cuff to cuff in stockinette, with a garter stitch panel providing textural interest. Perfect for advanced beginners (the pattern comes with a free Project Tutorial to guide you).

See other Francises (Franci?) made with Quince & Co Kestrel

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

  • Finished Bust: 31.5 (33.75, 37.75, 40.25, 42.5, 45.25, 48)“
  • Finished Length: 20.25 (21, 21.5, 22.25, 22.75, 23.5, 24)”

Materials

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