Recently my friend Suzie finished her Alanis top that she made as part of my online Alanis course and she was kind enough to let me borrow it for a bit! I wanted to share a bit about this version she made because it’s a great example of how you can take a design that seems very ‘Fall/Winter-esque’ and make it a more warm-weather-friendly by choosing a yarn that provides a bit more drape and lightness.
Alanis is a layering top that has been a very popular pattern of mine for many years. And earlier this year I created an online, go-at-your-own-pace course for it where I guide you through every aspect of making this top, from how to pick a size and gauge swatch all the way to weaving in ends and blocking (and everything in-between!). Keep reading below if you want to learn more about this online workshop.
But back to Suzie’s version! So she made her Alanis with the yarn Luma from The Fibre Company – a merino/cotton/linen/silk blend. She chose Sangria as the main color and Sage as the contrasting color.
So why does a yarn like Luma work so well for this?
In Alanis, the stitch gauge is 19 stitches = 4″ which typically is considered more in the worsted-weight realm, but Luma is a DK-weight which is one level thinner than worsted. DK yarn often still knits up nicely at 19 stitches = 4″ but the fabric created is just a bit looser compared to worsted-weight. So by using a DK yarn, she was able to create a lighter-feeling fabric with lots of drape – a great option for the warmer weather.
Luma is a blend of merino, cotton, linen and silk. This combination is so great for multi-seasonal wear because the linen and silk give it lots of light-weight drape, the cotton feels nice against your body in the warmer weather, and the 50% merino allows the piece to still have some elasticity and avoid feeling like the piece just sags on the body (something that can happen with cotton yarn).
Other DK yarns that also have a mix of merino and cotton or linen (and would create a similar drape) are: Sandnes Garn Duo, Manos del Uruguay Milo, The Fibre Company &Make DK, Cascade Anchor Bay, and Universal Yarn Wool Pop (to name a few).
Are those stripes I see?
Suzie made it her own by adding a bit of stripe flare! On the upper back she added some easy 2-row stripes, incorporating the contrasting color from the pocket lining. I just LOVE this modification she made. It’s such a fun way to add some of that contrasting color to the back (why should the pocket lining have all the fun?!).
Here is how she did it:
- In the “Back Yoke” section, she worked as instructed in the pattern until the armhole depth measured 4″. She made the size S – if you are making a different size, I’d just advise to work the armhole depth about 1/2 the depth it should be for your size (see schematic for that info).
- Then she worked in 2 row stripes for the remaining 3.5″ of her armhole depth (since she made size S, the total armhole depth measured 7.5″ – if you’re making another size it may be less or more).
- Then she continued with the 2-row stripes in just section 1 of the shoulder shaping.
- She then switched back to just the main color for the rest of the Back instructions
Take the online course this Summer!
The Alanis course is available online and since it’s a go-at-your-own-pace format (all the lessons are pre-recorded), it’s a perfect way to elevate your garment knitting skills this Summer, even if you have a busy schedule. To learn all about it, click here. You can also watch my video below where I provide details about what you can expect in the course: