Several months ago an up-and-coming yarn company was looking for design submissions for their yarn line. Their request was in the form of a contest and within the contest there were two options. One option being the 'contemplater' receive your yarn info and sample early and work up a proposal. The other option was a 'risktaker', wait patiently for a mystery sample and work up a proposal in no time at all, guess what I chose? Risktaker of course! A month or so later I received notice that my design had been chosen for the final round of decisions and I was getting yarn to work up the sample. This yarn was amazing but also scarce and since it had just been invented and there wasn't even a technique to dye it the waiting was intense. But right after Christmas as I was recovering from strep throat I finally got a nice big box with two luscious cones of the most fabulous turquiose Crespo yarn.
I knit like a wild banshee for 6 days and after many nights of intense knitting while watching our yearly consumption of Die Hard movies Thalassa was born. And the best news of all is that this design was chosen to walk the catwalk at TNNA in Phoenix on January 21st weekend and so after blocking and steaming and working in ends off it flew to walk itself to fame and fortune.
Since the Crespo yarn is not even available yet I will tell you that it is a very lightweight crunchy kind of bamboo hemp yarn with an incredible halo, yes I said halo, and bamboo hemp, together in one yarn. It was actually really nice to knit, surprising since yarns like Linen can be so hard on the hands. It blocked like a miracle unfolding, with drape so supple I had religious visions.
Thalassa is a pullover tunic with a simple lace pattern and triple-wrapped stitches to create an airy sea foam pattern. Shaped by decreasing needle sizes and changing the stitch pattern, this tunic has a row of eyelets for a tie at the empire waist, and lovely airy sleeves worked with rows of vertical eyelets. The pattern includes both written and charted instructions and the bust circumference is generously sized from 34 ( 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58). Meant to be worn with 2 inches of positive ease the front has short rows to accomodate the bust and a tie at the empire waist to create a perfect fit everytime.
Since the Crespo hasn't even been released yet you might find yourself substituting yarn. Be aware that if you use a heavy cotton for this garment it will drop farther after blocking and the lace pattern will behave differently. If you don't want to wait for the Crespo I suggest a linen, or hemp blend for this garment.
As always you can purchase this pattern through Ravelry whether you have an account or not, the price is $7.50 for the PDF download.
Also check out the project link to see project pages and more technical information about this garment
Chest: 34 ( 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58) inches circumference
Length shoulder to hem: 32.5 ( 33, 33.75, 33.75, 34.25, 34.25, 34.75) inches
900 ( 980, 1140, 1210, 1362, 1510, 1608) yards total
1 US 8/5mm 32 inch circular needle (larger sizes may be worked on 47 inch circular needle if desired)
1 US 7/4.5mm 32 inch circular needle (larger sizes may be worked on 47 inch circular needle if desired)
1 US 6/4 mm 32 inch circular needle (larger sizes may be worked on 47 inch circular needle if desired)
2 US 7/4.5mm DPNs for i-cord tie
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge
Tapestry needle, stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn
GAUGE
22sts /22rows = 4 inches square in stockinette stitch on US 7/4.5mm needles, in the round after blocking. (The needles required to obtain this gauge will be referred to in the pattern as “gauge needle”)
