Pattern Review: Swing by Spring Top
I made mine in...
Size: M
Yarn: 100% cotton DK in colour 17 (Memo's Art House)
Needle size: 4.0mm for stockinette, 2.5mm for ribbing
This was a shirt I made for my Mom! It's a very classic, top-down circular lace yoke top, with slight puff sleeves.
This was my first charted pattern and I loved it. DROPS Design truly has some of the best free patterns out there. I learned a lot about increasing through ribbing and lacework.
Whoever said ribbing can't be done in cotton, is wrong. Some cotton yarns are twisted in a way that make them really squishy and suitable for ribbing! You just have to find the right ones.
However, I had to use my 2.75mm DPNs for the ribbing. It's been a long time since I used DPNS and I just really dislike them. It's definitely worth investing in some smaller circular needles for me. Magic loop > DPNs!!
I modified with shortrows in the back before the ribbing, so that the shirt won't ride up the back. Also modified the hem to a split hem so it won't feel tight around the hips. I learned Jenny's surprisingly stretchy bind off and it made for a truly stretchy bind off, but I dislike the finish of the hem. It's too bulky and obvious for me. I would go with a sewn Italian bind off next time.
I also didn't follow the pattern instructions for decreasing down the body. My mom requested a looser and longer fit, so I just went straight down on the body and even added some stitches at the hem so that the ribbing wouldn't pull in so much.
All in all, this pattern was a breeze to follow and made for a very professional looking finished garment.