the blue blog archives: rosebud mods

Anyone out there thinking about knitting Rosebud, I've got a few new ideas for you.

Yarn: I'll be making a tank myself sometime this summer (for the Belly Time Knitalong). I haven't decided what yarn I'll use - not quite sure about wool/cotton for real summerwear. On my list of possible substitutes are Dale Svale, Rowan Cotton Glace, Patons Grace. You all have any other ideas?

Edging: I'm thinking of doing a picot, flower or bobble edge at the bottom to add a little something special to the tank (gotta make up for the loss of those lovely sleeves!).

Waist: And another nice feminine addition would be a drawstring tie slipped through an eyelet round in the ribbing under the bust (see instructions below), that could be tied to make a little bow in front.

Pattern Change: Remember to shorten the armholes about half an inch. That should keep the bra line nicely covered.

Edging: First, I'd probably change the rolled stockinette edging to garter or seed stitch (6 rows maybe), so that you're not losing any length there. You could do matching garter/seed stitch on the sleeves as well.

Pattern Change: You might also consider knitting the first three inches of the front and back separately, joining to knit in the round afterwards, so that there are side slits giving you even more room to grow. I'd do the edges of those panels (first and last 5 stitches perhaps) in a matching garter/seed stitch as well, so they lay nice and flat.

Pattern Change: Maternity tops often have a curved front panel to compensate for that round belly requiring more fabric in the middle than on the sides. You could accomplish this by doing short rows on the front half. You can do this even if you haven't separated the front and back sections.

I'd recommend knitting your edging and then one more round/row, then beginning the short rows by knitting 3/4 of the stitches of the front (= 76[80, 84, 88, 92] stitches), wrapping the next stitch and turning. (If you've never done short rows before, check out the short row primer in Knitty or the tutorial at Borealis Sweaterscapes). Next row: Purl one half of your stitches for the front (= 50[54, 56, 58, 60] stitches), wrap the next stitch and turn. Next row: Knit to the wrapped stitch, knit stitch and its wrap together, knit another three stitches, wrap the next stitch and turn. Next row: Purl to the wrapped stitch, purl stitch and its wrap together, purl another three stitches, wrap the next stitch and turn. Continue in this manner, knitting or purling four more stitches (the wrapped stitch plus the three following it) each row until you have reincorporated all the front stitches. Then follow pattern normally.

Waist: A drawstring tie would also be a nice touch here, keeping the top of the top sitting nicely over your bust and not stretched out over your belly. Do an eyelet round on the third round of your ribbing (*K2tog, yo* around). Crochet a chain about 12"-18" longer than needed to go around your torso. Slip the tie through the eyelet round and tie with a bow in back.

All these changes are also posted on my free pattern page. Contact me if you have any questions about these suggestions or the pattern in general. Happy knitting!

posted by alison at 8:43 am | in free patterns

Comments

have you thought about valeria di roma topacio? awesome color selection and the cotton/acrylic blend gives it a wonderful hand.

have you seen a svale sample yet? i saw one this weekend and was surprised at how heavy the garment was. it was a short top with cap sleeves so it didn't use a ton of yarn. just thought i'd mention it because it took me by surprise.

grace - i've heard some horror stories about it so i've been avoiding it. i do love the gauge and the price can't be beat, but it seems like it's a tough knit.

Posted by: jody at April 22, 2004 10:05 AM

Some good tips there Alison, I like the idea of making a maternity tank Rosebud.. Wonder what I have in my stash that I could use. Off to search through now!

Posted by: kerrie at April 22, 2004 10:08 AM

Just re-read through the pattern and couldn't help but think that this sweater would be a plus sized girls dream. For a pear shaped girl, you could increase the cast-on for the bottom and decrease your way to the bust line. May have to add this to my winter wish list.

Posted by: Amy at April 22, 2004 10:08 AM

Thanks for the maternity modifications! I'll be casting on tonight! :)

Posted by: Sarah at April 22, 2004 10:44 AM

Oh I am so with you on this one!!!! I'd love to make the Rosebud Tank!!! are you goin to do an Along? in any case ... I'm with you :) just have to figure out if I have enough of anything ... Svale sounds like the choice for me :)

Posted by: Carissa at April 22, 2004 11:52 AM

These are so helpful, Alison. Thanks! I especially like adding the slits on the sides of the sweater. I think I'm going to do that for my Rosebud!

Posted by: Stacy at April 22, 2004 1:11 PM

You could try Sirdar Breeze for the tank, I'm planning to knit the Shapely Tank from that. It's a cotton/acrylic blend, not exactly out in the US yet, but Canada has it, some nice pastel colors too.

Posted by: Ali at April 22, 2004 2:49 PM

Great info on yarn substitutions, everyone. Thanks! I like the feel of Svale swatches that I've seen and was really leaning towards that yarn for my tank. I'm surprised to hear that you thought it was heavy, Jody. I'll have to check it out again.

Carissa, Stacy's Belly Time Knit/Crochet-Along is really a Rosebud and friends knitalong. She didn't want to limit it to just Rosebud. So join us!

Amy, maybe you could give me a little help with re-shaping and I can work up a larger sized version of Rosebud?

Posted by: alison at April 22, 2004 2:59 PM

Oooh, thank you for the tank modifications! I adore the neckline of the Rosebud, and I can't wait to make it.

About Paton's Grace...I have a love/hate relationship with it. Nothing could be sweeter in the skein in beautiful colors... but it's a demon to knit with. Just when you think, "I'm never knitting with this STRING again!" you finish and block it, and it blocks up ever so soft and sweet.

I have a bunch of balls I bought to make the #9 lacy cardigan from the spring/summer Vogue Knitting mag. But that pattern has a mistake in the size I need and it totally defeated me. So I may make the Rosebud tank out of it.

Posted by: Liz at April 22, 2004 3:18 PM

Thanks Alison! I still haven't found yarn to use for my Rosebud tank but I'm going to check out some of the ones mentioned here. And I had thought maybe I'd do a tank for the summer (which should fit my preggers belly okay) and then add the sleeves in the winter but maybe I'll both do a tank and a sweater. I like the modifications you've suggested and will definately consider them. I may be a little late to the Belly Along but I *will* be there.

Posted by: peggy at April 22, 2004 4:47 PM

I agree with Amy, I think it would be a plus size girls dream. I am just on the border line of plus size and I really like the design of this top and especially in a tank.

For yarn ideas how about Classic Elite Premier Cotton.

Posted by: Cathy at April 22, 2004 5:07 PM

Bamboo!!! I have some bamboo yarn that I am thinking of using for a tank (first I have to dye it). According to what I have read about bamboo, it is cooler than cotton. Lovely silky look/feel.

Posted by: allyson at April 23, 2004 12:57 PM