I give you… Glee!
It’s done! It goes with things in my closet! Pardon the strange facial expressions… this was not our most successful photoshoot. But as you can see, Glee is a success: shapely but not too snug, so I can still wear something under it (Garnstudio Silke-Tweed is definitely less prickly after a wash, and I did wear this top throughout the evening against my skin with no discomfort, but you can tell it’s half wool), easy to introduce into an outfit, and relatively fetching, if I say so myself. Mr. Garter digs the peek-a-boo hook & eye closures. But look:
This is me smirking because even at this angle, Glee can hold down a PG rating. Three cheers for short rows! I’ll wear a camisole under it when it comes to work with me — elementary schoolers tend to be eye-level with whatever there is to see in this department, and I don’t want to warp any tender young minds — but it’s modest enough to go out among adults with no underlayer.
Just the facts, ma’am:
All of five balls Garnstudio Drops Design Silke-Tweed
US #3 needles
Modifications: longer sleeves (I was going for elbow length, but ran out of yarn a little short), short rows across the bust and a few across the back, lots of added waist shaping, got lazy about reading the pattern and worked the hem to match the sleeve and neckline rib instead of doing the deeper ribbing suggested.
Complaints? I firmly believe that any pattern written to fit close to a woman’s body, as the photos on the Glee pattern sleeve and website would suggest, ought to decrease a minimum of 2″ either side at the waist. If you’re one of the rare women this wouldn’t flatter, it couldn’t be easier to eliminate the decreases and keep knitting straight. But most of us want a cute top, not a gunny sack, and no matter what our proportions, we tend to be a little smaller in the middle than at the bust and hips. This is such a straightforward pattern that it ought to be a dandy choice for beginners, except that beginners are far less likely to go off-book and modify a design to fit their bodies better. I really think the designers could have taken the extra step to suggest a little waist shaping. But other than that, this picture best sums up how I feel about Glee:
And it goes perfectly with this:
It’s my swanky new little handbag from Tortilla Girl! Tortilla Girl is, of course, none other than the inimitable Becky — I had to get in on the ground floor of her design career, because she’s going to knock the French fashion world into next week. Thanks, Becky — this little number rocks!
Posted: May 26th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
It looks fantastic! My favorite glee so far.
Posted: May 26th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
So pretty! What a fantastic top on you. I see you wearing this many times.
Posted: May 26th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
I am feeling very covetous at the moment. I mean, good job! Glee’s perfect (with your mods). 🙂
Posted: May 27th, 2007 at 12:15 am
You’re so pretty in that top! It really looks fabulous on you. And I’m sooooooooo flattered that you like my bag enough to show it off on your blog. Makes my heart sing 🙂
Posted: May 27th, 2007 at 3:35 am
very cute! nice job!
Posted: May 27th, 2007 at 5:34 am
it looks great!
Posted: May 27th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Too cute! That is one flattering sweater.
Posted: May 27th, 2007 at 11:40 am
You look fabulous with your Glee sweater and springy skirt! This is definitely a success story. 🙂
Posted: May 27th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Really too cute!
Posted: May 27th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Your Glee is so cute! I would have made the same modifications. Your lucky to have such a nice bag!
Posted: May 28th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I love it! It came out perfectly–no surprise. And I like the shorter sleeve length.
Posted: May 29th, 2007 at 2:58 am
very beautiful on you. but wouldn’t everything be that. and a lovely knit.
Posted: May 29th, 2007 at 4:47 am
that came out so cute!!! the color and subtle tweediness is wonderful!
Posted: May 29th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Va-va-voom! whatever you did to it, you did it right. That’s one gorgeous Glee. You look so happy!
Posted: May 29th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Amazing top – and you managed the PG rating – well done.
Posted: May 29th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
gorgeous! i will be adding in shaping on my glee as i love the fitted effect it gave you. job well done!
Posted: May 30th, 2007 at 4:57 am
oh, it’s lovely! and where do you live? france? those poppies remind me of a monet painting. beautiful.
Posted: May 30th, 2007 at 5:43 am
What a beautiful sweater – you could wear it every day!
Posted: May 30th, 2007 at 8:35 am
Glee is adorable!
Posted: May 30th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Glee is lovely, but it’s those poppies that are knocking me out…
Posted: May 30th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Glee looks wonderful on you, and I love how it matches that new bag too.
Posted: May 31st, 2007 at 4:26 am
SUCH a pretty top. Cool clutch, too.
Posted: May 31st, 2007 at 6:33 am
What a great top! The perfect piece to dress up or down. Your Becky Bag is absolutely gorgeous too – and a perfect match no less! 🙂
Posted: May 31st, 2007 at 8:50 am
It looks beautiful on you, and perfect with your skirt and new bag!
Posted: May 31st, 2007 at 10:57 am
Wow – glee is totally gorgeous! Really beautiful. Love the texture and depth that the silke-tweed gives it.
Posted: May 31st, 2007 at 11:20 am
Your Glee is just lovely! I like it with the longer sleeves- really pretty.
Posted: May 31st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
that sweater looks just perfect on you. it goes wonderfully with your skirt. nicejob! 🙂
Posted: June 3rd, 2007 at 8:32 am
Silk Top? What’s that?…
Just kidding. But just in case you forgot about my Silk Top, I’ll show you the meager rounds I managed……
Posted: June 4th, 2007 at 6:17 am
Sarah, your Glee is gorgeous!! Love it in tweed.