A Shakerag top in time for Shakerag knitting

 I'm writing this on the way to Modern Daily Knitting's Shakerag Knitting Getaway in Sewanee, TN. That's where I'll wear my new Shakerag top for almost the first time.

 Last year, I stopped at MDK's headquarters on the way home (?) from the Shakerag retreat and bought 3 cones of Ito Kinu, a laceweight silk yarn. I'd seen a sample of this top (maybe even in this color) and thought I'd like a silk Shakerag top. And I think I was right.

I knit this a bit cropped and oversized (though not QUITE as cropped as I'd hoped). I used a tighter gauge than called for in the pattern, so that meant a little recalculation to choose the number of stitches to cast on, etc. I cast on 264 stitches, but ended up with somewhere between a size M and L top. It also meant ordering an extra cone of yarn (which fortuitously was the same dye lot).

The pattern calls for picking up stitches along the armholes and neckline, and then immediately casting them off. This worked OK at the sleeves but I wasn't happy with how my neckline looked with this method. I think the problem was with the way I picked up stitches, not necessarily with the method. Also, I think my edges tended to be a little wonky with this fine yarn. In any case, a single crochet edging worked around the neckline worked fine (and isn't harder than the cast-on/cast-off method - it's just crochet instead of knit). 

I'm happy with this top - I think it will be OK without a cami or tank underneath, and thus will be cool enough for our hot summers. I'll test it out this week in the warm humidity of Tennessee, 

Adding this last photo to show the top beside a euphorbia plant in our garden. The flecks of color in the yarn were so similar to the flowers of this plant.  

Shakerag Top

• designed by Amy Christoffers
• from MDK Field Guide #6, Transparency
• Ito Kinu yarn, 100% silk. 4 cones, 464 yds  each. I only used a little of the cone, so 3 cones is really enough if you are knitting to pattern gauge. Color Lime
• On my Ravelry page here