Navelli Tee
This is the summer of colourwork by Boyland Knitworks. And I don’t see how this will ever end. My Instagram feed keep showing me an upcoming pattern with the most wonderful colourwork yoke… Looking at you #ghosthorsessweater
But this post was not about that. This is to be about that Navelli Tee we have all been casting on this summer. So here goes!
Pattern: Navelli
Designer: Caitlin Hunter
Yarn: Milburn 4 ply, Eden Cottage Yarns
Colourway: Black Tulip (MC), Charcoal (CC1) and Rain (CC2)
Fibre choices
I knew I wanted this top to have some flattering drape. A boxy cropped tee is not very flattering if the front section sticks out on account of the wool being too lofty. That was the whole reason for me frogging the beautiful (but unwearable) cabled Ondawa Pullover. Choice of fibre really is key for that. Although linen and cotton are the go-to fibres in summer months I don’t enjoy them as much for colourwork patterns. Too much stitch definition can be distracting i find, and I prefer them for lace and textured knits. My choice fell on a nice and basic Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) and silk blend yarn - Milburn 4 ply from Eden Cottage Yarns. Both fibres would give me nice drape and wonderful lustre plus the BFL brings some of that woolly grabbiness that you want for colourwork along as well. An addend benefit to this blend is that it will be really strong ang wearable for years to come.
When casting on for this project i was determined to get gauge right for once. Even if i love Boyland Knitworks patterns I clearly have a much tighter style of knitting than Caitlin …I got it almost right this time. In the end I went for a tighter gauge simply because the yarn-choice I had made called for it. Milburn 4 ply is a fairly light fingering-weight that is worsted spun (and therefore smoother than the woollen spun I typically use for colourwork). But the top ended up with a nice loose fit and a good density and drape to the fabric. So I’m putting off my hunt for gauge a while longer.
Alterations made
Tiny bit longer hem to make up for a slightly tighter gauge.
Longer body for a longer torso, i like a cropped fit to graze my hip bone.
Did one purl row before changing to contrast colour on the sleeve to get a neat fold edge.
