Marshmallow Soap!

I just finished my Soap Bubble Wrap (Ravelry link) in the Marshmallow color of Simply Cotton Worsted. It's a pattern from the Spring 2009 issue of Interweave Knits. I liked that it was assymetrical with lace detail at one hip and also spreading out over the opposite shoulder.

The pattern construction was really interesting - you make the kimono-style sleeves by casting on stitches at the armscye until you have enough for the length of the sleeve, and then you keep knitting straight up. This, along with a few short rows, allows you to keep the lace pattern intact at the shoulder. When you finish knitting the fronts and back, you join the top sleeve seam using a three-needle bind off.

I really liked knitting with Simply Cotton - it's a lot softer than a lot of cotton yarns I've worked with, and it has a kind of loft that I found unexpected and pleasant. The pattern suggests knitting it in a sport weight yarn at the same gauge for an airy wrap, and if I knit it again I might try Simply Cotton Sport for a different effect.

I usually wet block my sweaters, but for cotton I like to steam block the garment right on my dress form. The steam opened up the lace pattern and made the bottom hem lay flat, and it also evened out some of the stitches in the stockinette sections.

I did add three rows of single crochet to the bottom hem in order to give it a little more weight and to make it lay flat. I was worried that it flared out too much, but steam blocking transformed it into a gentle ruffle that I like a lot.

Pattern: Soap Bubble Wrap by Connie Change Chinchio (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Simply Cotton Worsted in Marshmallow, 9 balls (for finished 38" bust)
Needles: Options Interchangeable Nickel Needles, US size 7

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of Knitting Community to add comments!

Join this Ning Network

Comment by Teish on June 11, 2009 at 7:33am: Alison, seriously, I absolutely DROOL over everything that you knit! This is on my (excessive) "must knit" list, and I may have to try the simply cotton...

Comment by thepinksheep on June 10, 2009 at 1:15pm: I have to tell you that this pattern didn't appeal to me at all when I first saw it in Interweave. Seeing your version though makes me want to knit this! Lovely!

Comment by Peggy Stuart on June 10, 2009 at 11:55am: What a great sweater! I don't need another white cotton, but maybe in another color. Hmmmmm! --Peggy

Comment by Christy on June 10, 2009 at 7:16am: Beautiful!

Comment by NoKnitSherlock on June 10, 2009 at 7:02am: Gorgeous work Alison!
You always create such beautiful pieces. LOVE!
~Susan

Comment by Alison on June 9, 2009 at 5:54pm: My dress form is actually set at about a size 12 (it's sized for me!).

Comment by Puffy Griffinclaw on June 9, 2009 at 4:14pm: The pattern is lovely and I'm amazed at how perfectly even your tension is, as cotton tends to be somewhat unforgiving when I knit it, coming out nice in some areas and blotchy or lumpy in others (I know, I should get serene knitting swatches of something else, and once serenity rules, switch to cotton).

I would like to see this modeled on someone who is at least a size 12, though. I will have to look in Ravelry to see if there are any pictures of it on a person (preferably bigger than Twiggy). The lines look like they would be slimming, but any article of clothing with the word "bubble" in the name gives me pause, I don't need help looking like a rounded bubble!

Comment by palsknitto on June 9, 2009 at 1:29pm: Beautiful, just love all the details, love how you picked up the stitches along the neckline, Irene

Comment by cellogirl on June 9, 2009 at 1:08pm: Georgeous sweater--great job of knitting--will make a perfect wrap for theater?? or concert???Congratulations on another inspiring project!!