My third Ankers Sommerbluse (Ankers Summer Shirt) by PetiteKnit is finished and it has been a lovely top to wear this summer. While my handknitted wardrobe primarily consists of wool and wool blends, I like having a few summertime knits that are in rotation during the warmer months. I have been slowly adding summer pieces by knitting one or two warm weather friendly garments each year. #nevernotknitting 😀
I pretty much knit this shirt exactly like I did my second Ankers. The only difference was the yarn I used – Sandnes Garn Line – which is a blend of cotton, viscose and linen. I experienced some wrist and arm fatigue while knitting with this yarn and couldn’t knit for long stretches of time. It is so important for makers to listen to our bodies and take care of our hands! The breaks really helped and I was able to finish this top before the July long weekend.
I knit the size medium and worked short rows after the yoke to raise up the back neck. The original pattern does not have short rows. Another change I made was to knit the yoke with half twisted rib where all the knit stitches are twisted and the purls are knit normally. I think this makes the yoke look really crisp. I mimicked this style of rib for the sleeve cuffs and bottom hem too.
The fabric of this top is really lovely and cool against the skin. I usually handwash my knits, but I threw this one with the regular laundry, and it has held up nicely.
Another summer top crossed off my knitting list and now it’s back to knitting with merino – my happy place 🙂
Ankers Summer Shirt III
Pattern: Anker’s Summer Shirt by PetiteKnit
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Line in “4361 Light Aubergine″
Needles: Sizes US 6 & 7 / 4 & 4.5 mm
