The Newbury top is back, baby. This lovely pattern, designed by Amy Palmer for Berroco, just really lit a fire in me, I guess.
I’m not normally a sleeveless top person (as evidenced by my extremely obvious farmer tan), but these silky tank tops are just too good. And what’s that?
A fancy-pants border? Since I can’t simply knit a pattern as written? Yes!
This border comes from Hitomi Shida’s Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible, a fantastic addition to any knitter’s library, especially those who can’t just allow rolled stockinette borders to occur. This is pattern #230, tweaked a tiny bit in the stockinette sections to fit the proper stitch count.
I feel like it jazzes it up just enough. It mimics the diagonal lines of the upper back lace panel so that it looks harmonious, but not too matchy-matchy.
Or maybe I’m just full of crap and wanted to do something different for no good reason.
Also, no boob stripe! I diligently switched colors every row to avoid my previous hubris-filled mistake. And I am proud.
Sadly, tragically, and non-surprisingly, Berroco Mantra Stonewash, the wonderfully drapey silk yarn used here (color 4498 Earth), is fucking discontinued. I do not understand how this keeps happening to almost every single yarn that I fall in love with, but I guess that’s just life.
I did manage to get an order in for one more colorway (4497 Mountain) before the supply seemingly dried up everywhere, but I am desperate to finish this silly nonsense pledge that I made. So, if anyone can find 4 balls of color 4495 Cloud or 4499 River (especially this one, it’s gorgeous!), please drop me a line! Before anyone suggests Ravelry, there’s tons stashed, but no one’s got it listed for sale, probably because they also know that it is such beautiful stuff that they should never let go of it.
It’s just the perfect top to endure the crazy whipping wind on the Pontchartrain Lakefront in, don’t you think?
jingersnaps 