Rota Sleeveless Top

 

Pattern

Originally planned as a summer knit, my Rota Sleeveless Top is transitioning perfectly into fall and winter. The pattern is by Irene Lin, and this is the first pattern I've knit from this designer. I really love how this top could be both a summery or wintry pattern. 

You can find my Ravelry project page here. 

Yarn

I knit this version in Blue Sky Fibers Organic Cotton (Worsted) in the color "Sleet". This yarn is so beautiful and I think it pairs really well with this pattern for a more fall/wintry vest -- my gauge is a little larger than called for, and resulting fabric is actually quite heavy and has some warmth.  I think this pattern on a finer yarn would also make a lovely pure summer top.  I stuck with the US Size 6/US Size 4 needles as called for in the pattern. 

Knitting

The instructions for the pattern were some of the clearest I've seen. Though there is no chart, the very detailed row by row instructions made it so I actually made zero (0!!) mistakes while knitting. I also put it down many times and I was able to pick right back up where I left off. That alone made this such a pleasant knitting experience. I knit a size 2 and did the regular length version. There is also a cropped and long version. 

My only gripe is that this yarn combination actually got quite heavy toward the end. I also found all the small cabling a little tedious, but that's personal preference and nothing to do with the pattern itself. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, I really love this outcome. I haven't been much of a sweater vest person in the past but I'm thinking I'd like to become one :) I've already found this one pretty easy to wear.  I'm also wearing a new pair of fresh-off-the-machine Pomona Pants (tapered version). You can read more about this sewing pattern here.