Ritual Dyes x Jessie Maed Designs Summer Solstice Outline Tee Kit

I bought this kit when it was first released over the summer; and I started working on it immediately but because it's meant to have 6-12" of ease and I made it longer and less cropped than the actual pattern, it took me FOREVER to finish.  I worked on it on and off all summer and fall and now it's (nearly winter and I'm) finally finished.  Jessie Mae Martinson's patterns have received so much positive feedback from other knitters, that I was really anxious to try one out for myself and I was not let down.

                   

One of things that is so magical about knitting (with cotton) is that before the fabric is blocked, it looks like a wrinkly piece of garbage but once it's bathed and dried, it immediately transforms.

 

The photo above (on the left) is pre-bocking.  The photos below are post-blocking.

I knit size 1XL and used size 3 and 4 needles (1 size down from the pattern) and when I was knitting flat, I used size 3 needles because I purl so loosely.

 

The kit comes with 4 hanks of Ritual Dyes Undine in the Summer Peach colorway.  I used less than 3 hanks to knit my top.  So it looks like there's a pair of matching socks on the horizon. 

 

Generally speaking, I'm not really a fan of cotton because I don't like the way it feels in between my fingers while knitting (and/or crocheting) but this yarn is really fluffy and light and I didn't really mind knitting with it at all (especially during the summer).

 

I knit this with the intention that I would be making a large boxy top that I could easily throw over a swim suit, sports bra or tunic and that is exactly what I got with zero mods, pain or sorrow.

It is so exhilarating to drop all of the stitches to create the framed edges around the top!

This pattern was very well written and easy to understand.

 

I am all about the twisted rib on the hem and sleeve cuffs.

 

I've been following the hashtag for this pattern on IG and I also like the look of some of the snugger fitting versions that have been made and I am now inspired to knit one in size M with some variegated SWM sock yarn. I highly recommend this pattern if you're looking for a fun and mindless mobile project.  Unfortunately the kits are already sold out but the pattern is available on Ravelry and Undine yarn can be purchased directly from Ritual Dyes.