monica brown

Sweet Roses Tank Top

This sweet little tank top is for the special little girl in your life.  Scalloped edges with easy to embroider roses make this garment one of a kind.  The smocking stitch in the bodice is simple, and gives an updated look to old fashioned smocking.  It is simple to knit with two body pieces and two small flutter sleeves.   This pattern is a Decidedly Hilltop pattern from the Hilltop Yarn Store. 

Yarn: Brown Sheep Company, Cotton Fleece, 80% Cotton, 20% Merino Wool, 215 yards/197 meters, 3.5 oz (100 grams)

MC : CW-100 Cotton Ball, 1 ball for Size 6 months to 1 year, 2 balls for other sizes (exactly 2 balls for size 4)

CC1: Moss Green, 1 ball for all sizes

CC2: CW230, Victorian Pink, 1 ball for all sizes

Sizes: 6 months-1 year, 2-3 years and 4-6 years

Finished Measurements:

Bust: 21 (23, 25)”

Length (including straps): 11 (13.5 15)”

Circumference at Bottom Edge: 26 (30, 36)”

Gauge: In St st: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4"

This Hilltop Yarn Store pattern is available using PayPal for $3.  To order, click the "Buy Now" button below and the pattern will be emailed to you after purchase.

Additional photos can be found on Flickr here.

Mountain Goat Gathered Tunic

Knitted garments that cover your lower half always make me a bit nervous.  But the blend of mohair and wool is perfect for this tunic.  The mohair keeps it from stretching out too much when you sit in it.  The clean simple lines of this tunic are quite slimming.  In addition, the slight gathering above the bust line gives the tunic some visual interest.    This tunic is simple to knit with little shaping.  I also think this tunic would be beautiful for a summer garment in a cotton yarn.

Yarn: Mountain Goat Mountain Colors, 100 gram balls each 230 yd/251 m   (mohair/wool) 

4 (5, 6) in color burgundy

Needle:   US 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to get gauge and one similar sized needle for 3-Needle BO

Crochet Hook: H (5 mm)

Gauge: 18 sts and 25 rows to 4”/2.5 cm in St st 

Sizes
S (M, L)

Finished Measurements
Bust = 34 (38, 42)”/85 (95,105) cm
Total Length = 31 (32, 33)”/77.5 (80, 82.5) cm
Hip = 37 (41.5, 46)”/92.5 (103.75, 115) cm

This pattern is available from Hilltop Yarn Store.

Cotonade Wrap

I liked this cropped sweater so much that I knit two of them! It is really versatile! You can wear it pinned in the front as a wrap.  Or you can leave it open in the front and it becomes a swingy cardigan!  The construction of this sweater is a bit unique, which makes it fun to knit.  It is knit in two pieces.  The lower body is a rectangle from the bottom edge up to the armholes.  The upper body is knit from one sleeve across the back to the second sleeve.  The collar is knit after the two pieces have been sewn together. 

Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too Cotonade, 50 g balls, approximately 83 yd/ 76 m (cotton)

6 (7, 7, 8, 10) balls in color #648 (Teal)

Needle: US #8 or 5.0 mm needles (plus one extra for 3–Needle Bind-Off) or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: 16 sts and 23 rows to  4”/10cm in Stockinette Stitch 

Sizes:
XXS, (XS, S, M, L)

Finished Measurements:
Length: 13.5 (15, 16.5, 18.5, 20.5)”/33.75 (37.5, 41.3, 46.3, 51.3) cm
Bust Circumference (worn without fronts meeting at bust):  26 (30, 34, 38, 42)” / 65 (75, 85, 95,105) cm

This pattern is available using PayPal for $5.  To order, click the "Buy Now" button below and the pattern will be emailed to you after purchase.

Lace Stitch Vest

I loved knitting this vest because you basically knit two simple lace panels and then add a waistband! You begin the lace panel at the front, working over the shoulders to the back.   You create “faux” sleeves by casting on and binding off one pattern repeat.  Seaming the pieces at the center back creates a slight opening at the back neck and an open V-neck in the front. After you have completed both panels, you pick up stitches on the lace panel edges to create a waistband.   The only finishing for this project is to sew three seams and weave in your ends!

Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic, 50g balls, each 153 yd/140 m (lambswool/kid mohair/nylon)

4 (4, 5) balls in color #844 (Frilly)

Needle: US 10/6.0mm or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 14 sts and 22 rows to 4”/10cm in Stockinette Stitch

Sizes: S (M, L)

Finished Bust Measurements: 41 (49, 57)” /102.5 (122.5, 142.5) cm

The fit of this sweater is relaxed and loose more like a wrap.  The measurements are fairly generous to give the sweater the correct drape.

This pattern is available from Hilltop Yarn Store.