Thank you for checking out this testing call for the Solskin series! These designs have been in the works for quite a while. I finished the summer top over a year ago, but I never took the time to write down the pattern. After submitting my bachelor’s thesis this summer, I decided it would be cool to knit a matching summer sweater. I knit my sample during my summer break, and after that I had plenty of time to write down the pattern for both the top and the sweater. That’s when the Solskin series was born! Please fill out the form below if you’d like to test the Solskin Top or the Solskin Sweater. The form can be found after all of the info – you’ll have to scroll all the way down to find it.
The Solskin Sweater is an elegant and romantic summer sweater with a beautiful lace edge. The full-length bell sleeves have an identical lace edge. The Solskin Top has the same lace edge, but is designed with the hot summer days in mind. It’s a cropped little top that looks great by itself, but also when paired with a jacket or a cardigan.
Both garments are worked in the round from the bottom up, then divided at the armholes to work front and back separately. The Solskin Top is finished with double knit straps, whereas the Solskin Sweater features a scoop neckline and full length bell sleeves. The sleeves are worked in the round by picking up stitches around the armhole.
Both garments are intended to wear with no ease around the bust. If you prefer wearing your garments with a little more positive or negative ease (0 – 10 cm / 0 – 4″), you’re more than welcome to apply for a size that corresponds to your desired measurements.
SIZES
XS (S, M, L) [XL, 2XL, 3XL] (4XL, 5XL)
GARMENT MEASUREMENTS
Choosing the right size is of utmost importance. Take your body measurements and choose the size that corresponds with them. These garments are intended to be worn with no ease. However, if you prefer wearing your garments with a little more positive or negative ease, you can also opt for 0-10 cm (0-4 inches) of ease to achieve your desired fit. The measurements below are the finished garment measurements, not your own.
Bust:
78, (84, 96, 108) [114, 126, 138] (144, 156) cm / 30¾, (33, 38, 42½) [45, 49½, 54¼] (56¾, 61½)”.
Feel free to send me a message if you need other measurements to determine your size. The pattern includes a full size chart.
MATERIALS
Needles:
4 mm needles (US size 6, UK size 8) or other needle size that matches gauge. I recommend using an 80 cm or 100 cm circular needle for the body. For the Solskin Sweater, you will need a 40 cm circular needle or DPNs for the sleeves. If you decide to use the magic loop method, you can also use a longer circular needle.
Yarn:
For the Solskin Top:
Sport weight or fingering weight yarn, approximately 550, (600, 650, 700) [750, 800, 875] (950, 1000) meters / 600, (655, 710, 765) [820, 875, 960] (1040, 1100) yards.
For the Solskin Sweater:
Sport weight or fingering weight yarn, approximately 1050, (1100, 1150, 1400) [1500, 1650, 1750] (1850, 2000) meters / 1150, (1200, 1260, 1530) [1640, 1805, 1915] (2025, 2190) yards.
For my Solskin sweater sample I used Yarn and Colors Favorite in Vanilla, a 100% cotton yarn which comes in 50g balls à 170 meters / 185 yards. For my Solskin Top (which has the same gauge), I used Made by ME cotton, a 100% cotton yarn which comes in 50g balls à 124 meters / 136 yards. This yarn was available at Action (a discount store-chain) a few years ago, but it’s no longer available. You can use any sport weight or fingering weight yarn that gives you the correct gauge.
Yarn and Colors Favorite – the yarn I used for my Solskin Sweater sample – is a very budget friendly yarn (€2 per skein). It’s available at local stockists and on www.yarnandcolors.com. Other suitable and affordable alternatives include Hobbii Rainbow Cotton and Hobbii Baby Cotton Organic. Yarn support is available for 1 – 2 (plus size) testers for the Solskin Sweater. *UPDATE: YARN SUPPORT HAS BEEN CLAIMED.* Please leave a note with your application if you require yarn support.
Other tools:
Darning needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape, scrap yarn OR extra cable. For the Solskin Sweater, you will also need a 3mm crochet hook.
GAUGE
23 sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 × 4”; on 4 mm needles in seed stitch.
DEADLINE
January 29, 2023.
COMPENSATION
When the pattern will be published, you will receive a free PDF copy of the final pattern once you’ve submitted your photos and feedback and uploaded your project to Ravelry (if accessible for you), PLUS a Chai Crafts pattern of your choice. Unfortunately, I am unable to compensate you for your time or yarn in any other way. You are by no means obligated to use the same yarn. You are free to use any other yarn that matches gauge.
