Nettie + a Speckled Hat

Hellooo and welcome to the photoshoot in which all my skin looks sunburned.

Here's an original statement: The Nettie pattern from Closet Case Files rocks. Just kidding. Anyone who has used this pattern has said so, I just figured it was worth saying again. 

I made this long-sleeved shirt version of the Nettie out of a heavenly organic bamboo/spandex blend. Actually possibly it was lycra...I can't remember. Anyhow I bought it when I was in Toronto, ended up with about 5 meters because it was the end of the roll, and then carried it around downtown for 4 hours in the middle of August. Note to self, next time make the fabric store the last stop, not the first. The whole ordeal was worth it though because this stuff feels like suede and butter spread over a baby's bum. Which is to say it's extremely soft.

Pattern-wise I cut a size 4 graded to a size 6 around the waist and hips. Other modifications were:
-add 1.5 inches to the sleeves
-add 3.5 inches to the body (just right off the bottom. I remembered mid-construction there had been         lengthen/shorten lines)
-add about 3/8" around the whole neck
-at the same time drop the back neck 1/2 an inch
-and I used a seam allowance closer to 1/4" rather than 3/8"
The only problem remaining with the fit is that sometimes after moving around the back shoulders slide off a bit as though it is too small while at the same time becoming a bit baggy as though it is too big. I'm still a newbie fit-wise, so if you have any suggestions I am all ears :)

I just love the low back of this pattern, it is flattering and also gives a little 'ooh lala' to a plain shirt. I'm trying to talk myself out of making the exact same shirt with the leftover fabric (days of the week nettie's?) Don't be surprised if you see a version with 3/4 sleeves and the very low back-different but not different?

The second project finished on my list of fall yarn plans is this hat. It is the Speckled Hat pattern from Frolic and it is super adorable and easy and knits up super quick and is soft and...you get the idea. I made this hat a couple of years ago for a friend and it was on the short side; the only way it would stay on was with bobby pins. I wanted mine to stay on and cover my ears, so the only modification I made was to add an extra 6 rows of the colourwork pattern.

Long story short, I'm super pleased about both these guys. Thanks for reading!