Beauty School Tops in Pink and Blue (Poisongrrls Pattern)

Earlier this year, I test-knitted the Beauty School Top and matching Beauty School Turban patterns for Amy Appel (@poisongrrls). It was not my first time test knitting for Amy but these patterns turned out to be my favourite designs by her so far.The sweater has a basic design that is full of possibilities and has an amazing fit for a 1950's style silhouette. It's a definite staple for any handmade vintage style loving lady.When I did the test knitting, I chose a cotton blend yarn in baby pink because I wanted a colour that would go with my Country Garden skirt and Country Garden dress, and a fibre that would be suitable for this tropical climate. When I did a swatch of the yarn, I felt that the yarn seemed to be like lighter than the fingering weight that the pattern called for, so I ended up having to use small needles (i.e. 3.00mm instead of 3.25mm). To ensure a safer fit, I also decided to add stitches to the circumference of the sweater.The sweater turned out to be such a dream, I wanted to make another one in a different colour. So, I decided to make one in powder blue as a birthday present for my friend! As I am practically incapable of making the SAME thing twice within the same year, I decided to change it up and made some modifications to the pattern the second time round. Also, my tension seemed to have loosened up a little this time round so I used the required 3.25mm needles. Moral of the story: swatching is important and test-knitting is fun but stressful.Can you spot the differences?

At a glance…

Project link on Ravelry: Baby Pink version & Powder Blue versionPattern: Beauty School Top by Amy Appel (aka @poisongrrls) [link]BABY PINK VERSIONYarn: Hamanaka Sea Queen Shine Cotton "Lamé" in baby pink (with shiny metallic strand)Modifications:

• Needles: Used 3.00mm needles instead of 3.25mm to make the stitches denser
• Chest size: Sneaked in 4 stitches in total across the chest (2 at the front and 2 at the back when casting on extra stitches to join the shoulders pieces) as I was aware that cotton could have less stretch
• Length: Added 10 more rounds of knitting at the bottom to make the sweater longer

POWDER BLUE VERSIONYarn: Hamanaka Sea Queen Shine Cotton in powder blue (aka no metallic strand)Modifications:

• Sleeves: 12 rounds of ribbing instead of 6
• Neckband: 5 rounds ribbing with smaller needles, 5 rounds ribbing with larger needles

Obviously, I am wearing my good bra in these photos to achieve the 1950's style silhouette. These sweaters are sure snug! For anyone who is not a fan of snug, cropped tops, I will suggested making it wider by casting on more stitches when joining the back and front together, and longer by knitting more rounds between each decrease from bust through the waist to the hem.Do you have this pattern on your queue or have you also made one? Let me know what you think about my pastel versions of the Beauty School Top!  xx