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I am a sewing addict, but I always have at least one knitting or crochet project in the works. I find it a fantastic way to relax and also to bring along with me to work on when I’m not home.
Last summer’s project was Gemini, a free knit tee pattern by Jane Richmond.
This gorgeous summer top is worked top down in one piece (as much as I love sewing, I hate sewing together knit pieces!). It features lovely lace work on three sides of the neckline. The top can be worn with the lace facing front or back, giving it two very different looks, hence then name “Gemini.” (Which is incidentally also my sign!)
This is a deceptively easy project and, as it is worked in the round and the whole body is just a simple stockinette stitch, it was pretty fast to work up. It’s super comfortable and, even though it is a free pattern, the instructions were perfect and very clear.
Let me tell you a little more about this free knit tee pattern!
I actually started this project when I was in the hospital last May. I’d bought the yarn for another project, but soon realized that it wouldn’t work well. So, the night before heading to the hospital, having already finished my Just Peachy crochet tank top while stuck in bed for weeks and not having anything to work on, I looked around Ravelry for a good project for this 50% cotton 50% linen “Ibisco” yarn by Cucirini Cantoni Coats. I couldn’t believe it when I found Gemini, which used the same exact blend and weight yarn! So I printed up the pattern and stuck it in my hospital bag with my knitting needles.
I spent a good part of the summer laying in bed getting my energy back, and the stockinette body of this top was so simple to work on that I was able to watch loads of movies and both seasons of Twin Peaks while knitting, barely having to look at what I was doing.
Here you can see the two shoulders and one side with the lace work.
And here it is seen from the other, more plain, side.
The concept behind this design is that you can wear the lace side facing front for a fancier look, or facing back for a more casual look, with a fun hidden surprise at the back. I personally prefer to show off the lace in the front, but I love having that versatility.
While working on this top, I quite honestly got worried that the neckline would never stop rolling. The sleeves and bottom have ribbing to keep them flat, but the neck doesn’t.
So it’s absolutely necessary to block this top. This was the first time that I used T-pins for blocking the neckline to make sure that it would dry completely flat.
I’ll admit that I had my doubts that blocking would work, but it came out perfectly! What joy!
Which do you prefer, the “fancy” look as shown above…
…or the “casual” look here?
You can download this free knit tee pattern here on Ravelry, and find more of the technical details of my Gemini in my Ravelry notebook.
If you love to knit summer tops, but maybe you want something you can really personalize, make sure you check out this post about the Basico knit sweater recipe! Have you ever used a knitting recipe? It’s not the same thing as a pattern. Click to find out how they’re different!
And of course, remember to Pin this post if you love great knitting ideas!
Beautiful sweater and it looks great on you!
Thank you, Linda! There are a lot of free patterns out there, but it’s rare to find such a pretty and well-thought-out one like this!
I love this tee! It’s beautiful, and very flattering. I am a crocheter learning to knit, but being that blocking is a must, I don’t think I will be adding this one to my list of projects as I run from blocking, lol. I love it though – came out lovely!
Alexandra, I have also always run terrified from blocking. This was the first time that I’d ever done blocking beyond just laying the garment out flat more or less in the right shape. I was nervous about it, but it was so easy to do! Do give it a try, because you might be surprised!
I’m embarrassed to say I couldn’t knit this beautiful sweater. I tried and tried and never got past row 5 without seeing an error a few rows back. I ripped it out to almost the beginning so many times I nearly ruined the yarn. I chose a100% linen and it separated into threads very badly. Your yarn looks thicker than mine too. I started over so many times, taking extra time to get it right. Some day with a different yarn, I will try again.
Oh no! That’s so strange because I am far from being an expert knitter, yet I didn’t have any problems with the pattern. I wonder if using 100% linen yarn made it more difficult, at least as far as the separating is concerned. My yarn was half linen and half cotton. Do try again! Perhaps it’ll go better after taking a break from it!
I cannot get the stitch count correct on row 3. It says an 8 stitch increase. That is not what I’m getting!! I continued knitting but when I got to row 7, it was obvious there is a mistake with the directions. Please help!!
Sorry, Marsha, but I can’t help you. You can contact the designer of this pattern and I’m sure that she can help you. Just click the link to go to her website and there will be contact information there. Good luck!