Featured POTM

POTM Marsh Top in Criative DK

Nothing says spring more than tulips! This month staff member Sarah knit up this gorgeous lace-knit top– Marsh by Amy Palmer in the soft and light EYB Criative DK.

marsh back
Back of Marsh top

About the Pattern

Marsh is a variation on another free pattern, Mallow, a tulip top meant for colder weather. While Mallow is meant for long-sleeved weather, Marsh features simple cap sleeves and a plain stockinette front, while the back features an almost full-body lace pattern. Knit in a DK, it’s a quick knit for some spring time fun!

While the pattern is written to be knit flat, Sarah adjusted and knit it in-the-round until the arm split. She also modified a larger arm hole by adding an extra inch of rows.

Marsh by amy palmer
Front of Marsh top

Techniques

This pattern calls for nearly a full body of lace! Sarah said that it was a bit tricky reading the lace chart at first, but as she knit on, the chart had a consistent flow to it. Here are some tips that will help your lace knitting be a breeze:

  • Use stitch markers! Locking stitch markers are great to denote the start of a chart motif or just the number of stitches on your needles. Good organization keeps lace on track.
  • Count your stitches after every row (or between each stitch marker). This will help avoid mistakes down the line as fixing lace mistakes is quite a task.
  • Use a knitting “lifeline” in case you do mess up. Simply thread a long piece of spare yarn with a wool or tapestry needle through every stitch on one row. That way, you can unravel back to a lifeline with no worries. It saves from starting over completely!

This pattern uses a lace chart instruction sheet. Not sure how to read charts? Check out this super helpful video from Berroco Yarn.

About the Yarn

EYB Criative is a cotton, alpaca, and modal blended DK-weight yarn. We just love this yarn for a spring-time knit because you get all the qualities of cotton with the softness of alpaca!

You might be asking “What is modal?”

Modal is derived predominantly from beech tree pulp, but it can also be sourced from bamboo and pine tree. It is growing to be one of the softest plant fibres in the market, and is now commonly found in bedsheets and bath robes.

In a blend, modal offers great durability (antipilling), colorfastness (similar to cotton) and moisture wicking properties.

As for its name, a “cria” is the name for a baby camelid such as a llama, alpaca, vicuna, or guanaco. It comes from the Spanish word cria, meaning “baby”.  

Fibres:  40% Alpaca / 30% Cotton/ 30% Modal 
Knitting Gauge:  21-24 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm)
Needles:  3.75 – -4.5 mm (US 5 – 7)
Crochet Gauge: 12-17 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm)
Hook: US 7-I/9 (4.5 – 5.5mm)
Weight:  DK (3)
Length:  100 g / 260yards (238m)

11 WPI. Criative is suited for rigid heddle weaving. The alpaca provides the soft hand and the cotton and modal impart strength and durability to the strand.

Machine wash on gentle cycle in cool water. Lay flat to dry.

Made in Peru.

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