Shakerag Top Question

I have a question and want to see if anyone else found this or am I just anticipating trouble? I am making the shakerag top in a large using the Rowan Summerlite yarn. I bought as indicated 4 skeins of each color. I am thinking I will run out of the yarn that I double, I an wondering if anyone else has had the issue, did you run out of yarn and should I just purchase two more skeins now. My gauge is correct. Thanks

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Hmm. I’m a little confused. You say that you bought “4 skeins of each color” but for the size large you only need four skeins of one of the colors. I know this doesn’t answer your question but I’m trying to get clear on what your plan is for the color of the top. And now that I think about it, there have been so many completed already, I think it probably would have come up sooner if the pattern shorted the yarn requirement.

I’m about to swatch for one (as soon as I find my needle) in the Rowan Summerlite 4-ply. I’m excited about it!

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I bought eight skeins even though it indicated 7 skeins (see below)and knew I would run out so I purchased 2 more of the yarn color I am holding double. I am to the point of working the back and I think I will have enough yarn for the balance of the project. I scoured all of the posts and noone has indicated this so, I don’t know what I am doing wrong???

The Shakerag Top is beloved by knitters because it’s fun to knit and a breeze to wear. It looks good on everyone, and that’s a fact.

Designer Amy Christoffers deployed a neat trick to create its subtle tone-on-tone stripes: you alternate between holding the yarn double and holding it single. Here’s how many skeins of Summerlite 4ply you’ll need for each size.

Size S (finished bust measurement 39”): 6 skeins.

Sizes M, L (finished bust measurement 44”, 48”): 7 skeins.

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Oh you did say you were using the Summerlite so seven skeins is correct (it’s 4 skeins for Sylph). I’m editing my original response because I answered my own question about whether you are doing one color or two. So keep in mind, that you will be using one color for the whole sweater and the second color for only half of the stripes. I’m not sure what exactly that ratio would be but maybe a trip over to ravelry and check out some finished sweaters and see what their usage was.

And now I want to know what colors you’re using?

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Sorry that this is not a direct answer as I have not done a 2 color version.

Here is one in 2 colors in summerlite. Ravelry: diamone12's Shakerag top

It does confirm my thought that you may need more of the Main color than the other (or are you not marling, and using two strands of a second color for the double)?

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I’m using 2 strands of the same color.

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That is harder for me to guess, since I haven’t seen one that way. Best I can suggest is to weigh the yarn before and after the next stripe and then to see what you have left.

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I just started to cast on for my swatch and immediately knew something was terribly, terribly wrong. I did what you’re supposed to do in those situations. I put it down. I walked away. I did some deep breathing. I checked the needle size.

And then I looked at the ball band. And then I put my head down for a little rest and maybe a tiny cry.

I bought the wrong yarn. I have Rowan Hand Knit Cotton instead of Summerlite 4-ply. In my defense, I bought it at MDK World Headquarters where I was surrounded by yarn, people I love, and an amazing baked brie. I was drunk on love. Everything was beautiful and everyone was lovely and that brie was really really good and I really should have read the label.

I have a project that I think it will be perfect for and I decided to bury my pain and swatch for that. Of course I don’t have enough yarn for that project and I need to pick a color of the actual Summerlite 4-ply and place an order. But for now, I’m going to eat Top Ramen for lunch because that’s all that I trust myself with right now

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OH NO! But now you have two new projects to look forward to. Love, knitting and brie can always distract a stalwart knitter!

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That Brie was something special wasn’t it!

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I have been happily knitting my top (for over a year) :roll_eyes:
I’m a nervous knitter when I’m in unfamiliar territory and I’ve not knit many sweaters. Praying for patience as I move to the increase portion. Too bad I’ve also lost weight, because I’m NOT frogging to downsize. It is what it is. :rofl:

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This is one top where being oversized will not really be an issue!

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I completed the shakerag top and it is a great fit. The directions were easy to follow. The only warning I will give was that I used summerlite 4ply in aubergine and (I can’t remember the name of the color) a light beige/grey. I wet blocked it and to my dismay the aubergine ran onto the lighter color. I was so very upset. I then left the garment soaking and to my surprise all the color soaked out and the garment is perfect! Whew! Crisis averted, so this is just a warning.

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I’ve started on my Shakerag top in Rowan summerlite 4 ply. I’m a very slow knitter and also work on more than one thing at a time. I was out of work for a few weeks due to an emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder but I was in such a brain fog from the strong antibiotics and lack of sleep that I couldn’t knit at all . Luckily I only needed Tylenol for pain . But now that I’m getting better I’ve started back to knitting a few rows in the evening.

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It is beautiful and I hope you continue to heal quickly!

Hope your healing progresses! I just finished the shakerag top in summerlite and love it. It really fits well and looks great. I felt the pattern was just enough to keep my interest despite the ease of it. Happy knitting!

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Last summer I had the same surgery and tried to knit. I finally quit for a while because I was having trouble with even simple things. Take care. You’ll be fine. Best wishes!

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