{"id":11682,"date":"2025-05-10T09:42:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T07:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/?p=11682"},"modified":"2025-05-10T09:42:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T07:42:06","slug":"hanna-the-ranunculus-top","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/hanna-the-ranunculus-top\/","title":{"rendered":"Hanna the ranunculus top"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I finished a top and just loved knitting it. It\u2019s not one of my usual styles, but I do love it and keep my eyes open for similar models. The yarn comes from Hanna the Gestrike sheep, a gold medalist at the Swedish fleece championships of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wrote about the fleece and the yarn<\/a> a couple of weeks ago. The massive fleece (for a Swedish heritage breed) of 2 kilos had different staple types and I divided it into three categories and spun them into the same yarn thickness. That way I can use all three types in the same project and adapt the placing of the yarn. I\u2019 haven\u2019t finished, though, since my mind really needed to knit the top I had decided on. This week I finished it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanna the Gestrike yarn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The yarn ended up very shiny and fits perfectly with the pattern. The uneven spots give extra sparkle to the structure and the pattern is ideal for handspun yarn due to its versatility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blocking my Ranunculus top knit in my handspun Gestrike wool.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was also very comfortable to knit with. And that\u2019s quite important, isn\u2019t it? My Hanna yarn flows comfortably through the fingers and doesn\u2019t split. And I have lots of yarn left and lots of wool left to spin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Ranunculus top<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The pattern, the Ranunculus by Midori Hirose<\/a>, is and oversized crop top with a lacey yoke pattern. It is very intelligently made, with lots of tutorials and options. The sizes are based on the chest circumference of the garment, and by choosing your preferred amount of ease you pick the size that gives that ease on your body. I chose the second size, and it didn\u2019t look very oversized, but when I blocked to the measurements, magic happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I am smitten with my Ranunculus top and can\u2019t stop looking at it. The pants are my hand sewn in a vintage Chinese handwoven cotton fabric.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other options offered in the pattern are neckline width and cuff short rows. I chose the smaller neckline and included the short rows for the cuffs, giving them a better fit. The top is knit top-down and is finished at the bottom with a wide 1×1 twist ribbing. The sleeves are bound off with an I-cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m playing with the idea of dyeing the top. Most of my knits are in natural wool colours, but I do have an indigo fermentation bucket underneath my home office desk and I may play with that. I\u2019ll keep you posted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ranunculus is perfect for a bike commuter \u2013 it fits neatly in my pannier and is easy to slip on after having slithered out of all that bike ride lycra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m actually thinking about making a second Ranunculus, in the wider neckline and more positive ease, knit in my handspun linen yarn. Perfect for hot summer days when I want to stay cool and out of the sun. I have actually never knit a pattern twice (apart from perhaps a pair of socks or two), but this sweater is well worth a second knit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy spinning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.S. My book Listen to the Wool<\/a> is available for pre-order now! Read more about it (and see a few of the beautiful photos) here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can find me in several social media:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n