I didn’t knit much this summer. I thought about picking up some sport weight and plaing around with lace patterns, or experimenting with the sweat resistant properties of bamboo (that I may have imagined?). But it’s been hot and sticky outside and because of my overworked AC unit, usually hot and sticky inside too. So my yarn collection stayed in baskets, tangling every time I looked at it. 

Instead of actively knitting, I was researching. Which is the formal way I’m choosing to describe taking selfies in all my summer tops. I did pick up on a few things in the process. First off, that I love Elsebeth Lavold. I still have to work my way through my last Shine Worsted haul, but when I do, I’m coming back for Silly Wool. I know wool for summer is counterintuitive, but it feels so much nicer than cotton and doesn’t pill under my arms. 

Second, I’ve been sleeping on wrap tops for years. I’ve only ever made one (not counting the zero I’ve purchased in my life) and I think it’s the most flattering thing I’ve knit. 

I’ve worn this top to drinks, dinner, the dog park, my own house, and a third wedding. It’s the same bright Kelly green as the summer dresses, bike shorts, and giant head-topping bows I wore to play Mario Kart and dig holes in the backyard as a child. It’s a lime popsicle.

I feel great as a lime popsicle. Confident, skinny, occasionally interesting. (If you also want to feel like a lime popsicle, you can buy the pattern here: buy now)

What I don’t feel, is employed. It’s too carefree. It’s irresponsible. Short. It’s the little sister. (Like me.) We’re into September now. School busses are in session, I can’t go to the pool, and I haven’t played Mario Kart in 15 years. So I aged up the Kelly Wrap Top. It’s one extra braid and a slightly more modest neckline. But it tastes like ambition.

She’s still fun. She still has the low back, the wrap front, but she’s more buttoned up. Literally. There’s an extra button. She’s also more into horses.

I think the tan color made me think equestrian. Truthfully, I ran out of black yarn, and I hate to buy yarn for pattern testing, remakes, or adjustments. So I tried to run out of yarn but fake it fashion. You be the judge of my level of success there.

I actually really like how this turned out. It’s still not quite work appropriate, but it’s less stomach-conscious, and I love having cropped and non-cropped options.

I was going for cool older sister, but it’s giving ‘90s Vest Aunt. So she’s less Stacie, and more Aunt Stacie. With a button collection.

If you also want to look like Aunt Stacie with a button collection, you can buy now.