When Joji asked for test knitters for her tunic design, I hesitated. I actually did. Not sure why. Maybe I was intimidated because up until that point, I have not knitted any of her gorgeous designs. She needed another knitter for the 38/40 size. Just perfect for me!

So the next step, after reading the draft pattern in its entirety, because of course you HAVE to read the entire pattern before casting on or else you might miss something crucial in the notes! Yes, I was totally being sarcastic there because I would have cast on rightaway if I had the yarn ready that very minute. But, alas, with the hundreds of fingering weight skeins in my stash, I had not enough of the same colourway to knit my Bello. Good thing I grabbed 12 skeins of that undyed Wollmeise Pure when it was on offer! I dyed three skeins to make sure I have enough for a me-sized tunic/pullover. Dyeing was fun! I love these colours and they are probably one of the best I have ever dyed, if I do say so myself.

The start of the collar and setting up the raglan are the only bits that need your undivided attention really. Once you split the body and sleeves, you’re good to go and even indulge in some TV while knitting away. Just remember to do a cable and/or an increase/decrease every now and then. I thought I would try and be a smart-ass and do a tubular bind off to match the tubular cast on. Ha! Double ha! I just couldn’t get any stretch on it so I switched back to my favourite suspended bind off. Works every time.

I actually used up all three skeins. Well, I had to modify it and lengthen the body after the shaping so that was to be expected. I had a friend model it for me once it was blocked. I could not bear to put it on at first fearing that I would ruin the look of the FO!

But I quickly got over it. In fact, I was rockin’ this pullover in Budapest last week! Excuse the silly face, I was showing my work mates a trick I learned, and one that my son also does whenever we eat outside. Seriously, we are embarrassing! Anyway, I love my Bello, and would wear it all the time if I could. I would actually like to make another one. I know, I know you’re thinking, “she says that with every FO!”, but this is a highly wearable pullover so if I did it in a Dubai-friendly yarn I can wear it any time of the year.

Here are the pattern link and details: Bello by Joji Knits
Needle: US 4 – 3.5 mm, US 2½ – 3.0 mm
Yarn: Wollmeise “Pure” 100% Merino Superwash, 3 skeins or 1150 yards
Colorway: Natural, dyed with Jacquard Acid Dyes