DRK Hey Sailor Top and Fall Sewing Projects

Hey there, fellow fiber enthusiasts! Welcome back to Young Folk Knits. If you’re new here, I’m Kaci, and this is where I share my love for all things fiber arts. Today, I’m excited to chat about my latest project, the Hey Sailor Top, and how I paired it with some handmade pants. Plus, I’ll dive into where my knitting journey is headed next. So grab your favorite project, settle in, and let’s get started!

The Hey Sailor Top: A Delightful Test Knit

This project was a blast from start to finish. Designed by Andrea Mowry for the Insta Friends Knit-Along, it’s a drop shoulder tee that you can wear with the buttons in the front or the back. I love the versatility! https://www.ravelry.com/projects/YoungFolkKnits/hey-sailor It features a charming boat neck, short sleeves, and a touch of elegance with nine buttons running down the back.

The pattern is knit in mosaic colorwork, making it a perfect choice for beginners who want to try their hand at colorwork without the challenge of juggling multiple yarns at once. You work with one color per row, slipping the stitches of the second color. It’s simple, straightforward, and yields such a beautiful result.

Choosing the Right Yarn: Cotton Merino Love

For this project, I used Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino—a delightful blend of 70% cotton and 30% merino wool. https://knittingforolive.com/collections/knitting-for-olive-cottonmerino It’s soft, not harsh on the hands like pure cotton can be, and it has a lovely drape that blooms beautifully after blocking. Plus, you don’t need a ton of it since the top has short sleeves, making it a cost-effective choice.

I made the size 5, which is my usual size in Andrea Mowry patterns, but I’d advise you to check your measurements before starting. The finished measurements were a bit smaller than I expected, so make sure to pick your size based on the amount of ease you prefer.

Sewing the Perfect Pair: Handmade Linen Pants

Of course, I couldn’t stop at just the top. I love creating whole outfits, so I dove into my fabric stash and found some gorgeous linen remnants from Blackbird Fabrics. I didn’t have much left—just a bit over a yard and a half—but it was enough to make the Barry Pants, a pattern from Style Arc. https://www.stylearc.com/shop/sewing-patterns/barry-woven-pant/?srsltid=AfmBOoq6016EY2dL1WSsAhXqnIvgv1PkueVkJZgK8_R6QqaoOmfgrltr These pants are great for using up small amounts of fabric. They have a tapered leg with a neat little pleat at the bottom and simple pockets for a clean, functional look.

I managed to squeeze the size 18 out of my fabric, and I’m thrilled with how they turned out. The combination of the Hey Sailor Top and these linen pants feels both polished and comfortable—perfect for these transitional seasons.

Knitting Future: No Deadlines, Just Creative Freedom

For the first time in a while, I find myself without any test knit deadlines looming over me, and it’s a refreshing change! I’m taking this opportunity to dive into some long-awaited personal projects. One that’s been calling my name is the Ginny Cardigan, another design by Andrea Mowry. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ginny It’s a cozy, oversized DK-weight cardigan with a big shawl collar—basically a wearable hug!

I’m using Spincycle Yarns Metamorphic in the most gorgeous sage green, a color that’s as calming as it is versatile. This yarn is pure joy to knit with—soft, woolly, and perfect for the cooler months ahead. I’ve just reached the point where I’m about to split for the sleeves, and I can already tell this is going to be a go-to piece in my wardrobe.

Mosaic Mayhem: Join the Knitalong!

Speaking of projects, I’m hosting the YFK Mosaic Mayhem Knit-Along right now, and it’s not too late to join! We’re celebrating all things mosaic knitting, and any project that uses this technique is welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to mosaic, this is a laid-back, fun community event, and I’d love to see what you’re working on. You can join by posting your progress on Instagram using the hashtag #YFKMosaicMayhemkal or by sharing in the Ravelry thread linked below.
Mosaic mayhem Ravelry thread https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/youngfolk-knits-podcast/4324074/101-125#108

The Perfect Read for Cozy Knitting Sessions

On a slightly different note, I’ve been enjoying a fantastic audiobook called Death and Croissants by Ian Moore.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57795167 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57795167)

It’s a hilarious mystery featuring a British expat in France who gets reluctantly involved in solving a murder after one of his beloved hens is killed. It’s light, funny, and perfect for those cozy knitting sessions when you want to get lost in a good story. Highly recommend!

Video

Come along with me on the journey in this week’s video!

What’s Next?

I’m excited to explore some new patterns and techniques, and I’d love to hear what y’all are knitting on. Let me know in the comments—your projects always inspire me!

Thank you so much for hanging out with me today. If you enjoyed this little chat, don’t forget to hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss out on any future content. Until next time, happy knitting, y’all!