There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a pattern and knowing that it’s the one for you. That’s exactly how I felt when I first laid eyes on the “Tropical” pattern from Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 75.
Rowan’s Knitting and Crochet Magazine No. 75 with Tropical on the front cover
Despite the initial draw of the overall design, it was the intricate cables that really caught my attention.
Tropical by Chloe Thurlow
However, as many of us knitters know, sometimes the vision in our head doesn’t perfectly align with the reality once our needles start clicking away.
Yarn Choices: A Subtle, Feminine Touch
For my version of “Tropical“, I decided to go with Rowan’s Summerlite 4ply in the delicate purple-pink shade of Blushes…..
which I paired with Kidsilk Haze in Grace, a pale pink shade…
The combination of these two yarns created a fabric that was as beautiful to touch as it was to look at.
The choice of yarn made the cables stand out even more, giving them a soft, almost ethereal quality. The lightness of the Kidsilk Haze added a gentle halo around the stitches, which I found particularly appealing. However, I opted to omit the Fair Isle design entirely. While it’s a stunning aspect of the original pattern, it simply wasn’t my style, and I was more interested in focusing on the texture and structure provided by the cables.
Side view showing a halo created by the combination of the two yarns knitted together.
Experimenting with Shaping: A Lesson Learned
One of the aspects of the “Tropical” pattern that intrigued me was the potential to add some waist shaping. Given the space between the cables, I thought this would be an ideal spot to incorporate some decreases to create a more fitted silhouette. In theory, it seemed like a brilliant idea. However, my attempt didn’t quite go as planned.
As I progressed, it became clear that the pattern was designed to fall naturally from the bust, with a slight flare as it approached the waist. This was something that wasn’t immediately obvious from the pattern photos, and I initially missed it. My attempt at shaping disrupted this intended flow, leading to a fit that wasn’t quite what I had envisioned.
The Revelation: Understanding the Pattern’s Intent
It wasn’t until I saw a finished “Tropical” sweater on display in a yarn shop that I fully appreciated the design’s intended drape. The way it fell so effortlessly from the bust, almost flaring slightly, was truly beautiful and quite different from what I had expected based on the pattern alone. This experience was a valuable reminder of how important it is to sometimes trust the designer’s vision, even when our creative instincts urge us to tweak and adjust.
Final Thoughts
Knitting the “Tropical” pattern was a journey of both trial and error, but also of learning. While my modifications didn’t turn out as I had hoped, the project was still incredibly rewarding. The cables, enhanced by the designer’s yarn choices, made for a stunning piece, even without the Fair Isle. And though my attempt at waist shaping was not too bad, it provided a valuable lesson in understanding garment construction and design intent.
For anyone considering knitting “Tropical“, I’d recommend embracing the pattern as it is, at least for the first time around. There’s a reason the design flares gently outwards from the waist—it’s part of what makes it so unique and beautiful.
If you want to see all the patterns in the Knitting & Crochet Magazine No. 75, click here.
Or take a closer look at the pattern “Tropical”, click here.
See all the shades available in Summerlite 4ply, click here.
See all the shades available in Kidsilk Haze, click here.
Happy knitting!
Esther x