Free Interweave Knits and Completion of Allysa

I got my 1st Interweave Knits magazine in the mail today, YAY!
Me, being me, had to have it when I saw it in Barnes and Noble, couldn't wait for my 1st issue to arrive...so, I have an extra copy to give away. Here's the deal, leave a comment on my blog after taking this quiz (I got 13 out of 15) on knitting. Saturday I will get Lonnie to choose a name out of a hat and this person will win this summer issue of Interweave Knits.
On to knitting...I finished the "Allysa Halter" today, it's now blocking. I think that it's cute. Stats: size 7 addis and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece #810 Cherry Moon.
As I stated in my previous post, I was inspired by the lovely Katja on Knitty. So inspired that I used the "bra" pattern, adding a few more stitches to accomodate a size 4T. So, this is not entirely my pattern, I've been inspired by others, as we all are in knitting. I will happily write out my version of the pattern and the design that I used, but, I can't share the exact stitch pattern because it came from 365 Stitch Pattern Calendar...remember, the credit for the bra goes to the designer of Katja, Tisra Fadely .
Okay, this is what I did. I obtained my gauge, which was 5 sts to the inch. And multiplied it by 23, which is the chest circumference for 4T garments...you can do this with any gauge and any circumference, then alter the top to fit your circumference...you can add any stitch pattern that you want here.
I followed Katja's directions and used provisional cast on for each cup. Rather than using the recommended # of cast on sts, I increased mine to 35 sts cast on for each cup, I continued to follow the Katja's instructions on each cup. I then cast on (using long tail cast on) 31 sts onto my size 7, 24 inch addis (this is where I deter from the pattern, I'm about to knit the garter st band in the round). I then followed the directions for row one of the body, but I knit across 20 sts before beginning to knit the cups together as directed in Katja's pattern. After knitting the cups together, I knit the remaining sts and cast on (I used cable cast on) another 31 sts, this gave me a total of 115 sts., I then joined the round began the garter st. band: Place marker @ the 1/2 way point to ready for repostioning of sts @ the front of the halter.
Rnd 1: purl
Rnd 2: knit
Rnd 3: purl
Rnd 4: knit
Rnd 5: purl.....break yarn after finishing this round and reattach yarn at the front of the halter and begin knitting back and forth so that the lower front of the halter will be open.(Sorry, the halter is damp in the picture and looks blotchy; it's not the yarn.)
Okay, now begin to knit back and forth and begin the pattern of your choice, you can find several stitch patterns here and all over the web...if you want to use the same pattern I did, I used the Tulip Lace pattern from 365 Stitch Calendar. Another lovely eyelet pattern can be found here.
It's very important to remember to include a garter stitch edge so that it won't roll inward, as stockinette fabric loves to do.

I continued knitting this eyelet pattern for approximately 7-7 1/2 inches, I then knit 6 rows for the garter stitch border and then used Elizabeth Zimmerman's
sewn bind off.
Allysa continues to block and will be well received by her namesake,
Allysa!!!