American test knitter Beth Robinson, aka yarnbeth, made her first Aibell back in 2019, but has since made three sleeveless summer versions with less skirt width and then re-knitted two of these this summer after she had lost a weight. Here are new photos of her Summer Aibell.
On her project page she wrote: “Having lost weight, this no longer fit but I loved it so!!! So I have frogged and will re-knit the entire thing – I am so excited to make it again so I can wear it – my plan is to do this with all of my “summer Aibell” dresses, which are some of my most beloved (and unusual?) knits”.
This is the August Aibell in its reknitted version. Like all her versions she has modified it to fit her, using 12 different yarns from her stash. In her own words: “Re-making this one to fit me. I am going to frog everything but the rib as I think that width works fine even with a smaller body section and that will save me some time. I will use what learned about re-knitting Summer Aibell and make this a little more fitted than this original blue one but not as fitted as the new Summer Aibell. Also wanting this to be a little longer than all of them so far, to just above knee, and slightly wider straps.”
Let me present Bright Summer, in Beth’s words: “Having so much trouble keeping enough things on the needles, so casting on for a THIRD AIBELL, my favorite dress pattern ever. Gonna have marl-y stash-y fun…starting with Violena Colori, Cotton Twist, Pollock…will work it out from my box of stash bits as I go along – so much fun, on my favorite pattern ever.”
After making the first, she wrote on her project page for Aibell & Friends; “This is absolutely my most favorite knitted thing I have ever done. I am wearing it around the house now like pyjamas, and don’t know when I will take it off long enough to wash it.”
Beth loved her first version so much she bestowed the role as Aibell Ambassador upon herself, with my blessings; “The shape is fabulous – it is very comfortable and looks good too!” I think my Aibell Ambassador is the best!
Here is the introduction to the pattern made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their Tinde pelt wool yarn: Named after the Celtic Goddess of Munster who had a magical harp in her possession is this ballon shaped dress where the shaping is done by the cables. The a-line created by the cables is mirrored on the body. The front has Right cables beginning at hip one at a time, while the back has Left cables. A cowl makes a high cabled collar or a belt. Wear it loose hanging down, slightly pulled up or as a tunic with the rib turned.
The Aibell pattern is available in sizes XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 86 to 122 cm/33.75 to 48 inches and knitted with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch after blocking measures 10 cm/4” square, in English and Norwegian on Ravelry and LoveCrafts. Yarn kits are available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.
