Whilst I was away Kennis from Itch-to-Stitch called for testers for this lovely pattern. I was so sad I couldn’t participate but I bought the pattern the minute it was released as it ticked all the boxes for me (except pockets!). I loved the hood, the length and the henley placket.

The Visby Henley & Top is described as a comfortable pullover designed for knit fabric with a sporty cuffed long raglan sleeve. View A has a partial placket with button closure and neckband and a slightly curved hem. View B has a neckband (no partial placket) and a slightly curved hem. View C has a partial placket with button closure and hood and a bottom band.

I wanted to test the pattern so rummaged in my stash for a knit fabric and came up with some cotton jersey which I bought in Textile Traders about five years ago and immediately disliked and so it lingered. I dragged it out and felt quite happy to use it as a toile, although the minute it was made I knew I would happily wear it out and about.

I made a combination of views: I used View C’s hood, with View B’s neckband and curved hem. I decided to do a FBA to get rid of the underarm wrinkles that always occur on this kind of top, and whilst it did reduce the wrinkles, it didn’t eliminate them. I think that next time I will either fiddle with the armscye or even give in and insert darts into the side seams. In spite of the wrinkles the top has become a staple garment on the current trip to Tasmania, with my friend Suzanne along for a holiday too.

That hood was perfect for keeping the breeze off my head on the ferry to Bruny Island.

Exploring Bruny Island, we visited Adventure Bay which was visited by several explorers in the 1700s. The “Adventure” in Adventure Bay has nothing to do with unusual or exciting experiences, but was the name of Captain Tobias Furneaux’s ship ‘The Adventure’. Hah!

This is commemorating the landing of Captain Cook at Adventure Bay, although it has some rather alarming cracks so I’m not sure how long it will last.

We visited the beach at Bruny Island Neck Conservation Reserve and, although we were there at the wrong time to see the penguins, I did have a lovely play.

Such a beautiful beach on a moody day…

A close up of the hood from the top of the Shot Tower at Taroona, nearly 200 feet up.

Another day, another historic bridge, this time at Ross (see the historic Richmond Bridge here).

Whilst the weather in Tasmania can be iffy at any time of the year, we were blessed with some beautiful weather on occasion. This is the view over Eaglehawk Neck and Pirate’s Bay taken when we stopped for coffee from a little caravan on the side of the road.

It was so sunny I had to wear my hat, which certainly proved its worth in terms of keeping the sun off me. There is a “tessellated” beach near Eaglehawk Neck, where the rocks look as though they are tiled with grouting in between. This photo is taken from that spot.

I also made myself some new PJs from some cotton knit I bought to make my mother a nightdress but my sister bought her several, so the fabric has hung around. For the top I used View A with the placket, and I have to say that Kennis’ instructions are absolutely spot on in terms of sewing the placket. The shorts were made from New Look 6804 which I bought in an op shop some time ago.

The Visby has been a really useful top on our holiday and I’m sure I’m going to make many more.