Have you ever knit with 100% silk?

[Sue Madelin]

I'm making the Sahara top using Tilli Thomas 100% spun silk yarn.

The pattern states that unplied silk yarn stretches a lot in wear and so give row counts as well as measurements in the pattern. It advises that is you are using the featured yarn (which I am) then you should follow the row counts rather than measuring.

I'm just wondering if anyone has actually had any experience of how much silk will stretch because I just tried on the wip as suggested and I'm horrified by how tight it is. I know the pattern says that using beaded yarn for the contrast will cause even more stretch but I think I'm just needing a bit of reassurance. (Not least because the cost of the yarn for this project was incredible! Most definitely the most expensive item I'll ever knit I'm sure!)

I'm worried that I'll end up with a very expensive but too tight top - and I'm not sure how the silk would stand up to being ripped out and re-knitted if I decide that I need to make the next size up!

Help me please!