Bee Beautiful was named by the hand dyer behind the yarn that inspired the top. Henriette (By Kiilerich) named it after the small bees flying up the neck. The yarn is a light alpaca/linen/silk blend; perfect for summer!

It is knit top down, first worked flat until you join front and back to work the body in the round. It has a V-neck and short sleeves to create a light and airy summer top. The ribbing on the body is worked in zig-zag lines, created by increasing and decreasing, and the bees at the neck is a simple lace pattern.

I have added two appendixes: one with instructions for long sleeves, and one with instructions for slanting shoulders. Slanting the shoulders is a good idea if you are working with a heavier yarn in a tighter gauge than the pattern suggests! Please note that these appendixes are only tested in a few sizes! Please let me know if you experience problems in your size – that way I’ll be able to perfect them over time!
 
Sizes
1–2–3 (4-5-6) 7-8

Measurements on finished garment
Chest circumference: 80-94,5-102 (116-123,5-138) 145,5-160 cm / 32.3-36.6-40.7 (45-49.2-53.5) 57.9-62.2 inches
Body length: 52-52-52 (54-54-54) 56-56 cm / 18.9-18.9-18.9 (19.7-19.7-19.7) 20.1-20.1 inches

Fit
Bee Beautiful is designed to be worn with 0-15 cm / 0-6 inches ease. Body and sleeve length are easily adjustable; just remember that changing the length will affect yardage!
This top is worked top down with a V-neck. First you knit the shoulders, then front and back are worked separately until the body is joined to be worked in the round. Stitches are picked up for the sleeves, which are then worked top down.

Yardage
720-750-800 (850-900-1000) 1140-1260 meters fingering weight yarn.

Yardage is estimated and may vary between knitters!

The sample is size 3, and used 2 skeins of Alin Silk, in the colorway Silverfox from By Kiilerich: https://bykiilerich.com/

Suggested needles
3.75 mm (US5) circular 60 or 80 cm / 24 or 32 inches, using magic loop where needed.
3.25 mm (US3) circular 60 or 80 cm / 24 or 32 inches, using magic loop where needed.

Gauge
22 stitches x 29 rows/rounds in stockinette stitch on larger needle = 10x10 cm / 4x4 inches

Note: Needle size is just a suggestion. Adjust needle size if needed to obtain gauge! Pay extra attention to your gauge when working flat – you may need to go down a needle size on the purl rows, as many knitters will have a looser gauge when purling compared to knitting. Also be mindful of gauge when doing small circumference knitting (for the sleeves), where many knitters tend to get a tighter gauge. If this happens to you, you will have to go up a needle size!