Towards the end of each winter, I start dreaming of sun, bees, blossoms and I always try to design at least one new top to wear when the sunny days arrive.
This is the first top of this year, and I just can’t wait to wearing it.

The pattern is tested by a group of talented knitters (list at the bottom of these notes).
And all of my testers found this to be a fun and easy knit.

Design and construction
Easy-fitting summer-top with possibilities of adding/subtracting length to the body, as well as to the sleeves.
The shoulders are slightly sloped to ensure a great fit.
The rounded neckline has a flattering curve.
The top is worked bottom-up and in the round to underarms, and the upper front and back are worked flat in separate pieces.
The shoulders are shaped by short-rows and worked together from WS using the 3-needle bind-off method, or grafting.
The sleeves are worked in the round and top-down from picked-up and knit sts around the armhole openings, and the neckline is also worked from picked-up and knit sts.
Finishing work is limited to weaving in ends and blocking.

Sizes:
Finished chest measurements, after washing/blocking and worked at gauge: 77/84/92/100/108/115/123/131/138/146/154 cm = 30/33/36/39/42.5/45/48.5/51/54/57.5/61”.

Materials
Yarn: I used ”Organic Cotton” from Krea Deluxe. This sport weight yarn comes in balls of 50 gr/1.76 oz and 165 m/185 yards.
I recommend any fingering/sport with great stitch-definition that knits up to gauge.
Of the specific yarn above you will need approximately 750/790/870/950/1025/1110/1210/1310/1450/1490/1620 m = 820/865/950/1035/1120/1210/1320/1430/1580/1625/1770 yards.

Needles: size 3 mm/US2.5 (or size to obtain gauge) for the entire top.

Notions: 1 removable stitch-marker. Blunt tapestry needle. Measuring tape. Blocking tools convenient for the yarn you are using.

Gauge: 26 sts and 35 rounds/rows in pattern (except rounds 5 – 8) = 10 x 10 cm/4 x 4”. To obtain gauge, I used needles size 3 mm/US2.5. For best results, I recommend that you work at gauge.

The pattern

• The pattern is tested and proof-read.
• All lace and textures are charted, as well as written out round-by round (and row-by-row for the upper body).
• There is a schematic.
• All measurements are given in cm’s, as well as in inches.

Techniques involved

• Cast-on
• Bind-off
• Working in the round
• Working flat
• Working lace and textures, following charts and/or written instruction
• Short-rows (explained)
• 3-needle bind-off, or grafting (links provided)
• Picking-up and knit sts

Knitting skills: intermediate

Thanks to all my lovely and talented testers:
Alohatnt / annadema / aomalley / CairAndros / Dreguylou / ejmsasha / foranpdx / Gemzones / kostelnice / LakeLinda / Manufactum / mizvalski / tastywench TheLadyEden and SKYSNOTHELIMIT