The Cancer Rising crop is a love letter to all of you compassionate, caring, emotionally committed Cancer sweethearts! Cancers are known for their sensitivity and emotional depth; your favorite influential elementary school teacher was probably a Cancer. This crop completes the trifecta of patterns for my astrological “big 3” (Capricorn sun, Gemini moon, and Cancer rising).

This garment is sleeveless and cropped with a high x-shaped neck that transitions to straps in the back. It is knit bottom-up starting with a lace pattern that is meant to evoke ocean waves as an homage to the Cancerian crab. Modifications are given for bust shaping and body length adjustment.

Sizes:
(XS, S, M) (L, XL, 2XL) (3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL)
based on the following bust measurements:
(30, 34, 38) (42, 46, 50) (54, 58, 62, 66)”
(76, 86, 97) (107, 117, 127) (137, 147, 157, 167) cm
This top is designed to be worn with 0-4” negative ease in the full and upper bust. Consider both the full bust and upper bust measurements in the sizing chart when choosing your size. If your full bust is more than 3” larger than your upper bust, choose the size that corresponds to your upper bust and then work the optional bust shaping with short rows. If your full bust is less than 3” larger, equal to, or smaller than your upper bust measurement, choose the size that corresponds to your full bust.
NOTE: Sizes XS and 6XL have not been tested for this top! If you are interested in test knitting either XS or 6XL and receiving the pattern as compensation, please email me at discostitch@gmail.com :)

Materials:
Sport or light DK yarn, circular needles, stitch markers, 1 special stitch marker for BOR, 1 removable stitch marker, scrap yarn or stitch holders, darning needle, sewing tape measure

Suggested Yarn:
Paintbox Cotton DK

Suggested Needles:
US 5 (3.75 mm) needles

Gauge:
22 sts & 30 rows per 4”x4” (10cm) in the round (wet blocked)

Yardage:
(290-370, 340-420, 390-470) (420-520, 440-590, 520-680) (600-750, 690-840, 770-920, 860-1010) yds
(270-330, 310-380, 360-430) (380-470, 400-540, 470-620) (550-690, 630-760, 710-840, 780-920) meters

Techniques:
cable cast-on, picking up stitches knitwise, picking up stitches purlwise, decreasing, increasing, holding stitches, slipping stitches, blocking, knitting in the round, knitting flat

Sharing:
To share your finished project on Instagram and see other versions of this pattern, use the hashtag #cancerrisingcrop and tag me in your photos @discostitch!