Inspired by MILFs everywhere, and my own desire for the perfect, cropped knit top that has space for my boobs, the Curious Crop is a versatile design that can work in the Plain View as a great, tailored, full-coverage tank top, or in the Holey View as a cute sexy moment that won’t leave you worried about a wardrobe malfunction! This top has a cropped fit with a comfortable amount negative ease for that sculpted, tailored look you want from a sleeveless top.
The crop starts in the round to the chest, it is then worked flat for the rest of the garment. Joined at the shoulders with a 3 needle bind-off and with ribbing picked up seamlessly at the neckband and armholes to work in the round, this garment is worked all in one piece for a satisfyingly smooth knitting experience.

At the chest, the optional bust shaping short rows can be added to accommodate breasts. This pattern is graded using ‘women’s’ sizing charts but is designed with a wide variety of body shapes in mind. This style is totally unisex and should also fit a lot of cis men and other people who usually use ‘men’s’ sizing charts- please check the final measurements in the schematic (shown in the pattern photos.)

It is important to me that this pattern is financially accessible and so for low-income customers, this pattern can be purchased at 33% off using the code ‘LOW33’ or 50% off using the code ‘LOW50’. This is an honours system - please respect that I also am trying to make a living from my designs and if you can afford the full price I’d appreciate if you paid it.

Choosing a Size:

Choose the size that most closely matches your upper chest/upper bust* measurement: Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10) 11 will fit upper chest measurements of 67.5 (77.5, 85.75, 93.75) (102, 110, 118.25) (126.25, 134.5, 142.5) 147.5cm / 27 (31, 34.25, 37.5) (40.75, 44, 47.25) (50.5, 53.75, 57) 59in.

This is a negative ease garment. If you choose a size larger than indicated, the garment will be more relaxed.

To measure your upper chest/upper bust measurement, place a tape measure around your body underneath your armpits at an angle and keeping arms relaxed at your sides.

Finished Bust: 58.5 (66.5, 75, 83.5) (91.5, 101.5, 110) (118.5, 126.5, 135) 145cm / 23 (26.25, 29.5, 32.75) (36, 40, 43.25) (46.75, 49.75, 53.25) 57in

Intended negative ease at bust (the shaping will account for additional bust space requirements): 10 (12, 14, 15.5) (17.5, 17.5, 19.5) (21.5, 23, 25) 25cm / 4 (4.75, 5.5, 6) (7, 7, 7.75) (8.5, 9, 9.75) 9.75in.

Schematic illustration with complete measurements appears in pattern photos.

Choosing Shaping:

If you have breasts, a rounded chest or belly, or arched back, and often feel the front of your garments are shorter than the back, there is the option to work short row shaping over your chest to add length at the front only. This shaping is available in 5 cup sizes, adding 3 (6, 9, 12) 15cm / 1.25 (2.5, 3.5, 4.75) 6in. The length added will be slightly less when worn due to stretch, so if you are between sizes, I would encourage you to size up. (instructions for how to decide which cup are available in-pattern)

Note that Cup 4 does not work for size 1 and Cup 5 does not work for sizes 1 - 4 because there are not enough sts to support that number of rows.

Size 7 with Cup 3 in multicolours is shown on page 1 and throughout the pattern on a model with an upper chest measurement of 123cm / 48in.

Yarn:

Nice Yarns ‘Fine Merino’ (85% Merino wool, 15% nylon, 200m / 219yds per 50g) in colourways ‘Little Lilac’ (Main Body), Grumpy Grass (Hole Ribbing), ‘Dirty District’ (Neck Ribbing), and ‘Sizzling Sun’ (Armhole Ribbing).

Gauge:

24 sts and 38 rows/rounds per 10cm / 4in in stockinette stitch worked both flat and in the round using 3mm / US 2 1/2 needle.
I suggest knitting one flat gauge swatch at least 6in / 15cm square as well as one swatch in the round in your Main Needle before knitting to check gauge. If there are more sts and/or rows than recommended in the gauge, you should size up your needles. If there are fewer sts/rows, you should size down.

Supplies Needed:

• Tapestry needle
• 2 distinct stitch markers (can be made from a loop of waste yarn)
• Optional elastic thread for finishing
• Blocking mat and pins if desired
• Waste yarn in a contrast colour

Needles:

• Ribbing Needle - 2.5mm / US 1.5 or size 0.5mm smaller than Main Needle in your preferred lengths for small circumferences worked in the round (I used 12in / 30cm.)

• Main Needle - 3mm / US 2 1/2 or size needed to obtain gauge in your preferred lengths for small and large circumferences (I used 32in / 80cm.)

Yardage:

Your yardage is shown in the pattern photos.
Be aware that metres are shown above and yards below.

I’d like to say a special thanks to the team who helped me put this pattern together. It was important to me to make the best pattern possible and it would have never been possible without the help of these guys:
Rose Dagul - Grading, technical consultation and additional support
@rose_dagul on instagram
Heather Storta - Technical Editor
https://heatherstorta.com
Dave Morrow - Graphic design
@boxdog.inc on instagram
Antonia Verdier - Proofreading
@_neverghost on instagram