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Epekwitk is the traditional Mi’kmaq name for Prince Edward Island, meaning “something lying on/in the water.” Seen from the mainland, the island appears to float on the waters of Northumberland Strait - its red coastline glowing in the sunlight, other times blurred by mist and fog. This image is forever etched in my mind and the inspiration for this design. Its name pays tribute to the island’s First Peoples, who have inhabited and cared for this special place for thousands of years.

STYLE
The Epekwitk summer top is designed seamless, top to bottom. So light and aery, it’s sure to keep you cool even on the hottest of summer days. Vibrant summer colours in the yoke dance against the deep blue, inspiring thoughts of water and time at the beach!

Garter stitch is the unifying design element. The yoke band features corrugated garter-eyelet ribbing, radiating with gentle ease around the shoulders. The body is lightly textured in alternated lace “shells” and garter zigzag stripes.

CONSTRUCTION
The top is worked top-down, first sideways (yoke band) and then top-down (body). The yoke band is knit flat in garter stitch using German short rows and joined at centre back with 3-needle cast-off. Front and back pieces are picked up on the underside and worked flat with German short row shaping to the underarm, then brought together and knit in the round. Side increases allow for a slight A-line silhouette.

Written instructions include colour-coded sizes for easier reading, a schematic with finished measurements, pattern charts, and a suggested online tutorial for those wanting to learn the German short row technique.

SIZES
There are 7 sizes to choose from: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X). Finished chest measurements: 78 (86, 94, 104, 114, 124.5, 134.5) cm / 31 (34, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53) ins.
The top is worn fitted at the yoke and chest, with increasing positive ease of approx. 5 cm/2 ins throughout the body. Upper hip length (optional).

MATERIALS

Yarn: 100% worsted-weight mercerized cotton is ideal for summer. The design is easily adapted to cotton blends or other natural fibres of similar quality and weight that work to gauge.

The sample uses:
MC - Hawaii, by Anny Blatt - colour 2694, 50 g ball (105 m/115 yds)
CC - Samoa, by Atelier Zitron - colour 120, 50 g ball (105 m/ 115 yds)
Other suggested yarns: Modern Cotton, by Berroco; Muskat, by Drops; Handknit Cotton, by Rowan; Cotton Supreme, by Universal Yarns.

Amounts required:
MC - 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) balls = 420 (420, 525, 525, 630, 630, 735) m / 460 (460, 575, 575, 690, 690, 805) yds.
CC - 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3) balls = 105 (105, 210, 210, 210, 315, 315) m / 115 (115, 230, 230, 230, 230, 345, 345) yds.

Needles:
3.5 mm (US 4) needles
3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle (60 or 80 cm, depending on garment size)
stitch markers
stitch holder
tapestry needle to weave in ends

GAUGE
24 sts and 35-40 rows to 10 cm/4 in measured over garter st (outer-inner yoke band), worked on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles.
22 sts and 31 rows to 10 cm/4 in measured over body patt, worked in the round using 3.5 mm (US 4) needles (after blocking).

KNITTING SKILLS

• Provisional cast-on
• Standard and 3-needle bind-off
• Working flat and in the round
• Working textures and lace following written instructions and charts
• German short rows
• Increases worked as backward sts and yo’s
• Picking up stitches

SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate