This pattern is now in testing and will be re-released on June 30th - if you simply cannot wait and would like access to the test version, it is now only available to ko-fi subscribers of Ponder&Ply or Knitting Tipsy. Please use the following links, if you would like to subscribe and gain access ahead of the release date, otherwise, sit tight and it will be with you in a few weeks time!

Ponder & Ply’s ko-fi

Knitting Tipsy’s ko-fi

The Friendship Has Lace Borders Top was born from the creative minds of Molly Mae (Ponder & Ply) and Chelsea (Knitting Tipsy) when they finally met in Florida after a 5 year long online friendship.

It is available as both a knitted and crocheted top (or a mix and match of the two, if you would like to merge the patterns, just make sure you download both!).

This is the knitted version, the crochet version can be found here, in Knitting Tipsy’s Store.

Separated by continental borders, we first met virtually and our friendship grew and grew. After years of video chats and messages, we finally got to meet in person and it was simply magic. That magic resulted in us conjuring up this beauty - a way to bond with our online friends from afar until one day (hopefully) we get to hug them in person.

We know many a maker has found close lifelong friends in our community, just like us, and we also know, you may have never met in real life. This project will allow you to make matching bestie tops in your chosen craft and share the fun from afar. You could send yarn from where you live, make matching tops or even just have a make a long together or make one for each other and swap. Do not let borders stop your friendship! And thus, the Friendship Has Lace Borders Top was born.

Now more about the pattern itself…

There are instructions to custom fit this top to your own measurements and we recommend doing just that! There are however instructions using the craft councils guidelines if you cannot access someones measurements easily or if you simply do not want to work it out yourself.

The pattern also can be heavily customised to find what suits you best. You can have a lot of skin bared, like the beautiful Chelsea, or you can choose to seam the panels for more coverage, like Molly - Molly seamed around 3”, you could achieve more coverage by seaming further up, she still likes it skimpy!

The pieces of this pattern are knitted separately then seamed together. The top fastens with 4 buttons at the back waistband and ties at the top of the shoulders. The shoulder ties could be achieved in multiple ways (crochet chain ties like Chelsea, lace edging like Molly, or even ribbon or elastic), whatever feels the most you!

We both used silk for our samples and also recommend using a drapey yarn but please note, such fibres grow a lot! So a proper gauge swatch and blocking are essential!

If you have downloaded the pattern and would like to join our open test, you can join the testing group here: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/friendship-has-lace-borders

There is no pressure to test but we would love you to join if you are willing, tester feedback can be provided here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aLmjgv-odXjGwhSgYb04qOPp...