The JUNO top was born to steal hearts. Like the goddess whose name it borrows, it has a magnetic aura and a multifaceted nature. It’s flirty and feminine, yet bold and uncompromising. It’s sexy and sophisticated, though in an effortless manner, and without missing out on comfort.

A closer look at its minimalistic design reveals beautiful romantic details. Its unique braided rib, combined with scalloped crochet edges, creates an all-over filigree-like look. This delicate stitch pattern is not only a delight to look at – it’s also fun and meditative to knit. You will feel like a jeweller while working on it, and this garment will take your summer outfits up a notch.

1 PATTERN = 4 DIFFERENT TOPS
The original design is an #offshoulder top which can be worked with short or long sleeves. Instructions to knit a strapless top and a strappy top by modding the original pattern are included at the end of the pattern.

CONSTRUCTION

The top is knit bottom-up in the round, in repetitions of a braided rib stitch pattern, using a single strand of fingering weight yarn. Best suited are wool based yarns or blends, such as cotton-merino, for their elasticity and memory.

The body and the sleeves are worked separately from the hem up and joined at the underarm to work the neckline. The top can be finished with scalloped crochet edges according to one’s preference. The pattern includes tailored bust shaping using German short rows and bust darts, and the option to mix-and-match sleeve and bust sizes for optimal fit.

FIT

The JUNO top is a fitted garment. It was designed with a good amount of negative ease, which varies across sizes to ensure the same look and fit when worn. Check the sizing guide to find out your recommended size. The bust circumference of the top will be about 40% smaller than your own.

AVAILABLE SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4) 5 (6, 7, 8) 9 (10, 11, 12) 13 (14, 15, 16)

designed for a bust circumference of (cm / inch):
76-80 (81-85, 86-90, 91-95) 96-100 (101-105, 106-110, 111-115) 116-120 (121-125, 126-130, 131-135) 136-140 (141-145, 146-150, 151-155) cm

30-32 (32-34, 34-36, 36-38) 38-40 (40-42, 42-44, 44-46) 46-48 (48-50, 50-52, 52-54) 54-56 (56-58, 58-60, 60-62)“

Use the pattern’s size guide to select your optimal size. This is a #sizeinclusive design with tips to adapt the garment to your unique body. My bust size is 91 cm (36½“) and I have worked size 4 for all four versions, including the strappy version, which is quite loose on me. My arm is 29 cm (11½”) at its fullest. My L5 is 3 cm (1¼“), I worked dart size C for my black sample, and dart size B for all others.

KNITTING LEVEL

Advanced beginner to intermediate. The pattern includes detailed step-by-step instructions, explains the used techniques in depth and includes links to video tutorials.

techniques used in the pattern:
Knit and purl, working through the back loop, “Inês’ two-stitch Dutch braid”, decreases on the right side, long tail cast-on, regular bind-off, binding off in pattern, three-needle bind-off, working in pattern repetitions while following other instructions, German short rows, grafting, scalloped crochet edge.

GAUGE

This design has negative ease. To ensure that the top will be large enough to fit you comfortably, gauge is measured stretched according to the pattern’s instructions.

1 pattern repeat (5 stitches) = 1,3 cm (½”), unstretched
1 pattern repeat (5 stitches) = 2,5 cm (1”), stretched
38 rows = 10 cm (4”), unstretched

SUGGESTED YARN

Knitting for Olive Merino (100% merino) 250 m (273 yds) / 50 g
or
Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino (70% cotton and 30% merino) 250 m (273 yds) / 50 g
Full-length body, short sleeves: about 3 (3, 3, 3) 3 (4, 4, 4) 4 (4, 4, 5) 5 (5, 5, 5) balls
A cropped body will spare you a ball of yarn. Bracelet length sleeves will likely require an extra ball of yarn.

Yarn used for the samples:
Short-sleeved top: KfO Merino in Licorice
Long-sleeved top: KfO Cotton-merino in Dark Ochre
Strapless bandeau top: KfO Merino in Nougat
Strappy top: KfO Pure Silk in Putty

Take a look at the size guide to assess whether length modifications might be necessary, in order to better estimate your yarn needs.

SUGGESTED NEEDLES AND HABERDASHERY

Needles: 3 mm (US 2.5) 40-150 cm (16-60”) circular needle + DPN set + shorties
Hook: 3.5 mm (US 4) crochet hook

Or the necessary needle sizes to attain the suggested gauge. You might need to use a different size hook for the edge too.

thin elastic thread for the neckline (1 mm), 4 stitch markers, 2 removable stitch markers, 3 flexible stitch holders or scrap yarn, 4 small rigid stitch holders or safety pins, measuring tape, tapestry needle.