When I took this garment off the needles, I knew that this will be my favourite summer-top this year! I can’t wait until I can start wearing it, but with 11 degrees C outside I just have to wait a bit longer.
It will just go with anything; my casual pair of jeans, my summer skirt, under my silk shirt… I look forward to try it out in so many ways.

Construction
The top is worked top down and seamlessly, starting from the upper back, followed by left and right front worked flat.
Thereafter fronts and back are joined and work is continued in the round until bind-off. The waist is shaped, but this is optional.
The pretty lace is a 6-row/round repeat, which is easily memorized.
The hem of the bottom is finished off with a crochet picot.
The armhole and neck edges are worked from picked-up sts.

Sizes
Finished bust circumference, after washing/blocking, and worked at gauge: 85/89.5/94/100/108/114/120/128 cm = 33.5/35.5/37/39.5/42.5/45/46/50.5”.
Sample is worked in size 1, with approximately 5 cm/2” ease.
I recommend 0 - 5 cm/0 - 2” of positive ease.

Materials
Yarn: I recommend any light fingering/fingering weight yarn that knits up to gauge. I used “Tosh Merino Light” from Madeline Tosh, in the colourway “Aura” to work the top.
This fingering weight, merino yarn comes in skeins of 384 m/420 yards.
Of this specific yarn you will need approximately 650/725/800/875/950/1025/1100/1200 m = 710/790/875/955/1035/1120/1200/1310 yards.
Needles: size 2.5 mm/US1.5 (or size to obtain gauge).
Crochet hook 2.5 mm.
Notions 4 removable stitch-markers, waste yarn (or holders), tapestry needle, blocking tools.

Gauge: 28 sts and 36-38 rows/rounds in stockinette sts (and also the lace-pattern) = 10 x 10 cm/4 x 4”.

The pattern:

• The lace is charted as well as written out, both for the upper fronts as well as the centred lace-pattern of the lower body.
• There is a schematic.
• All measurements are given in cm’s as well as in inches.
• All necessary stitch-counts are given.

Techniques involved:

• short-rows (for the upper back)
• working lace following charts and/or written instructions
• increases and decreases
• working simple crochet (dc and chains)
• picking up and knit sts