Ever wished you could knit two summer tops in the time it takes to make one? Well, now you can!

The MELIDES top is the perfect everyday summer top with a twist:

It’s two tops in one. On one side, a trendy square neckline for the perfect casual outfit. On the other side, a flirty deep V-neckline, for an elevated look. Style it with anything in your wardrobe: mom jeans, thrifted shorts, flowy skirts, wide leg pants, even over a slip dress, or a t-shirt.

It’s all about the details. The slightly tapered cropped fit. The seamless construction in smooth stockinette stitch, only interrupted by the darts, that elongate the figure and give this top that special something. The delicate hem that doesn’t roll or curl, and the neat I-cord edges that blend with the main fabric while lending this garment some structure.

The MELIDES top is the little brother of the MELIDES dress. It was designed with every knitter in mind. It takes the difficulty down a notch, while keeping the pretty details. If the MELIDES dress is all about tailoring and finding your perfect fit, this top is all about keeping it as easy and straightforward as a summer day at the beach. It’s the perfect project to take on holidays: it fits it into any travel bag, it knits up quick and it offers you a good bit of mindless knitting. And because it is just as easy to wear as it is to knit, you might feel tempted to wear it every day for the rest of your trip!

AVAILABLE SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4) 5 (6, 7, 8) 9 (10, 11, 12) 13 (14, 15, 16)
Bust circumference:
78 (82, 85, 88) 91 (94, 98, 101) 104 (107, 110, 114) 117 (120, 123, 126) cm
31¼ (32¾, 34, 35¼) 36½ (37¾, 39, 40¼) 41½ (43, 44¼, 45½) 46¾ (48, 49¼, 50½)’’
Length (used to calculate yardage):
37.5 (38.5, 39.5, 40) 41 (41.5, 42, 43) 43.5 (44, 44.5, 45.5) 46 (46.5, 47.5, 48) cm
15 (15½, 15¾, 16) 16½ (16½, 16¾, 17) 17½ (17½, 17¾, 18¼) 18½ (18½, 19, 19¼)’’

SUGGESTED EASE AND FIT
The MELIDES top was designed as cropped top, and to be worn with an intended ease of approximately 0 cm / 0’’ (± 1.6 cm / ¾’’). Choose the size with the bust measurement closest to your own. The length is just a suggestion.

This top includes several modding alternatives for optimal fit and length.

A NOTE ON EASE: I have knit my MELIDES top with 1.6 cm / ¾’’ ease. However, pure silk tends to grow quite a bit with wear, and I’ve worn my top a lot during the summer. My straps have become longer, and I definitely have more ease around the bust too. For this reason, you may see pictures where I’m wearing it with different ease.

KNITTING LEVEL
Adventurous beginner.
The pattern includes very detailed step-by-step instructions to work every section of your top.
Techniques used: stockinette stitch, linen stitch, slip stitches, M1R, M1L, SSK, K2tog, long tail cast-on, regular bind-off,
I-cord, grafting. Video tutorials and/or written explanations for all used techniques are provided with the pattern.

GAUGE
25 sts x 31 rows in stockinette stitch, blocked without pinning or stretching.
Follow the instructions in the Gauge section of the pattern to work your swatch.

YARN AND HABERDASHERY
2 (2, 2, 2) 2 (2, 2, 3) 3 (3, 3, 3) 3 (3, 4, 4) balls of Knitting for Olive Pure Silk, 250 m (273.5 yds) / 50 g
or approx. 350 (375, 400, 425) 450 (475, 500, 525) 550 (575, 600, 625) 650 (675, 700, 725) m /
385 (410, 440, 465) 495 (520, 545, 575) 600 (630, 650, 685) 710 (740, 765, 795) yards of any fingering weight yarn of your choice, provided you get gauge. Calculated for the suggested length.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
3 mm (US 2.5) 60-100 cm (24-40’’) circular needles, for the main fabric (= main needles)
3 mm (US 2.5) x2 short or long DPNs, for extra comfort while knitting the straps
2.5 mm (US 1.5) 40-100 cm (16-40’’) circular needles, for the I-cords (= smallest needles)

8+ stitch markers, 2+ removable stitch markers, 4 stitch holders for the straps,
1 tapestry needle, 1 measuring tape

Before you start, make sure to read the pattern from the beginning to the end. Read pages 1-6 and 17-20 thoroughly before you start. If you print your pattern, you might want to keep these pages separate for easy access.

This pattern has been professionally tech edited by Urban Yarning.