Nirvana is a loose-fitting top with all-over cables, featuring Japanese shoulder shaping. It is worked from the top down, starting with the back piece flat from neck to underarms. Left and right fronts are picked up from the shoulders and worked flat first separately until the bottom of neck opening, then as one piece until the underarms. At that point, extra stitches are cast on for underarms and the whole top is joined to work in the round all the way down to the hem. Neck opening is trimmed with a 1x1 rib neckband. Default pattern is written for short sleeves, but you can also choose to make them full-length, or work a 1x1 ribbed trim to turn it into a vest.

This tutorial gives you detailed step-by-step instructions for the whole process, including written instructions, charts, photo- and video-tutorials.

You will need
yarn
DK to worsted weight yarn with a very airy structure and high fuzz and drape (e.g. chainette); such yarn shouldn’t be very springy and should not hold rib well.

My sample was knit out of Katia Concept ‘Sky’ (32% cotton, 30% merino, 26% nylon, 12% alpaca; 160 m / 175 yds per 50 g / 1.8 oz).

Needles:
•Main (for aran print): 4 mm / US 6 (or size to get gauge) circular needles on a 60-80cm / 24-32” cable for body & 40cm/16” for sleeves;
•Smaller (for rib): 2.5 mm / US 1.5 (or ~1.5 mm / 3 US sizes smaller than main) circular needles on a 60-80cm / 24-32” cable for hem, 40 cm / 16” for the neckband and short sleeve cuffs / DPNs for long sleeve cuffs.

Gauge
21 sts x 28 rows per 10 cm/4” in stockinette stitch after blocking with needles you will be using for aran print (base size – 4 mm/US 6). 1 aran print repeat (16 sts) is 6.5 cm / 2.5” wide

Notions: Stitch markers, row counter (optional), waste yarn / stitch holders / spare needle cables, scissors, tapestry needle.

Sizes available:
XS-S (30’-34’)- bust 72-90cm/30-36”, hips 84-96cm/34-38”
M-L(36’-42’) - bust 90-108cm/36-42’’, hips 96-114cm/38-44’’
XL-2XL(44-50’) - bust 108-126cm/42-50” hips - 114-132cm/44-52”
3XL-4XL (52-56’) - bust 126-146cm/50-58”, hips: 132-144cm/52-56”