I hope this takes your breath away (I’m sorry, I had to).

This is the official pattern site for the Strangle Me With Fashion Top by CraftyChiara.

I designed and knitted this top myself. Find a full vlog on the creation of this top here on YouTube.

PATTERN INFO

DESCRIPTION
This geometric detail top is knitted bottom-up. After a hem 2x2 ribbing, the body is knitted and then some increases are made for the bust area. Then the top is split into front and back, and the front is worked first. Then the back and front are connected. After a few decreases, the collar is then knitted flat in 2x2 ribbing. Finally, buttons are sewn on and an i-cord edging is knitted onto the chest and arm hole openings. The pattern includes detailed written instructions for all steps, including additional written out instructions per chart (front and back chart) per size.

YARN
Sostrene Grene 100% Cotton 8/4 (160m/50g, 100% Cotton) 150g (150g) 200g (200g) 250g (250g) 300g (300g) 350g
Lang Yarns TROPICAL (165m/50g, 50%Cotton, 50% Nylon)150g (150g) 200g (200g) 250g (250g) 300g (300g) 350g
More yarn suggestions (make sure to swatch!): Lana Grossa Elastico (160m/50g), Lana Grossa Alta Moda Cottolana (150m/50g), Heirloom Cotton 4-ply (165m/50g), Rowan Summerlite 4-ply (175/50g), Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 (160m/50g), Drops Loves You 9 (125m/50g)
or other DK to sport/4 ply-weight cotton

GAUGE
Attention! You need to get a yarn with some stretch. The top is meant to be bodycon, so make sure to swatch correctly and block your swatch before taking the measurements for the gauge.
On 3.5 mm / US4 needles in stockinette st 24 sts x 32r (not stretched)
On 3.5 mm / US4 needles in stockinette st 14 sts (fully stretched)

NEEDLE SIZES
3.5 mm / US4 circular needles for the body (cable length 60 cm/24“ - 120 cm/48“, depending on the size you’re making)
2.5 mm/ US1½ for the hem and collar (cable length same as body, using magic loop)
3 mm / US2½ for i-cord edging

SIZES
The following circumferences are minimum ranges of fit, meaning that if your gauge swatch fully stretched is 18 sts, the top will fit the following measurements at the least. If your swatch has more stretch, it will fit a wider range. Make sure to pick the size that fits your bust circumference.
The sizes will be indicated in brackets throughout the pattern like so:
(XS, S, M) L, XL, 2XL {3XL, 4XL, 5XL}
Bust Circumference: To fit bust circumferences of (76-83, 84-91, 92-99) 100-107, 108-116, 117-125 {126-134, 135-143, 144-152} cm // (30-32¾, 33-35¾, 36¼-39) 39¼-42¼, 42½-45¾, 46-49¼ {49½-52¾, 53¼-56¼, 56¾-59¾} inches.
Waist Circumference: The waist is shaped, meaning decreases are worked so it is tight fitting to fit waist circumferences of (53-71, 55-73, 62-82) 67-89, 72-96, 78-104 {83-111, 90-120, 95-127} cm // (21-28, 21½-29, 24½-32½) 26-35, 28-37½, 31-41 {33-43½, 35½-47, 37½-50} inches. The pattern also entails instructions for if you want to skip the waist shaping and knit the body straight from the hem to below the bust.
Collar: The collar is tight fitting (with buttons) and fits neck circumferences of (34.5, 37, 39.5) 42, 44.5, 47 {49.5, 52.5, 55} cm // (13.5, 14.5, 15.5) 16.5, 17.5 18.5 {19.5, 20.5, 21.5} inches.
Length: Total length (without collar) measured from mid front collarbone to hem (46, 47.5, 52.5) 54, 56, 57.5 {59.5, 61, 62} cm // (18.5, 19, 21) 21.5, 22.5, 23 {24, 24.5, 24.5} inches. Measured in front because the top is bodycon and needs to fit varying bust sizes.

MEASUREMENTS
The top is designed to have negative ease, meaning the finished garment will be smaller than the measurements of it worn on your body, because of the stretch.
The following are the approximate measurements of the finished garment.
Bust circumference: (61, 66, 73) 78.5, 85, 92 {101, 108, 113} cm // (24, 26, 29) 31, 33.5, 36.5 {40, 42.5, 44.5} inches
Waist circumference: (55.5, 57.5, 64.5) 69.5, 75, 82 {87, 94, 99} cm // (22, 22.5, 25.5) 27.5, 29.5, 32 {34, 37, 38.5} inches
Circumference at hem: (61, 64.5, 71.5) 76.5, 83.5, 90.5 {97.5, 104.5, 109.5} cm // (24, 25.5, 28) 30, 33, 35.6 {38.5, 41, 43} inches
Collar height: 6 cm // 2.5 inches for all sizes
Neck circumference: (24, 26, 28) 29.5, 31.5, 33 {35, 37, 38.5} cm // (9.5, 10, 11) 11.5, 12.5, 13 {14, 14.5, 15} inches
Hem width: (4, 4, 4) 4, 4, 6 {6, 6, 6} cm // (1.5, 1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5, 2.5 {2.5, 2.5, 2.5} inches
Length from underarm to hem: (30.5, 31, 34.5) 36, 36, 37.5 {38, 39.5, 40.5} cm // (12, 12.5, 13.5) 14, 14, 14.5 {15, 15.5, 16} inches
Total length: Without collar, measured from mid front collarbone to hem (46, 47.5, 52.5) 54, 56, 57.5 {59.5, 61, 62} cm // (18.5, 19, 21) 21.5, 22.5, 23 {24, 24.5, 24.5} inches. Measured in front because the top is bodycon and needs to fit varying bust sizes.

NOTIONS

• Stitch-holder of any kind, you can also use scrap yarn
• 3 snap buttons or regular buttons of diameter 5 mm / 1/4 inch
• Removable stitch markers
• Darning needle / wool needle to weave-in your ends
• Sewing needle to sew on buttons
• 2.5 mm / US2 crochet hook if you want to use regular buttons (not snap buttons)
• Thin transparent elastic band if you want to use egular buttons (not snap buttons)
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

This is an original design by CraftyChiara, all rights reserved.