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.

PATTERN IN TESTING

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

If you want to test this pattern, you can still sign up for testing here. EDIT: New deadline for test-knitting is May 17th, 2024!

If you want to be placed on my crochet and knitting pattern tester list, you can register here.

The pattern will most likely be released by the end of May 2024. Stay tuned!

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.

Yarn
Sostrene Grene Organic 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

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 measurement for the gauge.
3.5mm stockinette st 24sts x 32r (not stretched)
3.5mm stockinette st 14sts x 22r (fully stretched), more stretch is okay, less stretch should not result in stretched gauge of more than 18sts per 10cm/4”.

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

Sizes
Sizes available are
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL 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.
EDIT: Please let me know if this sizing does not cover your size. I’ll happily adjust it.

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.

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. Please use the measurements indicated at the sizes-section to find the right fit for you. The following are the measurements of the finished garment. Because of the negative ease, these will be smaller than the measurements of your body.
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) 39 inches
Circumference at hem: 61 (64.5) 71.5 (76.5) 83.5 (90.5) 97.5 (104.5) 110 cm // 24 (22.5) 25.5 (27.5) 29.5 (32) 34 (37) 39 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

Additional Material

• Stitch-holder of any kind
• 3 buttons of 0.5mm diameter or 3 snap buttons of similar size

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