Use coupon code KEW for 20% off when you purchase two or more patterns from the Kew Garden Collection (Daisy, Pamela and Rosie)

Pamela, she’s late summer evenings in the garden after a long day spent frolicking in the sun; she’s the smell of the Sweet peas and Jasmine scaling the garden fence and the taste of a zingy cocktail as its citrusy notes pass your lips.

The Pamela Bandeau was inspired by the Victorian charm of the glasshouses in Kew Gardens – reflected in style but not in promiscuity! As well as the beautiful palms found within the glasshouses, with their fan-like leaves. I like to think of her as a Victorian Botanist travelling the world looking for new plant species.

She features a sweetheart neckline, a ribbed back, an elastic channel and a rolled hem.

Pamela is knitted from the waist upwards in the round, before the channel for the elastic is worked separately to form the back band and then the front is worked in short rows to form the sweetheart neckline, with each cup being worked separately.

Pamela is part of a three garment collection named the Kew Garden Collection, inspired by the beautiful botanical garden in my home town, London. All three are cropped tops but they are all very different:

• The Daisy Crop
• The Pamela Bandeau
• The Rosie Halter

XS (28-30”), S (32-34”), M (36-38”), L (40-42”), XL (44-46”), 2XL (48-50”), 3XL (52-54”), 4XL (56-58”), 5XL (60-62”)

The larger sizes of this pattern are based on the feedback I have received for the smaller sizes, if you would like to make this pattern in 3XL, 4XL or 5XL and would be happy to provide me feedback on the pattern, I will provide the pattern for free to ensure all sizes are tested. Please just send me a message and I will get back to you. Also, if you are sized outside of this range, please do let me know and I will be able to help grade the size for you.

Pamela can be knit up in a multitude of fibres (my testers have tried many) from acrylic to merino to cotton - my only recommendation is using something that has a little stability to help the crop top hold it’s shape through wear and something with a little give to help you get her on and off!

Customisation Tips:
➢ Add some length by adding additional rows after your cast on before you begin the increases;
➢ Add beads along the sweetheart neckline;
➢ Add tassels along the sweetheart neckline or along her bottom;
➢ Add straps – either ties over the should or a halter neck icord strap;
➢ Add embroidery – I’ll be adding some embroidery to my samples in the near future – a flower on each bosom or a fan;
➢ Use bold statement yarn, maybe neon or a fade;
➢ Add a contrasting border – complete the back band and the garter border for the sweetheart neckline in a contrasting colour to frame Pamela!

The possibilities are endless – I cannot wait to see how you customise yours!

Please create project pages on Ravelry and tag me on Instagram (@PonderandPly) using the hashtag #ThePamelaBandeau - so I can see all your beautiful versions!!