Tyto Alba is a decorative top featuring Raised Chevron and an Alpine-like stitch to emulate the feathers of a barn owl.

Tyto Alba is made from the bottom up in one big long strip and slip-stitched together at the top of the straps. A chevron collar is then attached to the neckline.

This is a measure-along crochet guide in US terms.

Tyto Alba features post stitches, monstrous decreases and fiddly bits. You will need to know how to sc, dc, fpdc, bpdc, fptr, dc3tog, dc5tog and fpdc9tog.

You will need some experience in fitting clothes to your body and I wouldn’t recommend this pattern to absolute beginners.

I don’t give exact stitch counts but I will give you my methods for working out how to fit this top to you. As well as a full-colour 38 page pattern, I have also included links to a walk-through photo guide, some basic YouTube tutorial videos and a printer friendly version.

This is a measure along so you don’t have to use exactly what I’ve used.

I used a 3.5mm hook with a dk mercerised cotton yarn in the cream and gold version shown here. I’ve also used wool and acrylic in subsequent versions.

I’m an XL with a bust of 46” and an underbust of 36” and personally I would stay between dk and worsted/aran for my size.

I used 556g of dk mercerised cotton which was around 1118m/1223y with the full collar.

You will need lacing or buttons, needles for weaving in ends and stitch markers will help!