Description:
Worked top-down in the round, made-to-measure based off of your own measurements.
The body starts with a picot folded hem with evenly spaced yarn-over buttonholes, then includes bust increases for your custom measurements. Short-rows beginning at the fullest point of the bust and bust dart decreases below the bust create a snug fit and add a princess-seam design feature. After hip increases along the sides, the top ends with a curved front hem with more feminine picot details. The detachable sleeves are knitted flat separately and can be joined to the top with ribbon, i-cord, or buttons. The button-holes along the top give you endless strap options to choose from :)
The pattern includes the steps on how to calculate stitch and row counts based off of your own measurements, but also includes a link to a google sheet that will do all the calculations for you based on the measurements you input.
Fit and measurements:
The top has ~4"/10cm of negative ease, giving it a snug fit. You'll need to take the following measurements to make the top (the pattern will guide you on where to take the measurements):
- upper bust circumference (around your upper body, just below your armpits)
- full bust circumference (around your upper body at the fullest point of your bust)
- waist circumference (measure around your natural waistline)
- hip circumference (where the bottom of your top will hit)
- vertical length from your upper bust to your full bust (taken along the side of your body)
- vertical length from your upper bust to your waist (taken along the side of your body)
Tools needed:
- measuring tape
- circular knitting needles with at least a 16"/ 40cm cable (longer cable for larger bust sizes). Note that you can use whatever needle size works with the yarn you choose though! For my sample, I used US5 / 3.75mm circular knitting needles
- 4mm crochet hook (optional, for adding picot detail to the detachable straps)
- 4 stitch markers
- spare knitting needle for completing folded hems (can be similar size or smaller to the primary needles)
- tapestry needle
Materials needed:
- recommended yarn - Knit Picks Gloss DK (70% merino, 30% silk). My sample (34" bust) used 337yds/308m including the straps.
- you can substitute for your own yarn choice that is between fingering to worsted weight, but it must include a fiber that has stretch to it (such as wool or elastic blends) because the negative ease requires stretchy fiber. Yarns that are made up of only cotton, alpaca, silk, or linen may not have the stretch you need unless they're blended with wool or elastic.
- tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- 4 stitch markers
- elastic thread (optional - for weaving elastic through the top band, to ensure an extra secure fit when wearing as a tube top)
- 1/4" - 1" thick ribbons for straps (optional)
Gauge
- my sample was knitted with: 16st, 26rows in 4"x4" or 10cm x 10cm swatch
- you can use the same yarn and needle size to achieve the same gauge, or can choose your own yarn + needle size and use your own gauge in the calculations
Techniques Used:
- long-tail cast on
- knitting in the round
- yarn-overs
- picot folded hem
- left- and right-leaning increases and decreases
- German Short Rows
- crocheted picot edge (for straps)
