Category Archives: Tops & Tees

Easy Summer Knits: Tip Top Tank & Ankler’s Summer Shirt

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A pink knitted tank top with a deep V neckline and wide straps, hanging on a wooden hanger against a light background.

Tip Top Tank

This FREE tank top is designed to be an easy summer knit, and is the perfect simple project for warmer weather. The deep V neck is flattering to wear without being too revealing, and the straps are wide enough to hide your bra straps (hello practical!). Throw it on with shorts or a breezy skirt on a hot day, pair it with jeans in Autumn, or even make up a woolly version to wear as a vest over shirts in the cooler months.

The pattern includes instructions to knit it flat on straight needles, as well as in the round on circulars (woohoo no seams!). And with clear and simple instructions, both options would be suitable for first-time garment knitters who have tackled the basics of knitting and purling, and are up for learning some fun new techniques! The body is knit from the bottom up, and the length is easily customizable with suggestions for a cute crop as well as a longer version, making it a fantastic wardrobe staple.

Light green knitted tank top with wide straps tied in bows, displayed on a wooden hanger against a neutral background, with a greenery plant in the frame.

Size

  • XS (S, SM, M, ML, L, XL, XXL)
  • To Fit Bust: 76 (82, 88, 93, 99, 105, 112, 120) cm / 30 (32, 34.5, 36.5, 39, 41, 44, 47) inches
  • Finished Bust: 76 (82, 88, 93, 99, 105, 112, 120) cm / 30 (32, 34.5, 36.5, 39, 41, 44, 47 inches.
  • Designed to fit with approximately 0-2cm / 0-3/4” of positive ease depending on preferred fit.
  • Pictured here in size SM worn with zero ease at bust, and cropped length.
A person wearing a cropped pink tank top with a deep V neck, standing next to a green potted plant.

Yarn

Other Materials

A young woman wearing a light-colored short-sleeve top, black jeans, and sandals, walking along a sidewalk near construction fencing and overgrown grass.

Ankler’s Summer Shirt

I figured we can all use something to look forward to, and the seasons’ changing is one of those things you can always bank on (at least in Canada – we have A LOT of weather). Anker’s Summer Shirt is a simple summer top, worked in one piece from the top down. The yoke is worked in sections of rib with increases in the round, followed by classic raglan increases when the stockinette stitch section begins. The sleeves are worked at the end, either on double-pointed needles or on circular needles using the Magic Loop technique. Anker’s Summer Shirt has no finishing other than weaving in ends.

SEE FINISHED PROJECTS

A woman holding a baby sits on a beach, both dressed in summer attire. The woman is wearing a light-colored knitted top, while the baby is in a brown knitted outfit and a hat. They are surrounded by a beach scene with water and other people in the background.
Photo: PetiteKnit

Size

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL
  • To fit a bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39¼) 39¼-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ inches].
  • Total length: 52 (54) 56 (60) 62 (62) 64 cm [20½ (21¼) 22 (23½) 24½ (24½) 25¼ inches]
  • Sleeve length: 9 (9) 10 (10) 10 (10) 10 cm [3½ (3½) 4 (4) 4 (4) 4 inches]
  • Ease: The shirt is designed to have approx. 0-5 cm – [0-2 inches] – of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 0-5 cm – [0-2 inches] larger in circumference than your widest upper body measurement.
  • Measurements: The measurements for the finished garment are on the front page of the pattern (note that these measurements are only achieved if the correct gauge is kept). Before beginning your project, measure yourself with a measuring tape around your bust (or your widest upper body part) to determine which size will fit you the best. For example, if you measure 95 cm [37½ inches] you should knit a size M. A size M shirt has a finished circumference of 96 cm [37¾ inches], which in the given example would mean 1 cm [½ inches] of positive ease.

Yarn Options

Anker’s Summer Shirt is make with a Double Knitting weight yarn, and any of the following are all great choices, depending on what kind of garment you want.

Needles & Etc

Because there are several needles length required, this project is a good candidate for Interchangeable knitting needles. Also, if you aren’t great with double pointed needles you can substitute Chiaogoo 12″ circular needles or Addi Easy Knit 10″ needles.

A split image showing two variations of a summer top. The left side features a light beige knitted shirt with a round neckline and short sleeves, while the right side displays a similar shirt in a slightly different color, worn by a person holding a pottery cup and knitting needles.

Discover the Versatile Sauvie Top Pattern

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A model wearing a sleeveless, light brown knitted top with a button closure, set against a natural outdoor background with greenery and flowers.

Sauvie

I’ve been offering you lots of super simple looks lately (I know you’ve been into the Sabai Top & Sweater), but I know some of you prefer to dig into something a little more involved. Sauvie is a new pattern and I thought it’s a super pretty little top, or you could wear it as a vest over a shirt, so versatile too. The tension of 20sts over 4″ is perfect to use Sandnes Garn Line.

A person wearing a light brown knitted vest over a white skirt, standing in a field with greenery and flowers, with a wide-brimmed straw hat.

Construction

Sauvie is worked from the top down. Back is worked first to base of armhole, then front shoulders are picked up and worked down. Fronts and back are joined and worked to hem. Neck and arm trims are picked up and worked in 1×1 rib. Front bands are picked up and worked in double-knit. Choose the size with 1-4” / 2.5-10 cm of positive ease.

A woman riding a bicycle in a field, wearing a light brown knitted top, a wide-brimmed hat, and a flowing white skirt. A basket on the bicycle contains flowers.

Size

  • 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  • Finished Bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64, 68)” / 81 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152, 162.5, 172.5) cm bust circumference
  • Shown in size 2 with +0-4” / 0-10 cm
  • Choose the size with 1-4” / 2.5-10 cm of positive ease.
A model wearing a sleeveless beige top with buttons, paired with a flowing white skirt, standing in a field with flowers in the background.

Materials

A model wearing a knitted vest with buttons, paired with a flowing white skirt and a wide-brimmed hat, stands next to a bicycle adorned with flowers in a scenic outdoor setting.
A woman holding a flower while wearing a short, sleeveless, beige knitted top with buttons and a white skirt, standing against a light background.

SABAI Top Knitting Pattern | Ideal for Beginners | Knit with Sandes Garn Line

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Sabai

The SABAI top is a light and airy summer top with a boat neckline. It’s super easy to knit, requires only a few techniques and is therefore ideal for beginners. You can make it with the ribbed collar or just stocking stitch for a simpler rolled edge. I recommend using a DK weight cotton blend like Sandnes Garn Line, for a light, cool, easily washable summer knit.

Construction

The SABAI top is worked seamlessly top down. First, the neckline border is worked in the round in a 1/1 rib stitch pattern and increases are worked for the slanted shoulders. For the armholes, front and back parts are worked separately back and forth. The stitches of front and back are then joined and worked in the round again. The top ends with a narrow ribbed border with a rolled edge. As the top is knitted from the top down, it is possible (and advisable) to try it on while knitting so that the length can be individually adjusted.

Techniques used: left- and right leaning knitted and purled increases.

Size

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (XXL)
  • To fit chest circumference: 74-81 (82-89) 90-97 (98-107) 108-117 (118-127) cm / 30-32
    (33-35) 36-38 (38-42) 43-46 (47-50)”
  • Finished Chest circumference: 85 (91) 99 (109) 121 (131) cm / 33.4 (35.8) 39 (42.9) 47.6
    (51.6)”
  • The top can be worn snug with approx. 0 – 2 cm / 0 – 0.8” positive ease, but also works well with a little more room to move (5 – 8 cm / 2 – 3.2” positive ease). For example, if you have a chest circumference of 90 cm / 35.4”, you should choose between size S and M.
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Materials

Other Yarn Options

Lacey Loop Tee: Perfect for Summer Knitting

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Lacey Loop Tee

One of the tops I’ve seen trending lately is the Lacey Loop Tee by Other Loops. The Lacey Loop Tee has a loose fit, a classic round neck and is detailed with stripes consisting of purl stitches, a feminine eyelet pattern and a unique ribbing edge. You can make this classic top in Berroco Modern Cotton or Sandnes Garn Line for a comfortable summer knit!

Construction

The t-shirt is worked from top to bottom. First stitches are cast on for the back piece, which is worked back and forth with short rows to shape the upper back. Then stitches are picked up along the shoulder edges and the shoulders are worked back and forth individually. The two shoulders are joined for the front by casting on stitches mid-front. The front and back piece are then joined, and the body is worked in the round and finished with a ribbing edge consisting of eyelets and purl stitches. Neck stitches are picked up around the neckline and the neck is worked in the round in ribbing. To create a nice finish, the last four rounds are worked in double knitting, followed by Italian bind off. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armholes and sleeves are worked in the round. Stripes are created with purl stitches and eyelets according to a chart across the whole t-shirt. The first part of the pattern describes the chart row-for-row.

Size

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (XXL)
  • Finished Bust Circumference: 109 (116) 120 (125) 131 (138) cm.
  • Length: 52 (52) 52 (57) 57 (57) cm, measured from under the neckline on the back piece.
  • The t-shirt has a positive ease of 25-30 cm which gradually decreases for the larger sizes.
  • The t-shirt shown is size S with a positive ease of 30 cm.

YARN OPTIONS

NEEDLES

In Berroco Modern Cotton:

In Sandnes Garn Line:

PROJECT Satawal Top

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Satawal

Satawal is a cropped tee with a simple lace pattern around a boat neck, which looks a bit like a Macramé texture. You can use various weights of yarn, from fingering weight for airy and transparent texture to worsted weight yarn for mid season garment (we used Berroco Modern Cotton on 6mm/US10 needles).

Our Project

We made the second size (size small) with 2 skeins of Berroco Modern Cotton in colour 1648 Abbot Run). It measures approximately 20″ wide (40″ bust circumference) and 20″ tall from top of shoulder to hem (you can of course make it longer if you want to). If you feel like the neck is too wide you can always seam it and make it a closer neck. The fabric has a lot of stretch, and at this tension you’ll probably want to wear it over a light camisole. It’s meant to be worn loose and oversized, with lots of ease!

Modern Cotton is a soft, easy to knit, and very machine washable blend of cotton and Modal Rayon (which is viscose, a plant based cellulose fibre, much like bamboo). It’s easy to wear in warmer weather, and it’s also great for people with allergies to wool or other animal fibres, or who knit vegan.

Many thanks to Erica for whipping up this beautiful top!!! And many thanks to Gru for sitting for photos without having to be bribed or making a mess.

Construction

The pattern is worked seamlessly from the top down. The lace pattern for the yoke is worked in the round with increases at the both right and left shoulders, then the body is divided into the front and the back and worked flat separately to the underarm, where they are joined again. The lower body is knitted in one piece in the round. Sleeve stitches are picked up along armholes and worked in the round.

Note

Size

  • XS (S, M1, M2, L)( XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)
  • To fit an actual bust circumference of: 81 (86, 92, 97, 103)(109, 115, 120,126) cm / 32 (34, 36, 38, 41)(43, 45, 47, 50)”
  • Finished bust circumference: 94 (100, 106, 111, 117)(123, 129, 131, 134) cm / 37 (39¼, 41½, 43¾, 46)(48¼, 50½, 51¼, 52¼)”

Materials

PROJECT Ranunculus in Remix Light

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Ranunculus

We worked up this little top (Ranunculus) as an experiment to see how far we could stretch one skein of Berroco Remix Light – it turns out it can go the distance! Remix Light is a very popular little sprig and summer yarn that ticks a lot of boxes:

  • It’s very light and has double the yardage of an average cotton summer yarn (100g/400m)
  • It’s machine washable
  • It’s soft and comfortable to wear
  • It’s comfortable and easy to work with
  • It’s eco-friendly, and made from a blend of recycled fibres: Cotton, Linen, Silk, Acrylic, and Nylon.
  • It’s made in the first world (France), so no slave labour involved, just unionized, properly paid EU workers
  • It’s affordable and only costs $16.47/ball

We made the smallest size in the short sleeve and it only took ONE ball. Most of the sizes, long and short-sleeved, use two balls … making it a VERY affordable project. The pattern has instructions for both a short and a long sleeve version, and it is knit from the top-down, so you can make your sleeves any length you want.

Size

We made the short-sleeved version in Size 1 on 5.5mm/US9 & 4.5mm/US7 needles, and the combination of the needle size and the unique qualities of the yarn’s fibres made ours come out smaller than the pattern. Our tension was 18 sts & 26 rows = 4″/10cm (un-stretched) – this is a big difference to the pattern, which is a gauge of 14 sts & 20 rows = 4″/10cm.

Our garment ended up smaller than the pattern specifications: it measures 18″ across the chest (36″ bust) and 16″ high from the back of the neck to the bottom ribbing … a big drop from the pattern’s 46″ bust circumference. That said, I’m extremely happy with the finished project! It’s am amazing little top, and the size is just right for someone who wears a size XS or S. The fit is cropped, and after trying it on I’d say it’s a roomy fitting size small, or oversized XS. The fabric is very stretchy, it has a lot of give and a surprising amount of memory! It is very light and doesn’t have a ton of drape. We used the majority of 1 skein of yarn, and only had about 3g left (we used approx. 375m, or 5m more than the pattern suggested).

If you choose to follow our lead and use the yarn & needle combo we did (and your tension is the same) you can probably estimate the size will come out 20% smaller than the pattern recommends (ours was 22% smaller), so multiply the finished size by 0.78 got get a good idea of where yours will end up (see the measurements in bold below, I did the math for you).

  • 1 (2, 3, 4)(5, 6, 7)(8, 9, 10, 11)
  • Pattern’s Finished bust circumference: 117 (123, 129, 134) (140, 146, 151)(157, 166, 174, 180) cm / 46 (48.5, 50.75, 52.75)(55, 57.5, 59.5)(61.75, 65.25, 68.5, 70.75)”
  • Our Finished Bust Circumference (corrected to 18 sts/4″): 36(38, 40, 41.25)(43, 45, 46.5)(48.25, 51, 53.5, 55.25)”

Yarn

We used Berroco Remix Light, a very light and airy bend of recycled plant and synthetic fibres – perfect for warm weather! Because we used up a good amount of our yarn, I have factored that into the yardage suggestions below and leaned on the side of caution so you won’t run out.

Remix Light has a light, nubbly, tweedy texture, which lends itself perfectly to this particular project. See finished Ranunculi made with Berroco Remix Light.

Berroco Remix Light:

  • Short sleeve: 1(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 2) balls
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 3, 3, 3) balls

Other Great Spring & Summer Yarn Options

The pattern is written to be knit in a variety of yarn weights, from Lace to Worsted. Ideally, you want a solid or semi-solid coloured yarn, or a yarn that knits up in a very long, gradual ombre colourway, so you can see the details in the lace and textured stitches. The thinner the yarn, the lacier the sweater will be (yarn thickness goes from the thinnest at lace weight, then fingering, then DK, then worsted).

Berroco Modern Cotton (worsted weight – see finished projects):

  • Short sleeve: 2(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4, 4)
  • Long sleeve: 3 (3, 3, 4)(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5, 5)

Berroco Modern Cotton DK (DK weight):

  • Short sleeve: 2(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 3, 3, 3)
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3, 3)

SALE Cascade Ultra Pima (DK Weight – see finished projects);

  • Short sleeve: 2(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4, 4)
  • Long sleeve: 3 (3, 3, 4)(4, 4, 4)(4, 5, 5, 5)

SALE Berroco Pima Soft (DK weight):

  • Short sleeve: 4(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5)(6, 6, 6, 6)
  • Long sleeve: 5 (5, 6, 6)(6, 7, 7)(7, 8, 8, 8)

Schoppel Zauberball Cotton (fingering weight – see finished projects):

  • Short sleeve: 1(1, 1, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 2)
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 3, 3)

Materials

  • 5.5mm/US9 circular needles
  • 4.5mm/US7 circular needles
  • stitch markers
  • tapestry needle
  • Pattern

Guayaba Pretty Summer Knit Tee

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Guayaba

I love the floral patten motif of the Guayaba tee, the overall shape reinds me of a tulip or a lotus. Use Berroco Modern Cotton or Sandes Garn Line to make this pretty summer top!

The Guayaba tee is an oversize and slightly cropped summer top. It is decorated with evenly spaced, round lace patterns. This project has lots of ease, making it airy and comfortable during the greatest heat. The entire project is minimalistic, easy, quick and fun to make, as I believe, the perfect summer piece of garment should be. It will match both shorts and skirts or dresses!

Construction

The designs is worked almost completely seamlessly from the top down. Front stitches are cast on using a provisional cast-on method and, after shoulder and neckline shaping, joined and worked straight down to the underarm. Stitches for the back are picked up along the front shoulders and cast on for the back neck. After shoulder shaping, back is worked straight down to the underarm. Shoulders are shaped using German short rows. Back and front are joined together and continued straight in one piece down to the hem. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armholes. Hem and sleeve scallops are shaped using German short rows. Neckline stitches are picked up around neck opening and finished with one row of purl stitches.

Size

  • 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
  • Top circumference in chest: 97 (104, 112, 120, 128, 136, 144, 156, 164) cm / 38.25 (41, 44, 47.25, 50.5, 53.5, 56.75, 61.5, 64.5)“
  • Suggested positive ease: 12-20 cm / 4.75 – 8”
  • The pictures show size 2, with 18 cm / 7” ease.

Yarn Options

Other Materials

SABAI Top Knitting Pattern | Ideal for Beginners | Knit with Berroco Modern Cotton DK

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nor

Sabai

The SABAI top is a light and airy summer top with a boat neckline. It’s super easy to knit, requires only a few techniques and is therefore ideal for beginners. You can make it with the ribbed collar or just stocking stitch for a simpler rolled edge. I recommend using a DK weight cotton blend like Berroco Modern Cotton DK, for a light, cool, easily washable summer knit.

Construction

The SABAI top is worked seamlessly top down. First, the neckline border is worked in the round in a 1/1 rib stitch pattern and increases are worked for the slanted shoulders. For the armholes, front and back parts are worked separately back and forth. The stitches of front and back are then joined and worked in the round again. The top ends with a narrow ribbed border with a rolled edge. As the top is knitted from the top down, it is possible (and advisable) to try it on while knitting so that the length can be individually adjusted.

Techniques used: left- and right leaning knitted and purled increases.

Size

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (XXL)
  • To fit chest circumference: 74-81 (82-89) 90-97 (98-107) 108-117 (118-127) cm / 30-32
    (33-35) 36-38 (38-42) 43-46 (47-50)”
  • Finished Chest circumference: 85 (91) 99 (109) 121 (131) cm / 33.4 (35.8) 39 (42.9) 47.6
    (51.6)”
  • The top can be worn snug with approx. 0 – 2 cm / 0 – 0.8” positive ease, but also works well with a little more room to move (5 – 8 cm / 2 – 3.2” positive ease). For example, if you have a chest circumference of 90 cm / 35.4”, you should choose between size S and M.
nor

Materials

PROJECTS Holey Tops

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Corran Cardigan

I kinda love an all-over mesh lace sweater (like Look at My Holes or Menden – it’s pretty but also mod and and very retro, all at the same time. The Corran Cardigan is an all-over lace cardigan, knit seamlessly from the bottom up with drop shoulders (this means you’ll be picking up stitches for the sleeves). There are two neckline options: round and V-neck and two sleeve lengths. This pattern can be knit in a wide variety of fibres making it a perfect transitional piece. To see the Corran knit in a variety of yarns and with various modifications, please see the #CorranCardigan on Instagram.

Corran is knit with worsted weight yarn, giving you lots of options for fibres suitable for cool or warm weather (I HEART pragmatic designers, they really understand knitters).

Size

  • Finished Bust Circumference: 37.5(40.75, 44.25, 47.5, 51) (54.25, 57.75, 61, 64) inches OR 86.5 (95, 103.5, 112.5, 121, 129.5) (138, 146.5, 155, 163.5) cm
  • Recommended Ease: 2-8 cm/0.75-3.5 inches

Yarn Options: Short Sleeve

Yarn Options: Long Sleeve

Other Materials

  • 5mm/US8 needles (see pattern for full details)
  • 4mm/US6 needles (see pattern for full details)
  • tapestry needle
  • PATTERN
Photo: James N Watts

Look At My Holes

I love holes, I love mesh, I love me some BIG lace!

#LookAtMyHoles is a top down, seamless raglan crop top with a simple lace repeat creating large holes all around the garment. The combination of large needles and the lace motif make this an incredibly low yardage pattern. Perfect for layering, this top is designed to be worn with coordinating tank top, #AsFriendsTank by Jessie Mae Martinson. Look at My Holes also looks cool on its own, but for the full effect of the #LookAtMyHolesAsFriendsSet you need to make both!

Photo: Discostitch

Sizes

  • XS(S, M, L, XL) (XXL, 3X, 4X, 5X)
  • To fit chest measurement of: 30(34, 38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58, 62)“ 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117) (127, 137, 147.5, 157.5)cm
  • Garment is designed to be worn with 2-6” (5-15cm) positive ease at the chest.
  • Finished garment chest measurements: 35.5(37.75, 40, 44.5, 49.25) (53.75, 58.25, 62.75, 67.5)“ 90(96, 101.5, 113, 125) (136.5, 148, 159.5, 171.5)cm

Materials

PROJECT Satawal Top

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Satawal

Satawal is a cropped tee with a simple lace pattern around a boat neck, which looks a bit like a Macramé texture. You can use various weights of yarn, from fingering weight for airy and transparent texture to worsted weight yarn for mid season garment (we used Berroco Modern Cotton on 6mm/US10 needles).

Our Project

We made the second size (size small) with 2 skeins of Berroco Modern Cotton in colour 1648 Abbot Run). It measures approximately 20″ wide (40″ bust circumference) and 20″ tall from top of shoulder to hem (you can of course make it longer if you want to). If you feel like the neck is too wide you can always seam it and make it a closer neck. The fabric has a lot of stretch, and at this tension you’ll probably want to wear it over a light camisole. It’s meant to be worn loose and oversized, with lots of ease!

Modern Cotton is a soft, easy to knit, and very machine washable blend of cotton and Modal Rayon (which is viscose, a plant based cellulose fibre, much like bamboo). It’s easy to wear in warmer weather, and it’s also great for people with allergies to wool or other animal fibres, or who knit vegan.

Many thanks to Erica for whipping up this beautiful top!!! And many thanks to Gru for sitting for photos without having to be bribed or making a mess.

Construction

The pattern is worked seamlessly from the top down. The lace pattern for the yoke is worked in the round with increases at the both right and left shoulders, then the body is divided into the front and the back and worked flat separately to the underarm, where they are joined again. The lower body is knitted in one piece in the round. Sleeve stitches are picked up along armholes and worked in the round.

Note

Size

  • XS (S, M1, M2, L)( XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)
  • To fit an actual bust circumference of: 81 (86, 92, 97, 103)(109, 115, 120,126) cm / 32 (34, 36, 38, 41)(43, 45, 47, 50)”
  • Finished bust circumference: 94 (100, 106, 111, 117)(123, 129, 131, 134) cm / 37 (39¼, 41½, 43¾, 46)(48¼, 50½, 51¼, 52¼)”

Materials