Solstice Top

Description

When I think of the summer solstice, I imagine the first day of summer being filled with kisses of warm air on my still untanned skin, and the sun celebrating its favorite season by offering its presence for even longer than usual. The joyful energy feels like the promise of a summer filled with special moments, to create memories that will warm the heart during the colder months. Lively summers and warm happiness inspired me to make this design. The Solstice Top is a joyful garment with some sweet details: a rolling edge at the neckline, slightly puffed sleeves against drop shoulders and a lace panel embellished with bobbles. With its loose fit and top-down construction that allows the knitter to make either a long top or a cropped one, this simple tee is flattering on bodies of all shapes and sizes.

Construction
This top is worked from the top-down, almost seamlessly, with a simple drop shoulder construction. The front shoulder pieces are worked first then joined together where the front lace panel begins. The front piece is worked down to the underarms and put on hold. The back piece is worked in one piece, from the top, down to the underarms. The front and back pieces are then joined and the top is worked in the round from that point, evenly, and ends with a ribbing section. Shoulders are sewn together, and the sleeves start by picking up stitches in a way that creates a little puffed shoulder. They are then worked top-down, in the round. The sleeve width is decreased before working the final ribbing. Finally, the neckline stitches are picked up and a rolling edge is worked.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12)

Finished bust:
32.25 (33.75, 36, 38.25) (40.25, 43.5, 46.25, 49.25) (52, 55.25, 58.5, 61) inches /
82 (85.5, 91.5, 97) (102, 110.5, 117.5, 125) (132, 140.5, 148.5, 155) cm

Recommended ease: To be worn with approx. 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) of positive ease. Pick a size larger than your bust circumference.

Sample shown is knit in size 3, worn with 2 inches (5 cm) of ease.

Yarn
Light Fingering or Fingering weight, Malabrigo Sock (100% Superwash Merino Wool), 440 yds (402 m) per 100-g skein
Shown In 803 Ochre (2 2, 3, 3 4, 4, 5, 5 skeins)

Yardage / Meterage
789 (854, 934, 1006) (1088, 1206, 1354, 1456) (1587, 1722, 1895, 1987) yds
721 (781, 854, 920) (995, 1103, 1238, 1331) (1451, 1575, 1733, 1817) meters

Note: The indicated yardage will create a garment that hits at the top of hips. The length is customizable. Plan for more yardage to achieve a longer top.