Summer Breeze

 A beginner top, worked in stockinette with a small touch of texture at the hems. Simple shaping makes this top a breeze to knit. The crochet chain at the edge of the sleeve cap gives the top a special gathered look without the effort of creating pleats.

Loom: 28” Knitting Board with Peg Extenders. Loom with 97 (107, 117, 127) pegs in regular gauge is recommended. .

Yarn: Approx 700-900 yards of worsted weight cotton blend. Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Peapod was used in sample.

Notions: Knitting tool, tapestry needle, crochet hook size I, stitch holder (or piece of contrasting color yarn), measuring tape, 4 stitch coiless markers.

Size: 34 (36, 38, 40) inches across chest. Picture shows size 34.

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette (using the knit stitch). It is imperative to get the stitch gauge accurate, rows gauge can be different as you can work more/less rows to achieve the desired length.

This top is intended to have a loose fit.

Abbreviations

K=knit stitch    P=purl stitch  Rep=repeat  Rem=remain  st=stitch  BBO=Basic Bind off

k2tog=a decrease where you knit two stitches together. Loops from two pegs are placed on one peg and worked together as one peg.

INSTRUCTIONS

Back

Cable cast on 97 (107, 117, 127) sts, prepare to work a flat panel.

Row 1: *k1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 2: *p1, k1: rep from * to last st, p1.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2: 8x (16 rows total from cast on edge).

Row 17: k to the end of the row.

Rep Row 17 until panel measures: 24 (25, 26, 27 (or desired torso length)) inches from cast on edge.

BBO. Weave ends in. Block.

Front

Work as for Back until panel has: 34 (36, 42, 48) rows less than for Back.

Next row: k40 (45, 50, 55), BBO 17, k40 (45, 50, 55). Place the first 40 (45, 50, 55) sts on a stitch holder.

Working on only 40 (45, 50, 55) sts from this point forward to shape the neckline.

Neckline Shaping

Next row: k40 (k45, k50, k55)

*Next row: k2, k2tog, k to the end of row.

Next row: k*

Rep from * to * until only 24 (28, 30, 32) sts rem.

Next row: k

BBO.

Place the stitches from stitch holder back on knitting loom. Join yarn at peg 1 (at first outer stitch, opposite the inside bind off).

Follow same instructions as for the other side.

BBO. Weave ends in. Block Front.

Shoulder Bands
(make 2)

Cable cast on 97 (97, 103, 103), prepare to work a flat panel.

Row 1: *k1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 2: *p1, k1: rep from * to last st, p1.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2: 8x (16 rows total from cast on edge).

BBO. Weave end ins. Block.

Crochet Chain for Sleeves
(make 2)

Using crochet hook, create a crochet chain that is 16 (18, 20, 22) inches long.

Assembly

At the Back, place a a coiless stitch marker at 9 ¾ (9 ¾ , 10 ¾ , 10 ¾ ) inches from the shoulder top on each side of the top. Repeat with the Front. Stitch markers on Back should line up with the Front stitch markers.

Seam the shoulders using an invisible horizontal seaming method.

Seam the Back to the Front at the sides using the mattress stitch, stop when you reach the coiless stitch markers.

Seam the Sleeve bands to the armhole openings using the invisible vertical to horizontal seaming method.

Using the tapestry needle, pass the crochet chain through the edge of the Sleeve Bands, be sure to line up the ends of the chain so they are at the top of the shoulder.