Linen Top By Samantha Stadter Bitchcraft March 2018

Another summer pattern! This one made with some dreamy, crunchy linen. Having only dabbled in linen in years past, I am determined to master it this year. Knitting with it is wayyy different than the single ply merino I tend to use, but the results are just so freaking perfect for summer pieces that it is worth it. I usually prefer stainless steel needles, but definitely recommend using bamboo or driftwood for working with this yarn to keep it from sliding off your needles. I also recommend tightly winding it into a ball by hand. Every time I would try to ball it up on my winder, it would fly off across the room. Here’s a handy video if you need help with that. I use the method that begins at 3:58.

The top is worked seamlessly, top down. First, the upper back is worked flat, using short rows to shape the shoulders. Then, stitches are picked up at the shoulders to form the front pieces. The front pieces are joined and worked back and forth, before being joined with the back to begin working in the round.

The lace panel is 49 stitches wide and worked over 6 rows. The feather and fan style of the lace curves naturally, creating the swooped neckline that continues down to the lower edge. Keep in mind that the instructions for the lace panel change slightly when you begin working in the round.

The top measures about 43” at the bust. I designed it for myself to wear with 8″ of positive ease. However, it could fit anywhere from a 34-42” bust, depending on how much ease you want. If you’d like to make the top smaller or larger, I’d recommend knitting at a slightly smaller or larger gauge. Be aware that if you do this, you may want to adjust the armhole length to suit your needs.

MATERIALSPurlSoho,FieldLinen,2skeins24”US5circularneedleTapestryneedle4stitchmarkersGAUGE4”=20stitchesand32rowsinstockinettestitchonUS5needles

Linen Top By Samantha Stadter Bitchcraft March 2018

LACEPANEL:Workedover49stitchesand6rowsWorkingFlat

Row1(rightside):knitallstitchesRow2(wrongside):knitallstitchesRow3:Knit2together8times,(yo,knit1)8times,knit1,(knit1,yo)8times,SKPO8times.Row4:purlallstitchesRow5:knitallstitchesRow6:knitallstitches

WorkingintheRoundRow1:knitallstitchesRow2:purlallstitchesRow3:k2tog8times,(yo,knit1)8times,knit1,(knit1,yo)8times,SKPO8times.Row4:knit1rowRow5:knitallstitchesRow6:purlallstitches

PATTERNBACKCaston109stitchesusingthelongtailcaston.Row1(wrongside):purlallstitchesRow2(rightside):knituntilthereare6stitchesremaining.Wrapandturn.Row3:purluntilthereare6stitchesremaining.Wrapandturn.Row4:knitto6stitchesbeforethewrappedstitch.Wrapandturn.Row5:purlto6stitchesbeforethewrappedstitch.Wrapandturn.Repeatrows4and5,3moretimes.Row12:knitacrossallstitches,pickingupthewrapsandworkingthemtogetherwithastitchasyoucomeacrossthem.Row13:purlacrossallstitches,pickingupthewrapsandworkingthemtogetherwithastitchasyoucomeacrossthem.Nowthatyou’veshapedtheshoulders,workeveninstockinettestitchuntilthepiecemeasuresabout8”,endingwithawrongsiderow.Formethiswas44rows.Breakyarnandplacestitchesonholdtobeworkedlater.LEFTFRONTStartingatneckedgeofwearer’sleftshoulder,pickup32stitches.Row1(wrongside):purlallstitchesRow2(rightside):knituntilthereare6stitchesremaining.Wrapandturn.Row3:purltotheendofrow

Linen Top By Samantha Stadter Bitchcraft March 2018

Row4:knitto6stitchesbeforethewrappedstitch.Wrapandturn.Row5:purltotheendofrowRepeatrows4and5,2moretimes.Row10:knitacrossallstitches,pickingupthewrapsandworkingthemtogetherwithastitchasyoucomeacrossthem.Thenwork3rowseveninstockinettestitch.Caston45stitches.Breakyarnandplacestitchesonholdtobeworkedlater.RIGHTFRONTStartingatarmedgeofwearer’srightshoulder,pickup32stitches.Row1(wrongside):purlallstitchesRow2(rightside):knitallstitchesRow3:purluntilthereare6stitchesremaining.Wrapandturn.Row4:knittotheendofrowRow5:purlto6stitchesbeforewrappedstitch.Wrapandturn.Repeatrows4and5,2moretimes.Row10:knittotheendoftherowRow11:purlacrossallstitches,pickingupthewrapsandworkingthemtogetherwithastitchasyoucomeacrossthem.Work2rowseveninstockinettestitch.Donotbreakyarn.Youwillnowjointhetwofrontpieces.JOINFRONTSWithrightsideofrightfrontfacing,knit30stitches,placemarker,knit2.Withrightsideofleftfrontfacing,knitacrossthe45castonstitches,knit2,placemarker,knit30.Youhavenowjoinedthepieces.Beginworkingthelacepaneloverthecenter49stitches.Notethatyouwillusetheworkingflatpatterninstructions.Workevenlywithsidesinstockinetteandthecenterinthelacepattern,untilthepiecemeasuresthesameastheback,endingwithawrongsiderow.Youwillnowjointhefrontandbackpiecestoworkthebodyintheround.Notethatyouwillusetheworkingintheroundlacepatterninstructions.

BODY

Withrightsideoffrontpiecesfacing,workinpatternacrossthefront,placemarkertoindicatewherethefrontendsandbackbegins.Thenwiththerightsideofthebackpiecefacing,knitacrossthebackandplaceamarkertoindicatethestartoftheround.Jointhepiecestoworkintheround.Workabout2”inpatternasset,thenbegindecreasingtoshapethewaistasfollows:Decreaserow:Slipmarker,knit1,SKPO,workuntilthereare3stitchesbeforethe3rdmarker(theonebetweenthefrontandbackpieces),k2tog,knit1,slipmarker,knit1,SKPO,knituntilthereare3stitchesbeforethenextmarker,knit2together,knit1.Repeatthisdecreaserowevery8throw,8moretimes.Workuntilthepiecemeasuresabout10.5”fromthefront/backjoin,endingonrow6ofthelacepattern.Knit1rowandpurl1row,2times.Bindoffallstitchesloosely.

FINISHING

Linen Top By Samantha Stadter Bitchcraft March 2018

Weaveinendsyourends.Thelacewillbeverylumpyatthispoint.Blockwithahotsteamyironorwetblocktoevenoutthelace.Whenyou’reblocking,keepinmindthatthelacepanelwillswoopdownwardsquiteabit.FinallyshareyourworkwithmeonRavelryorInstagramanduse#samsweaterz.