Lavender Lace Top

Time: Week Project.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizes written as 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9): Finished Bust Size 32.75 (36.5, 40.5, 44.5, 48.5) (52.25, 56.25, 60.25, 64.25)” to fit bust 28.75 (32.5, 36.5, 40.5, 44.5) (48.25, 52.25, 56.25, 60.25)”.

4” positive ease recommended.

Shown in size 40.5”

Gauge: 17 sts and 27 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st in the round after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn: Pascuali Nepal (60% organic Cotton, 40% Linen; 197 yards [180 meters] / 3,53 ounces [100 grams]): Color 23 Lavendel (2 (2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4, 4) balls)

Needles: US size 2.5 3.0 mm and US size 3 3.25 mm, 24” circular needles

Notions: Markers, removable markers, stitch holders, cable needle, tapestry needle

Abbreviations

sm: Slip marker

pm: Place marker

Increases

m1r: Make one right. Insert left needle, from back to front under strand of yarn that runs between next st on left needle and last st on right needle; knit this st through front loop (1 right – slanting st increased). Watch video

m1l: Make one left. Insert left needle, from front to back under strand of yarn that runs between next st on left needle and last st on right needle; knit this st through back loop (1 left – slanting st increased). Watch video

Worked purlwise:

m1rp: Make one right. Insert left needle, from back to front under strand of yarn that runs between next st on left needle and last st on right needle; purl this st through front loop (1 right– slanting st increased on WS, left slanting on RS). Watch video

m1lp: Make one left purlwise. Insert left needle, from front to back under strand of yarn that runs between next st on left needle and last st on right needle; purl this st through back loop (1 left– slanting st increased on WS, right slanting on RS). Watch video

Decreases

ssp: slip 2 sts as if to knit; return these sts back to the left needle, then purl them together through the back loop (1 left – slanting decrease in RS). Watch video

Pattern Notes

The top is worked starting at the back. Begin by knitting the back straps, working down toward the armholes. The stitches from the straps are then picked up to knit the front from the top-down. The neckline is shaped while working the lace chart to the armholes. Once front and back are joined, the piece is worked in the round to the desired length. The neck opening is finished, and the arm edges develop a gradual i-cord finish as you knit.

The pattern is divided into the following sections:

1. Back
   1.1 Right strap (wearing side)
   1.2 Left strap
   1.3 Join back pieces
   1.4 Armhole increases to reach back bust width
2. Front
   2.1 Left front shoulder
   2.2 Right front shoulder
   2.3 Join front pieces
   2.4 Armhole increases to match back bust width
3. Join back and front, work in the round
4. Finishing

This pattern features a unique top-down construction combined with in-round finishing, with i-cord edges forming naturally as you knit.

Pattern

Section 1: Back

1.1 Right strap (wearing direction)

Cast on 17 (18, 19, 17, 18) (20, 17, 19, 22) sts.

Set-up Row (WS): P3, k1, p to end.

Row 1 (RS): K2, YO, k3, k2tog, k1, yo, k to last 4 sts, p1, k3. (1 st inc. 18 (19, 20, 18, 19) (21, 18, 20, 23) sts).

Row 2 (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, p until next YO of previous Row, p1, YO, p1, p2tog, p3, YO, p2. (1 st inc. 19 (20, 21, 19, 20) (22, 19, 21, 24) sts).

Repeat Rows 1-2 another 6 (6, 6, 8, 8) (8, 10, 10, 10) times more. (12 (12, 12, 16, 16) (16, 20, 20, 20) sts inc. 31 (32, 33, 35, 36) (38, 39, 41, 44) sts in total).

Leave the stitches on hold to join them later to the back left strap. Cut the yarn.

1.2 Left strap

Cast on 17 (18, 19, 17, 18) (20, 17, 19, 22) sts.

Set-up Row (WS): P to last 4 sts, k1, p3.

Row 1 (RS): K3, p1, k5 (6, 7, 5, 6) (8, 5, 7, 10), YO, k1, ssk, k3, yo, k2. (1 st inc. 18 (19, 20, 18, 19) (21, 18, 20, 23) sts).

Row 2 (WS): P2, yo, p3, ssp, p1, yo, p to last 4 sts, k1, sl3p wyif. (1 st inc. 19 (20, 21, 19, 20) (22, 19, 21, 24) sts).

Row 3 (RS): K3, p1, K3, p1, k until next YO of previous row, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k3, yo, k2. (1 st inc. 20 (21, 22, 20, 21) (23, 20, 22, 25) sts).

Row 4 (WS): P2, yo, p3, ssp, p1, yo, p to last 4 sts, p1, Sl3p wyif. (1 st inc. 21 (22, 23, 21, 22) (24, 21, 23, 26) sts).

Repeat Rows 3-4 another 5 (5, 5, 7, 7) (7, 9, 9, 9) times more. (10 (10, 10, 14, 14) (14, 18, 18, 18) sts inc. 31 (32, 33, 35, 36) (38, 39, 41, 44) sts in total).

Do not cut the yarn.

1.3 Join backs

Start working sts of left strap, where you have the yarn.

Next Row (RS): K3, p1, k until next YO of previous row, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k5, cast on 1 st, place right strap sts on left needle and continue working, k5, k2tog, k1, yo, k to last 4 sts, p1, k3. (63 (65, 67, 71, 73) (77, 79, 83, 89) sts).

Next Row (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, p until next YO of previous Row, p1, YO, p1, p2tog, p9, ssp, p1, yo, p to last 4 sts, k1, sl3p wyif.

Next Row (RS): K3, p1, k until next YO of previous row, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k7, k2tog, k1, yo, k to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Next Row (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, p until next YO of previous Row, p1, YO, p1, p2tog, p5, ssp, p1, yo, p to last 4 sts, k1, sl3p wyif.

Next Row (RS): K3, p1, k until next YO of previous row, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, yo, k to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Next Row (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, p until next YO of previous Row, p1, YO, p1, p2tog, p1, ssp, p1, yo, p to last 4 sts, k1, sl3p wyif.

Begin Chart (restarting row numbers at 1 for convenience)

On next Row place marker to delimit the back chart and start working it:

Row 1 (RS): K3, p1, k17 (18, 19, 21, 22) (24, 25, 27, 30), pm, work Row 1 of Back Central Chart, pm, k to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Row 2 (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, p17 (18, 19, 21, 22) (24, 25, 27, 30), sm, work Row 2 of Back Central Chart, sm, p to last 4 sts, k1, sl3p wyif.

Row 3 (RS): K3, p1, k to m, sm, work next Row of Back Central chart, sm, k to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Row 4 (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, p to m, sm, work next Row of Back Central Chart, sm, p to last 4 sts, k1, sl3p wyif.

Continue to advance by repeating Rows 3-4 until the piece measures 6 (5.5, 5.25, 5, 4.75) (4.5, 4.25, 3.75, 3.75)” /15.5 (14, 13.5, 12.5, 12) (11.5, 10.5, 9.5, 9.5) cm from the cast-on. End on a WS Row.

1.4 Armhole increases to reach back bust width

The curvature of the armhole has 2 areas of increases. The first one in which you increase only on RS; the second one in which you increase both on RS and on WS.

1. Increases on RS

Next Row (RS): K3, p1, m1l, k to m, sm, work next Row of Back Central Chart, sm, k to last 4 sts, m1r, p1, k3. (2 inc. 65 (67, 69, 73, 75) (79, 81, 85, 91) sts).

Next Row (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, p to m, sm, work next Row of Back Central Chart, sm, p to last 4 sts, k1, sl3p wyif.

Repeat last 2 Rows 1 (3, 4, 6, 7) (8, 9, 9, 10) times more. (2 (6, 8, 12, 14) (16, 18, 18, 20)

sts inc. 67 (73, 77, 85, 89) (95, 99, 103, 111) sts in total).

2. Increases on RS and WS

Next Row (RS): K3, p1, m1l, k to m, sm, work next Row of Back Central Chart, sm, k to last 4 sts, m1r, p1, k3. (2 inc. 69 (75, 79, 87, 91) (97, 101, 105, 113) sts).      

Next Row (WS): Sl3p wyif, k1, m1rp, p to m, sm, work next Row of Back Central Chart, sm, p to last 4 sts, m1lp, k1, sl3p wyif. (2 inc. 71 (77, 81, 89, 93) (99, 103, 107, 115) sts).

Repeat last 2 Rows 0 (1, 2, 2, 3) (4, 5, 6, 6) times more. (0 (4, 8, 8, 12) (16, 20, 24, 24)

sts inc. 71 (81, 89, 97, 105) (115, 123, 131, 139) sts in total).

Leave the stitches on hold to join them later to the front.

Cut the yarn.

Section 2: Front

2.1: Left front shoulder

With the RS facing you and starting at the right corner of the left strap, pick up and knit 17 (18, 19, 17, 18) (20, 17, 19, 22) sts (1 st per cast on st) along the left strap.

Set-up Row (WS): P2, k1, p to end.

Row 1 (RS): K to last 3 sts, p1, k2.

Row 2 (WS): Sl2p wyif, k1, p to end.

Repeat Rows 1-2 another 4 (4, 4, 2, 2) (2, 0, 0, 0) times more.

Start working the Front Chart for your size. You can also refer to the written description of the chart.

Start working the stitches in the left green box “Left Front Shoulder.” Pm to delimit the chart as follows:

Row 1 (RS): Work Row 1 of Left Front Shoulder for your Size, pm, k 0 (1, 2, 0, 1) (3, 0, 2, 5), p1, k2.

Row 2 (WS): Sl2p wyif, k1, p to m, sm, work next row of Left Front Shoulder.

Row 3 (RS): Work next Row of Left Front Shoulder for your Size, sm, k to last 3 sts, p1, k2.

Row 4 (WS): Sl2p wyif, k1, p to m, sm, work next row of Left Front Shoulder.

Continue working as in Rows 3-4, progressing in the chart until Row 20 (20, 20, 24, 24) (24, 29, 29, 29). Make the necessary increases shown in the chart and written instructions. (31 (32, 33, 35, 36) (38, 39, 41, 44) sts on the needles).

Cut yarn and leave stitches on the needle.

2.2: Right front shoulder

With the RS facing you and starting at the right corner of the right strap, pick up and knit 17 (18, 19, 17, 18) (20, 17, 19, 22) sts (1 st per cast on st) along the right strap.

Set-up Row (WS): P to last 3 sts, k1, p2.

Row 1 (RS): K2, p1, k to the end.

Row 2 (WS): P to last 3 sts, k1, Sl2p wyif.

Rows 3-10: Repeat Rows 1-2 another 4 (4, 4, 2, 2) (2, 0, 0, 0) times more.

Start working the stitches in the left green box “Right Front Shoulder.” Pm to delimit the chart as follows:

Row 1 (RS): K2, p1, k 0 (1, 2, 0, 1) (3, 0, 2, 5), pm, work Row 1 of Right Front Shoulder for your Size.

Row 2 (WS): Work next Row of Right Front Shoulder for your Size, sm, p to last 3 sts, k1, Sl2p wyif.

Row 3 (RS): K2, p1, k to m, sm, work next row of Right Front Shoulder for your Size.

Row 4 (WS): Work next Row of Right Front Shoulder for your Size, sm, p to last 3 sts, k1, Sl2p wyif.

Continue working as in Rows 3-4, progressing in the chart until Row 20 (20, 20, 24, 24) (24, 29, 29, 29). Make the necessary increases shown in the chart and written instructions. 31 (32, 33, 35, 36) (38, 39, 41, 44) sts in the needles.

2.3: Joining fronts

Next, both fronts are worked together.

Note: For the cast-on, you can use the Backwards Loop Cast-On method. Watch video

Next Row (RS): K2, p1, k to m, sm, work row 21 (21, 21, 25, 25) (25, 30, 30, 30) of Right Front Shoulder, cast on 1 st, continue working Left Front Shoulder Chart, sm, k to last 3 sts, p1, k2. 63 (65, 67, 71, 73) (77, 79, 83, 89) sts in total.

Next Row (WS): Sl2p wyif, k1, p to m, sm, work next Row of Front Chart, sm, p to last 3 sts, k1, sl2p wyif.

Next Row (RS): K2, p1, k to m, sm, work next Row of Front Chart, sm, k to last 3 sts, p1, k2.

Next Row (WS): Sl2p wyif, k1, p to m, sm, work next Row of Front Chart, sm, p to last 3 sts, k1, sl2p wyif.

Repeat last 2 Rows until you reach Row 36 (32, 30, 32, 30) (28, 32, 32, 32) of corresponding Front Chart.

2.4: Armhole increases to reach front bust width

Next, work on the curvature of the armhole as in the back.

1. Increases on RS

Next Row (RS): K2, p1, m1l, k to m, sm, work next Row of Front chart, sm, k to last 3 sts, m1r, p1, k2. (2 inc. 65 (67, 69, 73, 75) (79, 81, 85, 91) sts).

Next Row (WS): Sl2p wyif, k1, p to m, sm, work next Row of Front Chart, sm, p to last 3 sts, k1, sl2p wyif.

Repeat last 2 Rows 1 (3, 4, 6, 7) (8, 9, 9, 10) times more. (2 (6, 8, 12, 14) (16, 18, 18, 20)

sts inc. 67 (73, 77, 85, 89) (95, 99, 103, 111) sts in total).

2. Increases on RS and WS

Next Row (RS): K2, p1, m1l, k to m, sm, work next Row of Front Chart, sm, k to last 3 sts, m1r, p1, k2. 2 inc. 69 (75, 79, 87, 91) (97, 101, 105, 113) sts.      

Next Row (WS): Sl2p wyif, k1, m1rp, p to m, sm, work next Row of Front Chart, sm, p to last 3 sts, m1lp, k1, sl2p wyif. 2 inc. 71 (77, 81, 89, 93) (99, 103, 107, 115) sts.

Repeat last 2 Rows 0 (1, 2, 2, 3) (4, 5, 6, 6) times more. (0 (4, 8, 8, 12) (16, 20, 24, 24)

sts inc. 71 (81, 89, 97, 105) (115, 123, 131, 139) sts in total).

Section 3: Join back and front, work in the round

Rnd 1: Starting with front sts k to m, sm, work next Row of Front Chart, sm, k to the front end, continue with back sts, k to m, sm, work next Row of Back Chart, sm, k to the end. (142 (162, 178, 194, 210) (230, 246, 262, 278) sts in total).

Rnd 2: K to m, sm, work next row of Front Chart, sm, k to m, sm, work next row of Back Chart, sm, k to the end.

Continue working as established in Rnd 2, advancing on Front and Back Chart, until you have worked 7.75 (7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 8.75) (9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 10.25)”/ 20 (20, 20, 22, 22) (24, 24, 26, 26) cm from the join of the front and back or 0.75”/2 cm less than desired length.

Next Rnd: P to end.

Bind off sts with i-cord technique. Watch video by Bronwyn the Brave designs.

Section 4: Finishings

Neckline is worked in the round. Watch step by step video. IG @ileradebu.

With the smaller needle and starting on right shoulder pick up and knit approx. 29 (29, 29, 37, 37) (37, 45, 45, 45) on the back (approx. 1 sts for every cast on st) and 53 (53, 53, 61, 61) (61, 69, 69, 69) sts on the front. 82 (82, 82, 98, 98) (98, 114, 114, 114) sts. pm BOR.

Rnd 1: P to end.

Bind off sts with i-cord technique. Watch video by Bronwyn the Brave designs.