Light and lacey top

Light and Lacey Top by Dragonfly

Garment Overview

The Light and Lacey Top is an intermediate-level women's knitting project designed by Marjorie Post of The Dragonfly studio. This top features an open, breathable lace construction ideal for warm-weather wear. The garment is available in three sizes: Women's Small (36" bust), Medium (40" bust), and Large (44" bust), with finished measurements provided in both inches and centimeters.

Construction Method

This top is knitted in one circular piece from the bottom up using a seamless construction technique. The work begins at the lower edge and progresses upward in the round until reaching the underarm, where the piece is divided as directed in the pattern instructions. This method minimizes seaming and creates a smooth, comfortable fit.

Lace Design and Stitches

The Light and Lacey Top features a repeating lace pattern that creates an open, soft aesthetic. The lace motif is established over a four-round repeat:

• Round 3: Knit 3 stitches, purl 2 stitches, repeated across the round
• Round 4: Knit all stitches
• Round 5: Yarn over, knit 3 together, yarn over, purl 2 stitches, repeated across the round
• Round 6: Knit all stitches

These rounds are repeated until the piece reaches one inch below the desired finished length. The yarn overs and knit 3 together decreases create the characteristic openwork and lacy appearance. Knitters are advised to work a swatch in the lace design to determine their preferred needle size, ensuring the lace appears open and soft as intended.

Yarn and Needles

The Light and Lacey Top is designed to be worked in Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton, a breathable natural fiber ideal for lightweight garments. Yardage requirements are 2 skeins (100g, 218 yards/200 meters) for Small, 3 skeins for Medium, and 3 skeins for Large. The pattern calls for a US size 6 (4.0mm) circular needle for construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The recommended gauge is 5 stitches per 1 inch (2.54cm) worked in the lace design. Knitters have the flexibility to adjust garment size by multiplying the gauge (stitches per inch) by the desired bust measurement, allowing for customization beyond the three provided sizes.

Cast-On and Setup

The top begins with a long-tail cast-on of 180 stitches for Small, 200 stitches for Medium, or 220 stitches for Large onto the US size 6 circular needle. The first round is worked in purl with a stitch marker placed at the end of the round to mark the beginning of each subsequent round. From round 2 onward, all rounds are worked in knit except where the lace pattern specifies otherwise, with the stitch marker slipped at the beginning of every round.

Additional Tools and Techniques

Beyond the yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch markers to denote the round beginning and pattern repeats, stitch holders to secure stitches during the underarm division, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. Knitters should have familiarity with circular knitting, lace techniques including yarn overs and decreases, and the ability to read and follow stitch patterns to successfully complete this intermediate-level project.