Ardour

Ardour Knit Top by Morgana Knits

What is Being Made

Ardour is a downloadable knitting pattern for a women's knit top designed by Alexandra Giarmadourou. This intermediate-level garment is available in seven sizes ranging from XS/S through XXXL, with finished bust measurements from 77cm (30.5 inches) to 139cm (55 inches). The top is constructed using a two-piece method with front and back pieces worked separately from bottom to top, followed by seaming and neckline/sleeve finishing.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Ardour top employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The garment utilizes garter stitch for border sections and neckline/sleeve finishing, which creates a textured, reversible fabric ideal for edges. The main body features pattern stitch work, specifically referred to as pattern A2 in the instructions. Construction involves back and forth knitting on circular needles for the front and back pieces, followed by picking up stitches around the neckline and armholes to work these sections in the round. Seaming is required to join shoulder and side seams using a tapestry needle.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations including:

• k = knit stitch
• p = purl stitch
• yo = yarn over (creates decorative eyelet or lace effects)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (a left-leaning decrease made by slipping two stitches knitwise individually, then knitting them together through the front loops)
• k2tog = knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)

Materials and Gauge

The Ardour pattern calls for DROPS Cotton Merino yarn in colorway 25 Rust, a DK weight yarn composed of 50% Merino Wool and 50% Cotton. Yardage requirements vary by size: XS/S/M require 5/5/6 skeins respectively, while L/XL/XXL/XXXL require 7/8/9/9 skeins. Each skein provides 50 grams and 110 meters of yarn.

Two needle sizes are required: 3.5mm circular needles for working the garter stitch sections, and 4mm circular needles for the pattern stitch sections (or size as needed to obtain correct gauge). A tapestry needle is necessary for seaming the finished pieces together.

The pattern gauge is 23 stitches and 31 rows over 10x10 centimeters (4x4 inches) when working pattern A2 on the larger 4mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements.