Blue Bell Top

Blue Bell Top by Iman Handmade

Project Overview

The Blue Bell Top is an advanced-level knitted garment designed by Iman Dannan for Iman Handmade. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted top available in five size options ranging from extra-small to extra-large, with actual chest measurements from 80 cm to 118 cm and total lengths between 48 cm and 55 cm.

Garment Construction and Sizing

The Blue Bell Top features precise sizing across five distinct size ranges:

• XS: Body chest 71-76 cm, actual chest 80 cm, total length 48 cm
• S: Body chest 81.5-86.5 cm, actual chest 90 cm, total length 50 cm
• M: Body chest 91.5-96.5 cm, actual chest 100 cm, total length 52 cm
• L: Body chest 101.5-106.5 cm, actual chest 108 cm, total length 53 cm
• XL: Body chest 112-117 cm, actual chest 118 cm, total length 55 cm

Yarn and Materials

The Blue Bell Top is crafted using Alize Diva, a 100% microfiber acrylic yarn in the Lavender colorway. This yarn is supplied in 100-gram balls with a yardage of 350 meters per ball. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 balls for the smallest sizes to 6 balls for the largest size.

The pattern requires circular knitting needles in two sizes: 4 mm needles (80 cm length) for ribbed sections and 5 mm needles (80 cm length) for the main body. Additional notions include stitch markers and stitch holders for managing stitches during construction.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Blue Bell Top employs double-stranded knitting throughout the garment, a technique where two strands of yarn are held together and worked as a single strand. This method creates a denser, more structured fabric while reducing the overall yardage requirements.

The primary stitch used in this pattern is stockinette stitch, created by knitting all stitches on the right side and purling all stitches on the wrong side. This classic stitch produces the smooth, flat fabric characteristic of many fitted knitted tops.

The pattern incorporates several fundamental knitting techniques and abbreviations:

• Yarn overs (Yo): Used to create decorative increases and lace-like details
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease stitch for shaping
• Make one (M1): An increase stitch for adding stitches during shaping
• Slip stitch (Sl 1): Used for various stitch manipulation techniques
• Pass slipped stitch over (Psso): A left-leaning decrease stitch often paired with slipped stitches

Tension and Gauge

Achieving proper tension is critical for this advanced pattern. The specified gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows over a 10 cm by 10 cm swatch, worked in stockinette stitch using double-stranded knitting on 5 mm needles. Knitters should swatch carefully before beginning the project to ensure accurate fit and finished dimensions.

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

The Blue Bell Top is classified as an advanced knitting project, suitable for experienced knitters familiar with circular needle techniques, gauge management, and shaping methods. The use of double-stranded knitting and multiple decrease and increase techniques requires solid foundational knitting skills and attention to pattern instructions.