Laera Top

Laera Top by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

The Laera Top is a women's knitted garment designed by independent designer Corrine Walcher. This top is knit from the bottom up and features a fitted silhouette with finished chest measurements available in six sizes: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches. The length ranges from 13 to 15 inches from cast on to underarm, depending on size selected. The design is named "Laera," meaning learning, as a tribute to the designer's knit night group community who inspired her journey into knitting and pattern design.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its distinctive aesthetic. The garment is constructed using circular knitting methods, worked in the round from the bottom edge upward. The pattern incorporates lace work as a central design element, featuring a wide lace hem at the bottom edge with coordinating lace details at the armholes and neckline. This combination of structural shaping and decorative lace creates visual interest while maintaining wearability.

Stitches Used

While the complete stitch breakdown is not fully detailed in the provided content, the pattern clearly utilizes lace stitches throughout the design. The wide lace hem forms the foundation of the garment, with matching lace patterns repeated at the arm openings and neck edge. These lace elements are characteristic of intermediate knitting projects and require attention to yarn overs, decreases, and stitch placement to achieve the intended openwork effect.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Laera Top is designed to work with fingering to sport weight yarn, requiring approximately 500 to 1000 yards total depending on the size knitted. The designer's sample, created in the 44-inch size, used 600 yards of an 80/20 merino and bamboo blend yarn that was hand-dyed. This yarn weight range provides the drape and delicacy needed to showcase the lace details effectively.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires a US #5/3.75mm circular needle measuring 32 inches or longer for knitting the body of the top, with larger sizes potentially benefiting from an even longer needle for comfortable working. Knitters will also need their preferred method for working small circumferences in the round for the armholes and neckline shaping. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, waste yarn or stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends upon completion.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Laera Top is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace work and garment shaping. The combination of circular knitting, lace pattern work, and fitted garment construction makes this an ideal project for developing intermediate-level techniques.