Undersea Top

Undersea Top by Elly's Knitting Days

What is Being Made

The Undersea Top is a lace-inspired knitted garment designed for intermediate knitters. This women's top features an underwater-themed aesthetic with design elements that evoke the natural beauty of ocean environments. The garment is available in five sizes ranging from Small (80-84 cm bust) to XXL (116-122 cm bust), with corresponding lengths from 57-66 cm depending on size. The piece is constructed using an A-line silhouette that flatters the wearer's figure through strategic shaping at the chest area.

Design Features and Construction

The Undersea Top showcases distinctive design elements inspired by marine life. Twisting lines throughout the lace pattern are reminiscent of coral formations found on the sea bottom, creating visual interest and movement. The garment features beautifully scalloped edges along both the bottom hem and the shoulder straps, representing the gentle undulating waves of the sea. These scalloped details add an elegant, organic quality to the finished piece.

The top is knitted from the bottom up using an A-line construction method. This approach allows the knitter to build the garment gradually while maintaining consistent shaping. At the chest level, the piece is strategically divided into separate triangular front and back sections. This division technique creates improved fit through the upper body and contributes to the overall flattering silhouette of the design.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Undersea Top is an intermediate-level knitting project that incorporates lace knitting as its primary technique. Lace knitting involves creating decorative openwork patterns through strategic yarn overs and decreases, which produce the delicate, intricate designs characteristic of this garment. The pattern includes comprehensive lace sections that are presented in two formats for knitter convenience and preference.

• Charted Instructions: Lace patterns are provided as visual charts, allowing knitters to follow the stitch patterns graphically
• Written Instructions: The same lace patterns are also available in written format with detailed row-by-row instructions

The inclusion of both charted and written instructions accommodates different learning styles and preferences among knitters. The scalloped edges throughout the garment require understanding of edge shaping techniques, while the A-line construction involves increases distributed strategically to create the gradual widening silhouette.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Undersea Top is designed to be worked in DK weight or sport weight yarn. The pattern specifically recommends DK cotton as an ideal fiber choice for this project. Cotton yarn is particularly well-suited to lace garments as it provides excellent stitch definition, allowing the intricate lace patterns to display beautifully. The breathable nature of cotton makes it an appropriate fiber for a top-weight garment intended for comfortable wear.

The choice of DK or sport weight yarn ensures that the lace patterns will have appropriate drape and transparency while maintaining structural integrity. Knitters will require appropriate needles sized for their chosen yarn weight to achieve proper gauge and fabric characteristics. The pattern emphasizes the importance of proper blocking for all pieces, as blocking is essential for revealing the full beauty of lace work and ensuring accurate finished measurements.

Pattern Format and Specifications

The Undersea Top pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF document, making it accessible for digital reference during the knitting process. The pattern documentation spans 17 pages and includes comprehensive sizing information with specific bust and length measurements for each size option. The pattern version is 1.0, dated 2020, and is designed by Elly's Knitting Days, an independent designer.