K842-Blooming Magnolia Top

K842 – Blooming Magnolia Top by Nazanin Fard

What is Being Made

The Blooming Magnolia Top is a sleeveless knitted garment designed for intermediate knitters. This feminine-styled top features a wide round neckline and a shaped waistline that creates a flattering silhouette. The most distinctive design element is the beautiful lace pattern worked along the bottom edge, which creates decorative scallops as an integral part of the construction. The top is available in five sizes ranging from Small through 2X, with finished bust measurements from 34 inches (86 cm) to 52 inches (132 cm) and total lengths from 24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 cm).

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate-level techniques to achieve its elegant finished appearance. The garment incorporates lace knitting, which requires attention to yarn-over and decrease sequences to create the openwork pattern at the hem. Waist shaping is integrated throughout the body of the top to create a fitted, feminine silhouette. The armholes and neckline are finished using applied I-cord, a technique that adds a polished, professional edge to these openings. The pattern also offers an alternative finishing method using k1, p1 ribbing for knitters who prefer a different aesthetic or want a more forgiving edge finish. Construction involves working with both straight needles and circular needles, requiring familiarity with transitioning between needle types during the knitting process.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace-specific decreases and yarn-overs. Knit and purl stitches form the base fabric, while the lace pattern at the bottom edge incorporates yarn-overs to create the openwork design and strategic decreases to maintain stitch count and shape the scalloped edges. The ribbing option uses alternating knit and purl stitches (k1, p1) for elastic edge finishing. I-cord, a small tubular knitted cord, is applied to the armholes and neckline for a refined finish.

Materials

• Yarn: 700 to 1,150 yards of super fine (fingering) weight yarn in 100% wool, depending on size. The sample project was created using Knit Picks Preciosa Tonal Fingering Yarn in 100% Merino wool, which provides 437 yards (400 meters) per 100-gram hank. Knitters will need 2 to 3 hanks depending on their size selection.
• Needles: US size 5 (3.75 mm) straight or circular needles for the main fabric, US size 3 (3.25 mm) double-pointed needles for I-cord finishing, and a 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle in US size 3 (3.25 mm) for neckline and armhole finishing.
• Additional Supplies: Stitch markers and tape measure for accurate gauge and measurement.

Yarn Weight and Fiber Considerations

The Blooming Magnolia Top is designed for super fine (fingering) weight yarn, a delicate yarn category that creates fabric with excellent drape and definition. The 100% wool fiber content provides elasticity and resilience, allowing the lace pattern to display beautifully while the fabric recovers well after wearing. The fingering weight yarn allows the intricate lace details at the hem to be clearly visible and creates a lightweight garment suitable for layering or warm-weather wear.