Elyee Top

Elyee Top by Taiga Hilliard Designs

What is Being Made

The Elyee Top is a knitted garment designed as a flattering pullover with a lace hem detail. This top-down, in-the-round construction offers a seamless finish with minimal finishing work required. The pattern includes six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with bust measurements from 28-30 inches up to 48-52 inches, accommodating a wide range of body types. The design features positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential techniques that make it suitable for knitters with foundational skills looking to expand their abilities. The garment is constructed top-down and completely in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and results in only two ends to weave in upon completion. The lace hem showcases decorative openwork created through strategic yarn overs and decreases. The top-down method allows for easy fitting adjustments and try-ons during the knitting process, making it an excellent choice for achieving a custom fit.

Stitches Used

The Elyee Top pattern incorporates a variety of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• K2tog (Knit Two Together) – A right-leaning decrease stitch used to shape the garment and create lace patterning
• Yarn Over (YO) – Creates the openwork characteristic of the lace hem and adds decorative eyelets throughout the design
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – A left-leaning decrease that provides balanced shaping when paired with K2tog decreases
• Kfb (Knit into Front and Back) – An increase stitch that adds stitches for shaping and construction
• PFB (Purl into Front and Back) – A purl-based increase used where purl stitches are required in the pattern
• M1 and M1L (Make One Increases) – Invisible increase techniques created by picking up the horizontal strand between stitches, used for seamless shaping
• DD (Double Decrease) – A centered decrease created by slipping one stitch, knitting two stitches together, and passing the slipped stitch over, used for decorative lace effects
• Slip Marker (Sm) – Used to mark pattern repeats and construction points in the round

Materials and Specifications

The Elyee Top is designed to work with sport weight yarn, offering versatility in fiber choice depending on intended season and climate. The pattern recommends Mary Gavans Pepino yarn as the tested yarn. Yardage requirements range from 500 yards for the XS size to 1000 yards for the XXL size, allowing knitters to select appropriate yarn quantities based on their chosen size.

Knitting needles required are US size 6 (4.00 mm), though the pattern notes that knitters should use whatever needle size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The pattern is suitable for both bamboo yarn for summer garments and wool yarn for winter wear, making it a year-round design option.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the garment fits as intended.