Marlana Top

Marlana Top by Taiga Hilliard Designs

Garment Overview

The Marlana Top is a knitted summer garment designed to keep you cool and stylish during warm weather. This intermediate-level knitting project is constructed using a top-down method, combining flat knitting for the front and back panels with seamless in-the-round knitting for the body and hem. The design offers a comfortable fit with approximately 2 inches of positive ease in the bust, making it suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Construction Method

This top is knit from the top down, with a hybrid construction technique. The front and back tops are knitted separately in flat rows, then joined together in the round to complete the body down to the hem. This approach combines the precision of flat knitting for shaping the neckline and shoulders with the efficiency and seamless quality of circular knitting for the main body.

Yarn and Needle Requirements

Yarn Weight: Sport weight yarn is used for this project, which creates a lightweight, breathable fabric ideal for summer wear. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 450 yards for the smallest size (28" chest) up to 1000 yards for the largest size (54" chest).

Needles: US size 8 (5.00 mm) needles are recommended, though you should use whatever needle size is necessary to achieve the correct gauge in stockinette stitch.

Gauge and Fit

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 17.0 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch. The designer emphasizes the importance of completing a gauge swatch before beginning the project, as this ensures the finished garment will match the intended measurements. The Marlana Top is available in thirteen sizes, ranging from 28" to 54" chest circumference, accommodating a wide range of body types.

Stitches and Techniques

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout this garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when working flat
• Long Tail Cast On: Used to begin the project, with a 12-inch tail left for seaming the top seam at completion
• Purl and Knit Stitches: The foundation stitches used to create the stockinette pattern and edge details
• Seamless In-the-Round Knitting: Applied to the body and hem sections after the flat-knitted front and back are joined

Pattern Details

The pattern begins with casting on between 64 and 120 stitches depending on size, using the long tail cast on method. The initial rows establish the stockinette stitch pattern with edge stitches: Row 1 (wrong side) is worked as purl 1, knit to the last stitch, purl 1, while Row 2 (right side) is knitted across. These rows are repeated to establish the flat-knitted sections before transitioning to circular knitting.

Sizing and Ease

The Marlana Top accommodates thirteen different sizes with chest measurements from 28 inches to 54 inches. The garment features approximately 2 inches of positive ease in the bust, meaning the finished bust measurement will be 2 inches larger than your actual bust measurement. For a more relaxed, loose fit, the designer recommends sizing up one size.