Pellucid

Pellucid Knitted Top by Dieuwke Schack-Mulligen

What is Being Made

Pellucid is a lightweight, sheer knitted top designed with a simple silhouette and elegant striping detail. The garment features a loose fit with approximately 10 cm (4 inches) of positive ease, making it comfortable and relaxed to wear. The sheer striping effect is achieved through a thoughtful alternation of yarn strand weights, creating visual interest while maintaining the delicate nature of the finished piece.

Construction Method and Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project is worked from the top down, beginning with a cast-on at the neckline and shoulders. The front and back panels are initially worked flat, providing control and ease during the early stages of construction. Once the sleeve caps are established, the garment transitions to working in the round for the body. Sleeves are created using a grafting technique, where stitches from the back and front are grafted together seamlessly.

Important note on blocking: The gauge in this yarn and stitch pattern changes significantly before and after blocking, so the pattern includes specific instructions for calculating the final length of your garment to ensure accurate sizing.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern employs a lace weight yarn worked in alternating single and double strand sections. This technique creates the distinctive sheer striping effect that defines the design. The alternation between one and two strands of yarn produces visual striping while maintaining the overall delicate, breathable quality of the finished garment.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Fyberspates Gleem Lace in colorway "Sea Green" (55% Blue-Faced Leicester wool, 45% silk blend). Each 100g skein contains 800 meters (874 yards). Pattern requires 2–3 skeins depending on size.
• Needles: 4 mm (US 6) circular needles, approximately 80 cm (32 inches) in length
• Gauge: 21 stitches and 30 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) when working with 2 strands in the stitch pattern

Swatch Instructions

To achieve accurate gauge before beginning, cast on 35 stitches using 2 strands of yarn. Work the swatch following this sequence: 6 rows with 2 strands, 6 rows with 1 strand, then 2 rows with 2 strands. This swatch demonstrates both the single-strand and double-strand sections and allows you to test how the yarn behaves before and after blocking, which is essential given the significant gauge changes in this particular yarn and stitch combination.