Sequential Top by Cynthia Fong - Knitting Pattern For Women in The Yarn Collective

Sequential Top by Cynthia Fong – Knitting Pattern for Women by The Yarn Collective

The Sequential Top is an advanced-level women's knitting pattern designed by Cynthia Fong for The Yarn Collective. This beautifully conceived lace sweater top is available as a downloadable PDF and offers sizes ranging from XS through 5XL, with finished chest measurements spanning 92 cm (36 inches) to 172 cm (68 inches), worn with a recommended ease of 15–20 cm (6–8 inches). The design is a sophisticated exploration of mathematical beauty in knitting, drawing its structural and decorative logic directly from the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a women's lace sweater top featuring multiple distinct lace panels worked across the body and sleeves. The garment is designed to be elegant and lightweight, with the lace detailing forming the visual centrepiece of the design. The sleeve panels, when knitted to the correct tension, are specifically engineered to measure according to the Golden Ratio, making this a rare example of mathematically intentional garment construction.

Design Concept and Mathematical Inspiration

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Sequential Top is its conceptual foundation. The lace stitch counts used across the garment's panels are 21, 34, and 55 — three significant numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence. This sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding it, creates naturally harmonious proportions that are widely found in nature and classical art. Designer Cynthia Fong has translated this mathematical principle into knitted fabric, giving the garment a sense of organic balance and visual rhythm that goes far beyond purely decorative lace.

Techniques Used

This is an advanced knitting pattern that requires confidence with lace construction and an understanding of shaping techniques. Key techniques include:

• Lace knitting worked across multiple panels of varying stitch counts (21, 34, and 55 stitches)
• The lace pattern is always worked on the right side (RS) of the garment
• Lace panels are directional — stitches move either towards or away from the centre of each panel
• Shaping and decreasing throughout the garment construction
• Use of stitch markers (9 markers required) to track panel placement and shaping points
• Working with two strands of yarn held together throughout — one strand of each colourway simultaneously
• Gauge swatching and needle adjustment, which is described as vitally important given the lace weight yarn and fine needle sizes involved

Stitches Used

The pattern employs a focused set of stitches and techniques that combine to create the signature lace fabric:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) — knit 1 row, purl 1 row — used as the base fabric
• YRN (Yarn Round Needle) — the yarn-over technique that creates the open eyelets characteristic of lace knitting
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) — a left-leaning decrease used within the lace pattern
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together) — a right-leaning decrease paired with SSK to create the directional lace movement
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) as foundational stitches throughout
• Decrease (Dec) shaping techniques used for garment construction

The lace pattern is formed by working YRN, SSK, and K2tog in any combination, giving the designer flexibility in how the lace motif is expressed across the different panel sizes.

Materials – Yarn

The Sequential Top is knitted using Portland Lace yarn by The Yarn Collective,