This is a pattern from the collection History on Two Needles by Annie Modesitt.

Inspired by a statuette discovered on Crete of a Minoan Snake “goddess”

Although the statuette is bare-breasted, I am using her garment silhouette to create a Sleeveless Surplice.

In my Surplice Top, I’ve chosen to use a stitch pattern that echoes the Minoan weaving tradition, but this time with a bit of shaping added at the fronts to create the easy drape of the cross-over shape.

Finished Bust 38 (41, 44, 47, 50, 54, 58)”/97.5 (105, 113, 120.5, 128, 138.5, 148) cm
Total Length 18 1/2 (19 1/2, 21 1/2, 23, 24 1/2, 26 1/2, 28)”/47.4 (50, 55, 59, 63, 68, 72) cm
Skill Level K 3 Intermediate
Fiber Mango Moon, Dharma (150yds/137m) Wheat, 3 (3, 4, 4) skeins
Notions Safety pins (2), 24” ribbons for closure hook & eye for closure (optional), extra needle for 3-needle bind off.

Special Stitches
St st – Stockinette Stitch
Rev St st – Reverse St st
Sl st wyws – Slip st with yarn to the wrong side
Sl st wyrs – Slip st with yarn to the right side
YO – Yarn Over
K2tog-R – Knit 2 tog with a right slant
K2tog-L – Knit 2 tog with a left slant
P2tog-R – Purl 2 tog with a right slant
P2tog-L – Purl 2 tog with a left slant
DKSS Edge – Double Knit Slip Stitch Edge
3 Needle Bind Off
Cable Cast On
ICord Bind Off