Necklace Top is a delicate combination of lace and cable work inspired by Hitomi Shida’s Japanese stitches books.
In order not to make the pattern too long and save in printing paper I have divided the second part into two parts- closed back and open back versions. The files for this part are available separately.

Sizes and Measurements:
The pattern is written for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). It is shown in the photos in S size. For bust measurements see below.

Ease: This is a loose fitting top- allow for 10-15 cm/ 4’’-6’’ of positive ease at the bust.

Yarn: I have used a very soft Thai cotton yarn that I’ve found in a textile market during my travels. I have chosen to work with cotton because the summers where I live are extremely hot, however you can work with any other fibers.
The yarn should be of lace weight (24 wpi, super fine ore fingering), 470 m for 100g.

Gauge: 24 stitches and 34 rows= 10x10 cm/ 4’’x4’’ in Stockinette stitch after blocking.

Needles: 3.25 mm/ US 3 circulars of 60 cm/24’’ length or any other size to maintain gauge.
2.5 mm/ US 1.5 curculars or one size below your gauge size needles for the rib.

Materials:
Waste yarn to hold sts, stitch markers, stitch holder, tapestry needle.

Working Order and Techniques:
the top is knitted flat from the front bottom up towards the chest, where it is divided in order to shape the V neck (the sides as written in the pattern are from the looker’s view). After completing both sides of the upper front, stitches are added to form the back of the neck, and the top is then worked from the upper back to the bottom. The back is either divided for the open back version, or worked in one piece- for the closed back version.
After completing the knitting part, the sides are then sewed using Mattress Stitch method- video tutorial for this technique is linked in the pattern.

XS:
body/ bust circumference including ease 94 cm/ 36’’-
length- shoulder to bottom: 47 cm/ 18.5’’
Yarn estimate for closed (open) back: 500 m/550 yd (450 m/500 yd).

S
body/ bust circumference including ease: 104 cm/ 40’’
length- shoulder to bottom: 48 cm/ 19’’
Yarn estimate for closed (open) back: 550 m/ 600 yd (500 m/550 yd)

M
body/ bust circumference including ease: 114 cm/ 44’’
length- shoulder to bottom: 50 cm/ 19.5’’
Yarn estimate for closed (open) back: 650 m/710 yd (570 m/623 yd)

L
body/ bust circumference including ease: 124 cm/ 48’’
length- shoulder to bottom: 51 cm/ 20’’
Yarn estimate for closed (open) back: 800 m/ 875 yd (700 m/ 765 yd)

XL
body/ bust circumference including ease: 134 cm/ 52’’
length- shoulder to bottom: 52 cm/ 20.5’’
Yarn estimate for closed (open) back: 870 m/ 951 yd/ 730 m/800 yd

XXL
body/ bust circumference including ease: 144 m/ 56’’
length- shoulder to bottom: 53 cm/ 21’’
Yarn estimate for closed (open) back: 950 m/ 1040 yd (820 m/900 yd)