Aprica top is a versatile summer garment. When knitted with natural fibers it is suitable for even very hot summer weather.
With interesting neckline – it has a V-neck at both the front and the back, and ribbing that goes up to the under bust, Aprica top can be the statement piece of your summer outfit. And at the same time it’s quite comfortable. The fit across the chest is loose and relaxed and the neckline is quite high. The straps are wide enough to cover the bra straps if you are wearing one. And armholes are finished in a way that prevents them from riding up in the armpits. Instructions include adjustments to better fit different body shapes.
You can choose any color you like for the Aprica top and get a garment suitable for color palette of your wardrobe.
There is also a complete video tutorial for Aprica top, with every technique demonstrated in great detail!

Difficulty level
Advanced beginner, intermediate, experienced

Techniques used
Knitting flat, knitting in the round on circular needles, knit and purl stitches, increases and decreases, Crochet cast on (optional), Traditional bind off, picking up stitches at the edges, crochet seam (or mattress seam instead), grafting.

Sizes
(1, 2) (3, 4) (5, 6) (7, 8) (9, 10)
Chose a size with approximately 1.5-2’’ (4-5 cm) of positive ease at chest.
Sample on photo is in size 3 on a model with a 35’’ (88 cm) bust circumference.

Yarn
Fingering weight
Preferably cotton or silk blends.

Gauge
30 sts and 38 rows = 4’’ (10 cm) on US 2 (3 mm) needles

Needles
US 1 (2.5 mm) for ribbing straight or circular
US 1 (2.5 mm) 16’’ (40 cm) circular needle for neckband and armhole ribbing
US 2 (3 mm) for stockinette or the size you need to obtain gauge

Approximate yardage
Size 1 – 470 yds (427 m)
Size 2 – 509 yds (463 m)
Size 3 – 539 yds (490 m)
Size 4 – 568 yds (516 m)
Size 5 – 602 yds (547 m)
Size 6 – 631 yds (574 m)
Size 7 – 668 yds (607 m)
Size 8 – 699 yds (636 m)
Size 9 – 729 yds (663 m)
Size 10 – 761 yds (691 m)

Notions
Optional – US B1 (2.5 mm) crochet hook for casting on and seaming
Waste yarn or stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Removable stitch markers

Finished measurements
A width of the ribbed portion laying flat – (14.8, 15.6) (16.4, 17.4) (18.2, 19.2) (20, 21) (21.8, 22.8)’’ / (37, 39) (41, 43.5) (45.5, 48) (50, 52.5) (54.5, 57) cm
B width at the chest laying flat– (16.8, 17.8) (18.8, 19.8) (20.8, 21.8) (22.8, 23.8) (24.8, 25.8)’’ / (42, 44.5) (47, 49.5) (52, 54.5) (57, 59.5) (62, 64.5) cm
C width of the strap – (1.6, 2) (2, 2) (2, 2.2) (2.2, 2.4) (2.6, 2.6)’’ / (4, 5) (5, 5) (5, 5.5) (5.5, 6) (6.5, 6.5) cm
D length of the armhole opening laying flat – (7.8, 8) (8, 8.2) (8.6, 8.8) (9, 9) (9.2, 9.2)’’ / (19.5, 20) (20, 20.5) (21.5, 22) (22.5, 22.5) (23, 23) cm
On the front panel the length of the strap is adjustable to fit bigger bust.
E length of the stockinette portion – 3.8 ‘’ / 9.5 cm for all sizes
F length of the ribbed portion – 4.5 ‘’ / 11 cm – suggested.
This parameter is adjustable. Keep in mind that if you add length you will need more yarn.
G total length of the top – (17.2, 17) (17, 17) (17.4, 17.4) (17.6, 17.6) (17.6, 17.6)’’ / (43, 42.5) (42.5, 42.5) (43.5, 43.5) (44, 44) (44, 44) cm - If you didn’t change the length of the ribbing (F parameter).
H depth of the neck opening – (6.6, 6.8) (6.8, 7) (7.4, 7.6) (7.8, 7.8) (8, 8)’’ / (16.5, 17) (17, 17.5) (18.5, 19) (19.5, 19.5) (20, 20) cm

Pattern notes
Aprica top is worked bottom up in pieces. Front and back have slightly different armhole and neckline shaping, but use the same techniques.
The stitches at the shoulders are left open on a waste yarn for future grafting.
Before assembly front and back panels are blocked to help with curling of stockinette fabric. Then shoulders are grafted shut, and after that sides are seamed with a crochet hook. Crochet seam can be replaced with a mattress seam.
The neck opening is finished with narrow band of 1 by 1 ribbing with decorative double central decreases at the V-points.
The armholes are also finished with narrow bands of 1 by 1 ribbing. The bands of ribbing are additionally shaped with German short rows to make them narrower in the armpit area.
The most complicated parts of the instructions for different sizes are not mashed up together, but placed on separate pages. Printing instructions for every size are included.
All the techniques are shown in great detail in a complete video tutorial that accompanies this pattern.

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