Introducing The Ava Top, a modified recreation of top worn by Ava Gardner in Mogambo!

This 1950s style garment is worked in the round from the bottom up with waist and hip shaping to get a perfect, tailored fit. The body is worked up to the underarm, put on hold, then each sleeve is worked to the underarm as well. All pieces are joined together here to work the upper section in one unit.
But then, curve ball! Instead of continuing like a typical yoke sweater, the right and left sides are worked separately in short rows to create the curved, low neckline. All the live stitches are then joined together again to work the smocked edging, bound off, then all you need to do is seam those underarms and presto, you’ve got yourself a finished top!

This top is a recreation knit, but with my own spin on it. The original knit top was worn by Ava Gardner in the 1953 film Mogambo. The pattern has a similar overall style to the original top, of course including the amazing smocked low neckline, but also includes a vertical smock detail at each of the side seams along with a hemmed cuff and bottom edge. This knit is intended to be tucked into a skirt or pants as shown in the film, but also looks great untucked and with a belt!

Like always, my garment patterns are ungraded and instead use a body measurement x gauge system of pattern writing, making them fully size inclusive and tailored to your personal measurements. There are plenty of resources at Squid School to get you started on this method of pattern instruction!

This pattern (and plenty more vintage inspired knits) is available exclusively at Squid’s School of Vintage Knitting! Come join the fun and make your own Ava Gardner inspired summer top!