Bessie by Jacqueline Cieslak

Bessie

Knitting
August 2021
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 5 - 3.75 mm
550 - 1910 yards (503 - 1747 m)
10 sizes by finished full bust/chest circumference of 36-72"/90-180cm
English
This pattern is available for $9.00 USD buy it now

DESCRIPTION

BESSIE is a simple light weight summer tee with an adjustable wide neck and delicate, subtle detailing. The design features top-down, circular yoke construction, an optional custom fit bicep, and instructions for adjusting the neckline to get your dream on- or off-the-shoulder fit. The pattern includes 10 sizes and two original video tutorials for the unique finishing details.

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SIZING

All of my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive to fit up to at least a 60” full bust circumference.

To choose your size, measure the circumference of your torso around the fullest part of your bust/chest and choose the size that fits with 4-10”/10-25cm of positive ease. If you are between bust/chest sizes, choose the size that will get you closest to 0-2”/0-5cm of positive ease at the bicep (to measure your bicep for this pattern, measure the circumference about 2-3”/5-7.5cm above your elbow).

In the photos, Jacqui is wearing a size 7 sweater (60”/150cm) with 6”/15cm of positive ease at the bust and no ease at the bicep.

FINISHED BUST/CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE:
In inches: (34, 40) [44, 48, 52, 56] {60, 64, 68, 72}
In centimeters: (90, 100) [110, 120, 130, 140] {150, 160, 170, 180}

To see how the top looks across the size range, check out the test knitting round up here!
 
 
GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS

Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette after blocking

Recommended needles:
- Main needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) 32”/80cm (sizes 1-4) or 40”/100cm (sizes 5-10) circular, 16”/40cm circular for sleeves if not using magic loop

Notions: stitch markers, locking stitch markers, darning needle, stitch holders or scrap yarn
 
 
YARN

This top is designed for a fingering weight linen/cotton blend. I used Seismic Yarns Cellular, an organic cotton and linen blend with a tight ply and soft hand.

CROP:
Yards: (550, 650) [750, 850, 975, 1100] {1225, 1350, 1475, 1600}
Meters: (500, 590) [680, 775, 890, 1000] {1115, 1230, 1345, 1460}

FULL LENGTH:
Yards: (710, 820) [930, 1040, 1185, 1330] {1475, 1620, 1765, 1910}
Meters: (650, 750) [850, 950, 1080, 1215] {1345, 1475, 1610, 1740}

Other suitable yarns:

$
Knit Picks Lindy Chain
Holst Garn Coast Uld Bomuld
Berroco Remix Light

$$
BC Garn Alba
Isager Strik Bomulin
Kelbourne Woolens Mojave

$$$
Echoview Fiber Mill Lapidary
Shibui Koan
 

VIDEO TUTORIALS
Bessie includes the following original video tutorials:

  1. Lateral braid in the round (for the hem detailing)
  2. German short rows (for the back of the neck)

SHARING

☀️ See pictures of other Bessie crops and share pictures of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag #BessieCrop. Be sure to tag @jacquelinecieslak too! ☀️

Thank you to Kristina McGrath for her work as tech editor on this pattern, and thank you to Eva of Seismic Yarn & Dyeworks for collaborating and providing yarn support for one of my test knitters.