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DESCRIPTION

This sweet & simple summer knit is a thoughtful, wearable re-imagining of the classic bandeau. The design features options for creating a shorter, more fitted bralette with a ruched front, or a longer, looser tube top with more gathers. Choose either style or mix and match details for your perfect summer top — BLOOM is primed for a customized fit for your body and style! The pattern is worked entirely in stockinette in the round, and includes 12 sizes, horizontal bust darts, detailed instructions for inserting the elastic bands, and optional shoulder ties.

→ Click here to download a free preview with all the pattern details, including sizing information, yarn requirements, gauge and needles, and a full schematic.

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SIZING

FINISHED BUST/CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE:
In inches: (30, 34, 38, 42) [46, 50, 54, 58] {62, 66, 70, 74}
In centimeters: (75, 85, 95, 105) [115, 125, 135, 145] {155, 165, 175, 185}

To choose your size, measure the circumference of your torso around the fullest part of your bust/chest and choose a size that fits with 0-20”/0-50cm of positive ease. Because the pattern instructs you to create the elastic bands based on your exact measurements, choosing a size with more ease will not impact the fit of the bands, but it will create more “gathers” in the fabric.

In the photos, Bettina is wearing a short size 8 (58”/145cm) with 4”/10cm of positive ease and size C bust darts in colorway “Pale Wisteria,” and Jacqui is wearing a long size 10 (66”/165cm) with 12”/30cm of positive ease and size C bust darts in colorway “Midori Green.”

→ To see how Bloom looks across the size range with varying amounts of ease, check out the test knitting round up here.

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GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette after blocking

Recommended needles: US 4 (3.5mm) 32”/80cm circular

Notions: stitch markers, locking stitch markers, darning needle, sewing needle and thread in color to match your yarn

Elastic requirements: approx. (2, 2, 2.5, 2.5) [2.5, 3, 3, 3.5] {3.5, 4, 4, 4} yds / (1.5, 2, 2, 2.5) [2.5, 3, 3, 3] {3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 4} m 3/4”/2cm wide elastic

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YARN

BLOOM was designed in Purl Soho Cattail Silk (618 yards/565 meters/100g), a light fingering weight 100% mulberry silk that is machine washable and creates a fabric with a gorgeous, buttery soft drape. Please note that all sizes will require an additional 30 yards/28 meters if you decide to add straps.

YARN REQUIREMENTS:
 
Short (fits more like a bralette/bandeau):
(320, 370, 410, 450) [490, 540, 580, 620] {660, 710, 750, 790} yards / (300, 340, 380, 420) [450, 500, 540, 570] {610, 660, 690, 730} meters
 
Long (fits more like a crop tank/tube top):
(430, 480, 540, 600) [650, 710, 770, 820] {880, 930, 990, 1050} yards / (400, 450, 500, 560) [600, 660, 710, 760] {810, 860, 910, 970} meters
 
NOTE: The yarn requirements listed here include enough yarn for all bust dart sizes. For more specific yarn requirements broken down by dart size, click here to down a free PDF with all the pattern details
 
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
Magpie Fibers Equinox Sport

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SHARING

See pictures of other Bloom bandeaus and share pictures of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag #BloomBandeau. Be sure to tag @jaqcieslak too!

All of my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive to fit up to at least a 60”/150cm full bust circumference.