This pattern is on sale with a 20% discount, no coupon required. Sale ends midnight AST November 7th.

BRERA TOP

Sweater & Tee | DK Weight | Lace | Three Sleeve Options

Inspired by the charming, meandering streets of Milan’s Brera district, the Brera Top features an elegant, allover lace motif that brings beautiful texture and movement to a wonderfully versatile design.

With its relaxed, drop-shoulder silhouette and simple ribbed finishes, Brera can be knitted as a breezy sleeveless top, a short-sleeved tee or a cozy long-sleeved sweater. One pattern, three distinct looks!

The lace is engaging yet easy to memorize, making this a satisfying project with plenty of opportunity to customize the finished garment. Choose a cool cotton blend for warmer days or a beautiful wool DK for a sweater that will carry you into the cooler months.

SIZES & FIT

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Finished bust: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 53, 57, 61)“ / 85 (95, 105, 115, 124, 133, 143, 153) cm

Designed for approximately 4–10” / 10–25 cm of positive ease, depending on your preferred fit.

Samples shown in Size 3 on a 36” / 90 cm bust.

Body length and sleeve length can be customized.

YARN

Sleeveless & Short-Sleeved Versions

Garnstudio DROPS Belle – Colour 34, Purple Orchid
53% Cotton, 33% Rayon/Viscose, 14% Linen/Flax
131 yds / 120 m per 50 g

Sleeveless:
670 (750, 830, 910, 990, 1050, 1125, 1205) yds
615 (685, 760, 830, 905, 960, 1030, 1100) m

Short-Sleeved:
735 (820, 910, 995, 1080, 1145, 1235, 1320) yds
670 (750, 830, 910, 990, 1045, 1130, 1205) m

Long-Sleeved Version

Les Garçons British DK
70% Bluefaced Leicester, 30% Masham
262 yds / 240 m per 100 g

Single-colour option – total yarn required:
795 (890, 980, 1075, 1170, 1240, 1330, 1425) yds
725 (815, 895, 985, 1070, 1135, 1215, 1305) m

For the colour-blocked sample:

MC – Seattle (body & collar):
480 (535, 590, 645, 705, 745, 800, 860) yds
440 (490, 540, 590, 645, 680, 730, 785) m

CC – Vancouver (hem & sleeves):
315 (355, 390, 425, 465, 490, 530, 565) yds
290 (325, 355, 390, 425, 450, 485, 520) m

All yarn quantities correspond to Sizes 1–8.

GAUGE

21 stitches × 26 rows = 4” / 10 cm in lace pattern.

Sample gauge achieved using:

• US 5 / 3.75 mm needles with DROPS Belle
• US 4 / 3.5 mm needles with Les Garçons British DK

Stitch gauge is most important, as the pattern uses measurements rather than row counts for garment length.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• Needles required to obtain gauge
• Needles approximately two sizes smaller for collar, hem and ribbed sleeves
• Optional needles three sizes smaller for hem bind-off
• Stitch markers for shaping and lace repeats
• Tapestry needle
• Waste yarn or Barber Cord

SKILL LEVEL & TECHNIQUES

Intermediate

Techniques include reading lace charts, yarn overs, decreases, increases, knitting flat and in the round, picking up stitches and working ribbed finishes.

The repeating lace motif is simple to establish and becomes wonderfully rhythmic as the garment progresses.

CONSTRUCTION

Brera begins at the upper back and shoulders, with neckline and shoulder shaping worked from the top down. The front and back are then worked separately to form the armholes before being joined to continue the body seamlessly in the round.

The garment features a relaxed drop-shoulder shape, a ribbed neckline and hem, and three finishing options:

• Sleeveless: A clean, relaxed armhole for a lightweight summer top.
• Short-sleeved: A fitted ribbed sleeve extending partway down the upper arm.
• Long-sleeved: An elegant, fitted ribbed sleeve with optional contrasting colour for a distinctive colour-blocked look.

The pattern includes instructions for all three versions, with opportunities to personalize the body and sleeve lengths.

Three seasons, three sleeve options, and one beautiful lace design — the Brera Top is a wonderfully versatile addition to your handmade wardrobe.

Designed by Beth MacDonald Stone — Knitting Designs from the Rock