Mood is the second in a series of summer tops I’ve designed to celebrate our beautiful sunny country and stunning South African hand dyed yarns.

Mood is an elegant summer top with a beautiful scooped back, pretty shaped sleeves and subtle, flattering garter detailing. The fun sideways construction results in a top that will keep it’s shape beautifully over time. The front neckline is shaped and finished with picked up stitches.

The pattern includes full tutorials for special techniques and detailed diagrams for the construction. Skill level: Adventurous beginner to advanced

Recommended yarn: Vinnis Colours Nikkim, Wishbone Gloss Singles or Kid Solo (two strands held together), Yama Merino Linen Worsted, or similar worsted, fingering held double, or heavy DK yarn that gives the correct gauge.

Yarn requirements: Approximately 220 (230, 240, 250, 280) (300, 330, 370, 390) grams

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Final bust measurement (recommended negative ease: 5 - 15cm / 2 - 6”):
76 (79, 85, 89.5, 95) (101, 111.5, 119.5, 125.5) cm / 30 (31.25, 33.5, 35.25, 37.5) (40, 44, 47, 49.5) inches

Choosing your size:
Mood is designed to have negative ease - therefore the size you knit will be a smaller size than your actual bust measurement. Find the correct size to knit by taking your bust measurement and subtracting the amount of negative ease you would like your finished garment to have. Please see photo captions for size and ease of modelled garment.

Length (from top of shoulder to hem): 53 (54, 55.25, 56.5, 57) (57.75, 57.75, 59.5, 59.5) cm / 21 (21.25, 21.75, 22.25, 22.5) (22.75, 22.75, 23.5, 23.5) inches
Please bear in mind that more negative ease will effectively shorten the top - stitches can be added to the body if you prefer to keep the length.

Note on sizing: The pattern includes notes for changing the width of the neck and shoulders to suit narrower or more rounded shoulders in the relevant sections.

Gauge: 17 sts/26 rows = 10cm / 4” in Stockinette Stitch with larger needle after blocking and stretching after drying - see Swatching Instructions in pattern.

What you need:
Main needles: 2 sets minimum 100cm long circular needles in size needed to obtain gauge (samples were knit on 5mm needles, however you may need a different size.)
Smaller needles: 1 set minimum 80cm long circular needles in a size smaller.
4.5 – 5mm crochet hook
Scrap yarn for provisional cast on
Locking stitch markers
Darning needle