The Plume Top is a halter style summer garment with a simple but striking vertical lace detail resembling feathers that seem to grow and radiate from the neckband. It features a keyhole opening on the back of the neck, closed by a ribbon that adds whimsy to an overall feminine and cute piece. The project is finished off with an i-cord bind off that will naturally follow the scalloped edge of the feather-like lace motif.

The pattern includes different shaping options: a straight or A-line body, optional horizontal bust darts as well as guidance to modify the yoke depth and bust circumference on the go. The design also comes with instructions for a dress version. The eyelet texture will make sure the fabric is not too heavy and flows effortlessly over the wearer, making this garment elegant and comfortable to wear even in the heat of summer.

To see different versions of the pattern knit in various yarns, sizes, fibers and colors, you can check out the testers’ versions under the “Project” tab at the top of the page, or the #PlumeTop and #PlumeDress on Instagram.

The pattern has been tested and professionally tech edited.

KEY FEATURES
Light fingering/fingering weight gauge
Top down flat then in the round
All over very easy lace
I-cord edges worked as you go
Scalloped bottom
Keyhole opening on the back, closed with a ribbon
Halter neck
Cropped or dress lengths
Slightly oversized at the bust
Optional body shaping
Optional horizontal bust darts
Includes guidance to modify the fit

SIZES
1, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9, 10

NOTE: Sizes 9 and 10 haven’t been tested. If you wish to knit one of those sizes and have the corresponding bust measurement, please contact me via e-mail: if you agree to do so, I will send you the pattern for free for testing.
#sizeinclusive

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Suggested ease: 10 to 20 cm / 4 to 8” of positive ease at the chest. If between sizes, size up.

To fit full bust measurement:
75, 85 (95, 105, 115, 125) 135, 145, 155, 165 cm / 30, 34 (38, 42, 46, 50) 54, 58, 62, 66”

Full bust circumference of the finished garment (these are rounded, see full size chart the side):
90, 100 (110, 120, 130, 140) 150, 160, 170, 180 cm / 36, 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) 60, 64, 68, 72”

The model is 169 cm / 5’6” tall with an 80 cm / 31’’ full bust. She is wearing a size 2 without bust darts. White top is cropped, no body shaping; dress has A-line shaping.

YARNS USED IN SAMPLE
Dress sample: Pure Silk by Knitting for Olive, colors Plum, Pea Shoots and Dusty Honey (100% silk, 250 m / 273 y per 50 g, light fingering weight)

White sample: discontinued lace weight held double (55% silk, 45% cotton, 375 m / 410 y per 50 g)
Note on this yarn: the brand uses AI generated images on their website so I have chosen to not mention them. I have contacted them and am waiting to see if they will remove the images.

YARN REQUIREMENTS
A buffer for swatching purposes is already accounted for. The following lengths are for a single strand. The optional bust darts will require an additional 17 m / 18 y to 90 m / 100 y.

Top, crop length (A-line body):
490, 530 (600, 680, 710, 790) 860, 940, 1010, 1130 m
540, 580 (660, 740, 780, 860) 940, 1030, 1100, 1240 y
100, 110 (120, 135, 145, 155) 175, 185, 200, 220 g of Pure Silk

Top, full length (A-line body):
600, 640 (710, 830, 860, 940) 1050, 1130, 1200, 1310 m
660, 700 (780, 910, 940, 1030) 1150, 1240, 1310, 1430 y
1120, 130 (145, 160, 175, 190) 210, 220, 240, 260 g of Pure Silk

Dress (A-line body):
1500, 1650 (1800, 1950, 2100, 2250) 2400, 2550, 2750, 3000 m
1650, 1800 (1950, 2150, 2300, 2450) 2650, 2800, 3000, 3300 y
300, 330 (360, 390, 420, 450) 480, 510, 550, 600 g of Pure Silk

If working stripes, you will need 67% of MC, 11% of C1 and 22% of CC2.

GAUGE
Gauges are measured over 10x10 cm / 4x4” using Main needles.
Row gauge flat is more important than stitch gauge in this design (more explanations included in the pattern).

Stockinette stitch gauge: 30 sts by 41 rows/rounds
Lace motif gauge: 29 sts by 38 rows/rounds.

SUGGESTED NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
Needles are all circular, of various lengths (depending on the garment size you’re working up).

Main needles: 3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles
Small needles: 2.75 mm / US 2, or 1 size smaller than Main needles

Notions:
removable stitch markers
scissors
1 unique marker
darning needle
measuring tape
waste yarn/stitch holders
optional: 1 to 1.5 m / 3.25’ to 5’ long and 1.5 cm / 0.6” wide ribbon

SKILLS

• Knitting flat and in the round
• Long tail cast on
• Increasing
• Lace work (yarn overs and decreases)
• Cable cast on
• Knitting an i-cord
• Binding off stitches
• I-cord bind off
• Picking up stitches
• Knitting together a live stitch with a picked up stitch
• German short rows (optional)
• Grafting

Photo credit: @alexialinn__ on Instragram
Model: yours truly