The Rainbow Top is a seamless-looking yet structured sleeveless top worked flat from the bottom up in separate Front and Back pieces. The design features decorative textured stitch patterns, a shaped V-neckline, polished armhole edging, and clean shoulder construction finished with live-stitch grafting for a refined professional look. The armholes and neckline are finished by picking up stitches along the edges and working decorative ribbing in the round.

Detailed written instructions, charts, schematics, and step-by-step video tutorials are included for all key techniques and finishing steps.

Construction

Worked flat from the bottom up in separate Front and Back pieces.
Shoulders are joined using Kitchener stitch grafting. Side seams are sewn using mattress stitch. Armhole and neckline edgings are worked in the round from picked-up stitches.

Skill Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Techniques Used

• lace knitting
• V-neck shaping
• mattress stitch seaming
• Kitchener stitch grafting
• decorative ribbing worked in the round
• bobble stitches
• cable crosses without a cable needle

Size Guide

The Rainbow Top is designed with approximately 5–16 cm / 2–6.25” of positive ease at the bust, depending on the selected size and desired fit.

Sizes S (M) L (XL) are designed to fit the following body measurements:

Bust Circumference

85–90 (90–95) 95–100 (100–106) cm
33.5–35.5 (35.5–37.5) 37.5–39.5 (39.5–41.75)“

Waist Circumference

66–70 (70–76) 76–80 (80–88) cm
26–27.5 (27.5–30) 30–31.5 (31.5–34.5)“

Upper Arm Circumference

24–28 (28–32) 32–36 (36–40) cm
9.5–11 (11–12.5) 12.5–14 (14–15.75)“

Measure yourself before beginning your project and choose the size that corresponds closest to your body measurements.

Finished Measurements

Finished garment measurements are shown in the schematic and include the intended positive ease.

Bust Circumference

92 (104) 116 (128) cm
36.25 (41) 45.75 (50.5)“

Gauge

1. Pattern 1

22 sts × 28 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4”

1. Decorative Ribbing

24 sts × 40 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4”

1. Stockinette Stitch

22 sts × 29 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4”

Needles

3 mm (US 2.5) circular needles:

• 16” / 40 cm for armhole edging
• 24” / 60 cm for neckline edging
• 24”, 32”, or 40” / 60, 80, or 100 cm for ribbing

3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles:

• 24”, 32”, or 40” / 60, 80, or 100 cm

Or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

• stitch markers
• tapestry needle
• stitch holders or scrap yarn
• 3 mm (US C-2/D-3) crochet hook

Yarn

Option 1:

YarnArt Summer Dream
70% Cotton, 30% Viscose
100 g = 350 m / 383 yds

Required yardage:

• S — 200 g / 700 m / 766 yds
• M — 250 g / 875 m / 958 yds
• L — 300 g / 1050 m / 1149 yds
• XL — 400 g / 1400 m / 1532 yds

Option 2:

Estelle Yarns 50 Cotton Lux
93% Cotton, 4% Polyester, 3% Polyamide
100 g = 320 m / 350 yds

Required yardage:

• S — 200 g / 640 m / 700 yds
• M — 250 g / 800 m / 875 yds
• L — 300 g / 960 m / 1050 yds
• XL — 350 g / 1120 m / 1225 yds