The Olive Top was inspired by 90s and early 2000s silhouettes, my love of cables, and an appreciation for simplicity and understated elegance.
This top is worked bottom-up in the round until the underarm. The front and back are then worked flat and seamed at the shoulders. A specialty, non-rolling edge finishes the neckline. The pattern is designed with negative ease for a close fit and customisable lengths to achieve your ideal fit. It is knit in a lightweight cotton blend to hold shape and texture.
First knit on warm spring days in April ‘25, it came together in the initial wave of grief after my brother’s passing. In that space, knitting became a comfort or rather something to hyper-fixate on, and this top took shape. Named for him, Olive is a nod to the Latin root of Oliver: “olivarius” meaning “olive branch bearer.”

Difficulty Level
Beginner/Advanced or Adventurous Beginner

Sizes
(XXS) XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL
Finished bust circumference of the top per size:
(59) 69 (77) 86 (96) 107 (117) 127 (137) 148 cm

This top is designed to be close-fitting, with approximately 7-10 cm of negative ease across the bust.

When choosing your size:

• For a slightly-fitted look (that is not tight across the waist), select a bust circumference from the table below that is approximately 7-10 cm smaller than your actual bust measurement.
• To achieve a more fully-fitted look, go down one size from the size you would choose when following the indications above.
• For a more relaxed look, choose the size closest to your actual bust measurement (this may require additional decreases at the underarms).

Techniques Used
Cast on & cast off/bind off
Knit & purl
Decreasing
Working in the round on circular needles
Cables (tutorials included)
Selvedge stitch
Seaming (mattress stitch)
Neck edge stitch (video + written tutorial included)

Materials
Yarn:
Drops Cotton Light (50% Cotton, 50% Polyester; 50 g skein = approx 105 m);
(5) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (8) 8 (9) 9 skeins needed
Note: This is calculated based on an underarm to cast-on edge length of 37cm, if you wish to knit longer you will need more yarn.

OR a DK/light worsted weight cotton blend that matches gauge (see Gauge).

Needles:
4mm/US 6 circular needles using a cable length that will more or less match the bust circumference.
Notions:
Cable needle
Stitch markers — removable
Length of waste yarn to hold stitches
Tapestry needle
Tape measure

Gauge
10 x 10 cm = 21 sts x 28 rows in stockinette stitch using 4mm/US 6 needles after blocking.
If your gauge measures less than the required size, try a larger needle size. If the gauge measures more, try a smaller needle size.

Recommended addition to gauge: Add an extra 5 or 6 rows to the gauge and practice working the non-rolling edge when casting off your gauge to help get neater results when working the top.