This pattern is for a summer cotton top with puff sleeves and detailed color work spelling out either the word “queer” or the word “sapphic”. The color work is very complicated and I don’t recommend this pattern for knitters who are unfamiliar with color work. If you have no/little experience with color work I recommend trying a more simple design before starting this pattern.

The top can be worn by people of any gender and size, as the pattern does not operate in traditional sizes, but allows for a more custom fit that embraces all body types and sizes :)

It is worked from the bottom up and the only sewing up is on the shoulder panels and under the arms. The pattern also includes variations in case you want the top to be shorter or made with non poofy sleeves.

Since the top is focused on queer identity and sexuality, I donated the first three months of proceeds to Stonewall and The Fund for Global Human Rights. Any purchases after the 21/7 2023 will not be included in this donation. Below are some details regarding sizing and yarn:

Skills Needed

• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• Increases and Decreases
• Intarsia and/or stranded color work experience highly recommended

Knit stitch

• Purl stitch
• Increases and decreases
• Intarsia and/or stranded color work experience highly recommended

Materials

• 3.5 mm (US 4) circular knitting needles (same needles will be used for ribbing and stockinette)
• Tapestry needle
• Yarn (see below)
• Yarn bobbins highly recommended
• 3.5 mm (US 4) double pointed needles (optional)
• Crochet hook (optional)
• Measuring tape

Yarn:

General
* The yarn used in the original pattern for the Queer Top is Drops Muskat cotton yarn (50 g, 100 m, 8 ply, DK/Worsted).

• You can play around with different yarn for this project, or even scrap yarn. The original Sapphic Top was for example made using mostly scrap or secondhand cotton. However, I recommend using cotton yarn of a similar weight and ply to what was used for the Queer Top.

• I very much recommend trying out different color combinations, so that you can find the color story for you! Nevertheless, if you want to use the colors I did, they are outlined below.

Recommended Drops Muskat colors
Queer: base (08), writing (40 , 29, 60, 18)
Sapphic: base (08), writing (29, 04, 10, 18)

• Recommended websites for buying the yarn Rito.dk Woolwarehouse.co.uk Garnstudio.com

Quantity of yarn:
* Intarsia: Since the Intarsia design on both shirts will remain the same in all sizes, you will need only one skein for each of the colors in the writing (four, or three if you are using the base color for the sparkles)

• Base color: In order to get an estimate of how much yarn to buy for this project, please follow the steps below:

1. Make one measurement around the point on your torso with the greatest circumference. Make sure you use centimeters.

2. Divide this number by 16.

For example, 83 cm / 16 = 5.2

1. If you get a decimal, like in the example, you will need to round the number up, even if it should not usually be rounded, for example:

83/16 = 5.2 ~ 6

1. If you have a longer torso, or you usually find you need extra yarn for a project, add 1 to the number you found in step 3. I also recommend adding 1 if your measurement is greater than 96 cm. This number is the number of skeins you will need to complete the project.

• For example, since the calculation above equaled 6, a person with a measurement of 83 cm would need 6 skeins of the base color.

Fit:
* Since the pattern is made to fit all different body types, the fit of the top will vary depending on body type. In general, the intention is that the top will be comfortable, but fitted over the area of the torso with the largest circumference.

• Depending on how much bigger the largest area is compared to the smallest area on an individual’s torso, the fit will be either looser or consistent for the rest of the top.

• For example, if a person with a larger chest were to make this pattern, it would be comfortably fitted around their chest, and would have a looser fit around their stomach. For a person with no great difference between the measurement of their stomach and chest, the top will be comfortably fitted in its entirety.

Calculating the Cast on (Sizing):

Since this pattern does not operate in traditional sizes, it requires a few calculations to start, which will be outlined in the pattern. I recommend continuing to measure and pay attention to the size and shape of your knitting as you begin the project so that you can make the necessary adjustments along the way that will make it the perfect fit for you.

Keep in mind that the Sapphic and the Queer color work takes up respectively 86 and 81 stitches in width, and that consequently the minimum cast on for the Sapphic Top is 172 and for the Queer Top is 162.

If you have any further questions about the pattern feel free to write to me on my instagram @knitting_Glitter or on my email: knittingglitter12@gmail.com