The Thirties Top is a basic garment worked seamlessly from the top down in all over stockinette stitch. Featuring a simple European shoulder construction, it can be made either with a closed or open front. All the edges are done in double-knitting as you go, which means there are no finishing touches requiring picking up stitches, including at the underarms where a nifty trick allows for a continuous detail. The bottom hem is finished off with a clean i-cord bind off.

The stars of the show are the ribbons at the bottom of the V-neck: inspired by the Lavalliere or pussycat bows popularized in the 30ies, they can be knit short to be left hanging or a lot longer to tie a beautiful statement bow.

The design also includes optional horizontal bust darts as well as optional body shaping to allow for a perfect fit on all kind of bodies.

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

The pattern has been tested and professionally tech edited.

KEY FEATURES
Sport weight gauge
Top down flat or in the round
All over stockinette
Double knit edges worked as you go
Open / closed front options
V-neck
Ribbons at the bottom of the V-neck with 2 size options
Fitted at the chest
Optional body shaping
Optional horizontal bust darts
Includes guidance to modify the fit

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

NOTE: Sizes 8 and 9 haven’t been tested. If you wish to knit one of those sizes and have the corresponding upper bust measurement (not full bust), 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: -5 to +5 cm / -2 to +2” of ease at the chest. The pattern includes guidance to select the best size for your body type.

To fit chest measurement (the chest is measured at the upper bust, not the full bust):
70, 80, 90 (100, 110, 120) 130, 140, 150 cm / 28, 32, 36 (40, 44, 48) 52, 56, 60”

Chest circumference of the finished garment (these are rounded, see full size chart on the left):
70, 80, 90 (100, 110, 120) 130, 140, 150 cm / 28, 32, 36 (40, 44, 48) 52, 56, 60”

The model is 169 cm / 5’6” tall and has a chest of 85 cm / 33½” (full bust is 80 cm / 31’’). She is wearing a modified size 2 without bust darts.
Note that the row gauge of the open-front sample (brown, short ties) is too loose, hence why the V-neck and armholes fall lower than intended.

YARN USED IN SAMPLE
Studio Linen Eco by Erika Knight in colorway 421 Lighthouse (70% tencel, 30% linen, 120 meters / 131 yards per 50g)

Bouclé-Seide by Seiden Atelier, no colorway name (100% silk, 150 meters / 164 yards per 50g)

YARN REQUIREMENTS
A buffer for swatching purposes is already accounted for.
The optional bust darts will require an additional 22 meters / 24 yards to 130 meters / 140 yards (= 5 to 27 g of Studio Linen Eco).

500, 550, 600 (650, 700, 750) 800, 900, 950 meters
550, 600, 650 (700, 750, 800) 900, 1000, 1050 yards

210, 225, 250 (265, 290, 315) 340, 370, 390 g of Studio Linen Eco

GAUGE
Measured on wet blocked fabric over 10x10 cm / 4x4”.

Stockinette stitch flat and in the round: 23 sts by 35 rows/rounds

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

Main needles: 3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles
Spare needles: DPNs same size or smaller than Main needles

Notions:

• removable stitch markers
• scissors
• 1 unique marker (closed front option only)
• darning needle
• measuring tape
• waste yarn/stitch holders
• optional: 1 button of any size

SKILLS

• Knitting flat and in the round
• Increasing
• Decreasing
• Double knitting
• German short rows
• Long tail cast on
• Backwards loop cast on
• Cable cast on
• I-cord bind off
• Picking up stitches knitwise and purlwise (video tutorial)
• Grafting

Photo credit: @alexialinn__ on Instragram
Model: yours truly