And now for a bit of upcycling.

This lightweight swing top features an unusual ingredient: old underwear. I used men’s tattered boxers, but any single jersey scraps are fine, as long as they are 100% cotton (without lycra / spandex).

For the main fabric, I chose an unbranded linen-cotton slub yarn from my stash. Anything thin, light and and drapey with a bit of texture will do.

The top is worked all in one piece and from the top down. For the embellishments, the jersey fabric is threaded through the purl stitches of the (charted) motifs - no sewing or “proper” embroidery required!

Of course you can leave out the motifs altogether to make a plain top.

This is an easy knit - skills required are just k and p in the round, cast on and bind off. Increases and decreases are explained in the pattern. For the (optional) button, some very basic stitching is required.

S (to fit bust 82-89 cm / 32-35 in)
M (to fit bust 90-97 cm / 36-38 in)
L (to fit bust 98-107 cm / 39-42 in)
XL (to fit bust 108-119 cm / 43-47 in)

The length is 81 - 83 - 84 - 84 cm / 32 - 32.5 - 33 - 33 in, not including the elongated tips at the front and sides.

You will need:

• fingering weight yarn, I recommend linen, cotton or hemp with an uneven texture, e.g. slub: for sizes S - XL, 300 - 350 g. My sample in Size L weighs in at just 210 g, so the yardage I quote here is on the generous (or safe) side.
• two circular needles, 80 cm / 32 in or longer; 4 mm / US 6 or size to obtain gauge
• 8 stitch markers
• lightweight 100% cotton jersey, enough to cut 22 strips, 2.5 cm / 1 in wide and up to 25 cm / 10 in long, cut with the grain of the fabric (= lengthways)
• 1 small flat button, such as a shirt button (I used one from those discarded boxers)
• darning needle
• large-eyed tapestry needle
• sharp scissors, sewing needle and matching thread