The Willow Top is worked from the top down with raglan increases on the yoke. Short rows are worked along the back of the neck to shape the neckline. The body and sleeves are worked in the round, with the body and sleeves finished with an elongated rib edge. The neck rib is worked last, from stitches that are picked up and knitted around the neck opening. This neck rib can be left open to create a fold-over collar, or buttoned up with snap closures to create a turtleneck.

Sizes:
1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8) 9

Sizes 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8) 9 correspond to a chest circumference of 71-76 cm (81-86 cm) 91-97 cm (102-107 cm) 112-117 cm (122-127cm) 132-137 cm (142-147 cm) 152-157 cm [28-30” (32-34”) 36-38” (40-42”) 44-46” (48-50”) 52-54” (56-58”) 60-62”]. Ranti has a chest size of 94 cm [37”] and wears a size 3.

The Willow Top is designed to be fitted at the waist with a positive ease of approx. 1-3 cm [1-11⁄4”] at the chest circumference. The measurements for the finished top can be found on page 3 of the pattern (NOTE! These measurements only apply if the correct gauge is maintained throughout).

Schematics can be found here.

Measurements:
Chest Circumference: 77 (87) 97 (107) 117 (127) 137 (147) 157 cm [30¼ (34¼) 38¼ (42¼) 46 (50) 54 (57¾) 61¾”]
Garment Length: 52.5 (53.5) 54.5 (56) 57 (58.5) 60 (61) 62 cm [20¾ (21) 21¾ (22¼) 22½ (23¼) 23¾ (24¼) 24½”]

Gauge:
20 sts x 27 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4”] in stockinette stitch pattern on 4.5mm [US 7] needles.
28 sts x 36 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4”] in 1x1 rib stitch on 3.5mm [US 4] needles.

Needles:
3.5mm [US 4] circular knitting needles (40-80 cm [16-32’’] in length).
4.5mm [US 7] circular knitting needles (40-80 cm [16-32’’] in length).

Suggested Yarn:
7 (8) 9 (9) 10 (11) 12 (13) 14 skeins of Pura Lana by Gepard Garn (50% Merino Wool, 50% Alpaca, 50 g=115 m [126 yds]).

Or approx 785 (860) 935 (1050) 1110 (1210) 1330 (1430) 1525 m [855 (950) 1025 (1150) 1215 (1325) 1455 (1565) 1665 yds] of a similar DK-weight yarn.

Alternative yarn suggestions are Lima by Drops and Andes by Amano Yarns.

Notions:
8 stitch markers including 1 BOR marker, stitch holders/scrap yarn, tape measure, scissors, tapestry needle (to weave in ends), 5 snap closures or buttons.

Techniques:
Long-tail cast-on, backwards-loop cast-on, knitting flat, knitting in the round, knit, purl, increasing, decreasing, German short rows, slipping stitches, picking up stitches, tubular bind-off.

Sample Colours:
The grey top is knitted in Pura Lana by Gepard Garn and shown in the colour ‘Bunny (152)’.

The green top is knitted in Heather Prime Alpaca by Galler Yarns and shown in the colour ‘Tourmaline’.

If you have any questions or comments about the pattern, you can email me at studioranti@gmail.com.