This lovely top became my constant travel companion for at least half a year. I finally finished it while sitting in a café in Cologne, Germany – just across from the Hohenzollern bridge. It seemed fitting, then, to name it Brücke (brew-kuh), which means “bridge” in German, because the little cables mimicked the crisscross design atop the arches that leapfrog over the top of the bridge.

CONSTRUCTION

This boxy, slightly cropped tee is knit bottom-up with dolman-style shaping for the short sleeves. It features a cable check pattern that continues partway into the upper body. While the construction is relatively simple, increasing in pattern for the sleeve shaping (which also transitions from round to flat partway through), does require a bit of focus. The instructions will guide you step by step with both written and charted directions. There’s also a video tutorial for the shoulder seaming process. The finished fit is light and loose and flattering for a range of figures.

SKILL LEVEL
Confident Intermediate

SIZES
S (M, L/XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X)

FIT ADVICE
This top is designed for a relaxed, casual fit. Use the hip circumference as your guide, since the upper body shaping (at the bust) extends into the sleeve. The top is designed to have positive ease throughout the upper body, but it can fit more closely at the hip (unless you want extra room, which is also fine).

GAUGE
27 st and 34 rows/rounds in 4 in (10 cm) in Cable Check pattern with largest needle, blocked

YARN
Fingering Weight | Ito Yarns Shimo | 80% wool, 20% silk | 291 yards (266 meters) in 50 grams | 1149 (1222, 1300, 1378, 1461, 1519, 1580, 1643) yards /1050 (1117, 1188, 1260, 1335, 1388, 1444, 1502) meters | Color Shown: Straw #0860
Note: Variations in yarn choice or row/round gauge may impact yarn consumption. If in doubt, round up to the nearest skein.

NEEDLES
US Size 4 (3.5 mm)* 24-40 in (60-100 cm) circular needle – body
US Size 3 (3.25 mm)16-24 in (40-60 cm) circular needle – neckline edge
US Size 3 (3.25 mm) 12 in (30 cm) circular needle or DPNs – sleeve edge
Or size needed to achieve gauge. Adjust other needle sizes accordingly.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Hip Circumference (blocked): 39 (42.75, 46.25, 53.25, 57, 60.5, 64, 67.5) in/97.75 (106.75, 115.5, 133.25, 142.25, 151, 160, 169) cm

Sleeve Edge to Sleeve Edge (across): 23 (25, 26.75, 28.5, 30.25, 32, 33.75, 35.5) in/57.75 (62.25, 66.75, 71, 75.5, 80, 84.5, 89) cm – measured across from one sleeve edge to the other

Underarm to Hem (prior to sleeve shaping): 11 (11.75, 12.5, 13, 14, 14, 15, 16) in/ 27.5 (29.5, 31.25, 33, 35.5, 35.5, 38, 40.5) cm

Neckline Circumference: 18 (18, 19.25, 20.25, 20.75, 20.75, 21.5, 22) in/41.25 (41.25, 43.25, 45.25, 46.75, 46.75, 48.25, 49.75) cm

Back of Neck Width (prior to rolled edge): 7.5 (7.5, 7.75, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8) in/18.5 (18.5, 19.25, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20) cm