Use code RAV_CELESTIA to get a 15% discount. Code is valid until 22nd June 23:59 BST.

Meet the Celestia Top – where ancient tradition meets a bold, modern vibe. This seamless, top-down yoke design is all about making a statement while staying totally wearable. With short sleeves, double-layered hems, and a never-ending colourwork motif, Celestia is the perfect summer knit for anyone who loves colour and doesn’t want the fun to stop.

The motif itself is inspired by my Latvian roots—a sun symbol connected by a web of intricate branches. It’s got a meditative rhythm to knit, and the larger blocks of solid colour provide that unique visual impact.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try using colour-changing yarn for that magical effect. And if you’re into clever techniques, this is the perfect project for practicing the ladderback jacquard to handle those long floats.

For the best results, go with a high-contrast colour combo to get the motif to show fully. Whether you’re drawn to the symmetry, the colours, or the techniques, this project is a joy to knit. And the compliments you’ll get on the finished piece are a sweet cherry on top.

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French, German, Spanish and Portuguese translation provided by knitlingo.com

Difficulty: Intermediate

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

Finished chest circumference:

• 91.5 (100, 111.5, 121.5, 130, 141.5, 150, 161.5, 171.5) cm
• 36½ (40, 44½, 48½, 52, 56½, 60, 64½, 68½)” Designed to be worn with 10-15 cm / 4-6” positive ease around the chest.

Yarn: Sport weight. depending on the length of the top and shaping option, allow approximately:

Main colour (MC):

• 620 (675, 770, 865, 920, 1010, 1090, 1150, 1230) m
• 680 (740, 840, 945, 1005, 1105, 1190, 1260, 1345) yds

Contrast colour (CC):

• 445 (495, 545, 595, 655, 705, 755, 830, 880) m
• 485 (540, 595, 650, 715, 770, 825, 910, 960) yds

Yarns used in sample (size 2) are 3 skeins of Spincycle Yarns Dyed In The Wool (100% American Wool; 183 m 200 yds / approximately 47 g) in colourway Fine Line as contrast colour (CC) and 5 skeins of The Fibre Co. Road to China Light (65% Alpaca, 15% Silk, 10% Camel, 10% Cashmere; 145 m 159 yds / 50 g) in colourway Mother of Pearl as main colour (MC).

Gauge: 26 sts & 32 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stranded colourwork in the round, on larger needles, blocked.

Suggested needles:

• 3.25 mm (US 3) or needle size required to obtain gauge. These should be circulars 60-100 cm / 24-40” long.
• 2.75 mm (US 2) or size smaller than gauge needles for the neckband. These should be circulars 40-60 cm / 16-24” long.

Notions: Stitch markers, locking stitch markers and/or bobby pins if using Japanese short rows, row counter, stitch holder, tapestry needle, spare circular needle (in smaller size), measuring tape.

Techniques used: Knitting in the round, short rows, stranded knitting, lifted increases, Ladderback jacquard, 3-needle bind-off.

Notes: The top is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down.