Firefly is my homage to summertime, being a carefree kid, and chasing fireflies. A lightweight frock just for grown-ups, Firefly is knit seamlessly, top-down. Sparsely placed eyelets gradually grow closer
to one another, evocative of a swarm of fireflies.

The top begins with a provisional cast-on; straps and yoke are knit in the round in seed stitch, with mitred increases. One strand each of laceweight and cobweb weight are held together for yoke, i-cord
edgings, and eyelet band. (For these portions, you could also consider using a light fingering weight yarn that compliments your laceweight) The lace portion and ruffle are knit with a single strand of laceweight. Delayed decrease eyelet lace, adapted from Barbara Walker’s “Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns”, gives the top an especially delicate, feminine look.

Special techniques include provisional cast-on, i-cord edgings, and Japanese short-rows for bust shaping. All of these are explained with links to additional tutorials.

Although the sample pictured is knit in a slubby cotton/silk/cashmere blend, Firefly will work well with smoother yarns as well.

To fit bust sizes: 32(34,36,39,42) inches & 46(50,54) inches
there is one pdf file for each group of sizes

(sample in photos is the 34” size shown on a 34” bust; choose the size closest to your actual bust size)

Gauge: 8 sts and 10.5 rows = 1 inch in stockinette on size 2 needle & one strand of laceweight
8 sts and 12 rows = 1 inch in seed st. on size 1 needle & one strand each of lace and cobweb weights
6 sts and 9 rows = 1 inch in eyelet chart 8 on size 2 needle & one strand of laceweight

Materials:
-yarn: 730(775,815,890,965)/1090(1180,1270) yds Colourmart Cotton/Cashmere/Silk Slub 2/17NM Heavy Laceweight, shown in Dune

150(155,165,180,195)/240(260,280) yds Colourmart Silk 2/28NM Lace Weight, natural

optional: 150(155,165,180,195)/240(260,280) yds light fingering weight, for use where one strand of laceweight and cobweb weight are
called for

-size 1 (2.25mm) circular knitting needle 24”
-size 2 (2.75mm) circular knitting needle 24”, and 30-36” (for ruffle)
-two dpns, size 1
-row counter
-safety pins or other split ring markers (for bust short-rows)
-4 stitch markers
-ribbon, i-cord, twisted cord, etc for drawstring; should measure about 1/2 yd longer than bottom circumference of shirt