An everyday summer top that hugs your body just nicely.

Yarn: Aran weight yarn, 473 (532; 615; 676; 753) 829; 915; 982; 1091 metres / 517 (582; 673; 739; 823) 907; 1001; 1074; 1193 yards. Shown in Rico Creative Cotton Print Aran in shade 024, Navy-Green spray. If using this yarn you will need 6 (7; 8; 8; 9) 10; 11; 12; 13 50g balls.

Needles & notions: 5mm circular needles of your preferred length; smaller sizes will likely need 60 cm / 24” circulars, larger sizes will likely need longer. 4.5mm needles in your preferred length for working relatively small circumferences (armhole edgings and neckband). You will also need scrap yarn for holding stitches, lockable stitch markers, and a tapestry needle.

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows to 4 inches / 10 cm in stocking stitch on 5mm needles, blocked.

Sizing: 1 (2: 3: 4: 5) (6: 7: 8: 9) detailed below, designed to be worn with 1 - 3 inches / 2.5 – 7.5 cm negative ease. Sample shown is a size 2 worn on a 34” bust with around 3 inches of negative ease.

To fit bust: 28-30 (32-34; 36-38; 40-42; 44-46) (48-50; 52-54; 56-58; 60-62) inches / 71-76 (81-86; 91-97; 102-107; 112-117) (122-127; 132-137; 142-147; 152-157) cm.

Finished bust circumference: 27.5 (31; 35.5; 39; 43.5) (47; 51.5; 55; 59.5) inches / 69 (78; 89; 98; 109) (118; 129; 138; 149) cm.

NOTES

Construction: the Lowdown top is worked seamlessly from the bottom up. The lower back and lower front are worked separately at first to create the split hem, with the back slightly wider than the front so to curve around the side of the body. Both pieces are then are joined in the round to work the main body. Waist shaping is worked for a fitted shape; the decreases are worked differently at the back and front to hug the contours of the body. After shaping the bust, the back and front are again separated to work the upper chest section. Shoulder seams are sewn and stitches are picked up around the armholes and neck to create ribbed edgings.

Bust darts: this top features optional bust darts, to ensure that the front does not ride up when worn over a larger bust.

The Lowdown Top is #SizeInclusive to a bust of 62”, with the intended negative ease.

I LOVE seeing people knit my patterns and make them their own - if you could tag @lilykatemakes and #LowdownTop on Instagram that would be great!