Puff sleeves, pleats, sheer mohair, and fitted shapes are my favourite design elements, and luckily they all go together rather nicely!

YARN
Yarn A: DK weight, approx. 476 (537; 608; 665; 739) 813; 888; 968; 1056 metres / 522 (588; 667; 729; 809) 891; 973; 1061; 1157 yards.

Sample shown in Shibui Knits Haven, a blend of 80% Merino and 20% Cashmere, in shade Suit. If using this yarn you will need 4 (4; 5; 5; 6) 6; 7; 7; 8 skeins.

Yarn B: laceweight, approx. 44 (50; 59; 65; 73) 80; 93; 105; 116 metres / 48 (55; 65; 72; 81) 88; 102; 115; 128 yards.

Sample shown in Shibui Knits Silk Cloud, a blend of 60% Kid Mohair and 40% Silk, in shade Suit. If using this yarn you will need 1 skein.

GAUGE
22 sts and 32 rows to 4” / 10cm in stocking stitch with Yarn A on 4mm needles, blocked.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
4mm and 3.75mm circular needles of length 24” / 60cm or 30” / 80 cm, depending on size.
4mm and 3.75mm needles of your preferred length for working sleeves (ie. magic loop, 2 circulars, DPNs).
1 button of approx 14mm diameter
2 spare DPNs for working pleats
2 stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Waste yarn

SIZING
Sizes 1 (2; 3; 4; 5) 6; 7; 8; 9 detailed below, designed to be worn with 0 - 2 inches / 0 - 5 cm positive ease. Sample shown is a size 2 worn on a 34” bust with around 0.5” / 1 cm positive ease. If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down.

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: 31 (34.5; 39; 42.5; 47) 50.5; 55; 58.5; 63 inches / 79 (88; 99; 108; 119) 128; 139; 149; 160 cm.
The Poisoned Apple Top is #SizeInclusive to a bust of 62 inches.

NOTES

Construction: the Poisoned Apple top is worked seamlessly from the top down. The upper back is worked first in Yarn A, followed by the upper front in mostly yarn B. Front and back stitches are then placed on the needle together to work the main body in rounds down to the waist. Optional bust darts can be added at this point.

The sleeves are worked by picking up around the armhole edge, working increases at the shoulder to create a ‘poof’, then filling in the set in sleeve ‘cap’ with short rows. A single box pleat gathers the sleeve into a ribbed cuff. Yarn A is used to pick up stitches around the neck for a ribbed neckband. Finally, a button loop is created using Yarn A and a button is attached to the back neck.

Choosing yarn: I would recommend choosing a DK weight yarn with plenty of body and not too much drape, as this will help the sleeves hold their shape. A laceweight non-mohair / non-fluffy yarn would make for an even more sheer panel than in the sample.

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