Summerdown is an oversized, lightweight, and drapey top with just a hint of lace; perfect for throwing on to add a bit of warmth on a summer evening.

With a clever top-down construction that needs minimal seaming, Summerdown is a great way to get started with lace knitting. The lace bands running down the top of the ¾ length dolman sleeves are worked separately from the rest of the top, and feature a simple 10-row repeat.

Once the lace detail is complete, the rest of the top flows from there, with stitches picked up in the large slip-stitch edges of the lace bands and worked downwards to complete the top.

The open gauge and stocking stitch body are perfect for showing off hand dyed yarn – like the colourways Adventures in Yarncraft created just for this top.

Summerdown is size inclusive, with 9 sizes to fit bust sizes from 28-62in (70-158cm).

Key information

The Summerdown top is worked from the top down, and is mostly seamless. Construction starts by knitting two bands of lace which run along the tops of the sleeves. Stitches are picked up from these bands to work the back of the sleeves, with stitches cast on between them for the back neck.

The back sleeves are then placed on hold while stitches are picked up and worked for each front sleeve, before the fronts are joined by casting on stitches for a slightly scooped neck. The sleeve shaping is worked down to the bottom of the armholes, then the work is joined in the round and knitted down to the cropped waist. Finally, stitches are picked up for the ribbed cuffs and neckline.

The Summerdown top is a size-inclusive pattern, with 9 sizes to fit a range of bust sizes from 28-62in (70-155cm), designed to be worn with 8-10in (20-25cm) positive ease (see table on page 3 for finished measurements). Instructions are written as sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9, so make sure you’re following the correct instructions for your selected size.

Suggested yarn: Fingering weight yarn held double with laceweight yarn OR a single strand of DK weight yarn. Something with a bit of natural drape works well with this pattern; the sample is knitted in Adventures in Yarncraft merino singles held double with suri silk.

Yarn requirements:
Size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9}:
480 (550, 590, 630, 700) 740, 800, 840, 900 m / 525 (602, 645, 689, 766) 810, 875, 919, 985 yds.

The figures given here are for the total amount of yarn required for each weight. So, for example, a size 5 top knitted in DK weight yarn would need 700m / 766yds, while the same top knitted in fingering and laceweight held double would need the same amount of each for both the fingering and lace weight.

Suggested needles (and notions):

• 5.5mm (US 9) and 4mm (US 6) circular needles

• 4mm (US 6) double pointed needles, or long circular for magic loop

• scrap yarn or stitch holders

• tapestry needle