My favourite thing to do is take something from my closet (that I did not knit) and re-interpret it in knitting. So, I have a black, pin-stripe, oversized, A-line shirt with a zippered panel in the back. I love it, wear it often, and needed to knit it.

And here it is—with major differences! Instead of a pin-stripe, this is done in lace. Instead of a zipper, this has button loops. And, most importantly, the piece in the back is not done in the same colour. And it need not be done in the same yarn either: the back panel could be done in a lighter yarn.

For the red version, I used the same yarn in a different colour: for the gray version, I used a lighter yarn in a different colour. So, after picking your main colour, you could go stash diving for your coordinating yarn?

I do have to end by saying that, in my Knit to Flatter and Fit class, we find out that pretty much everyone looks good in an A-line—as long as it is long enough (covering the heavier part of the leg). It’s so easy to wear, I now find it difficult to draft or knit anything that isn’t an A-line!

Note This garment is similar to my Back-Panel A-line Top, also available here. There are differences—the other is sleeveless, shorter, narrower, has a halter neckline plus different armhole, and is done in a finer gauge. But, if you are adept at pattern drafting, you could buy this one and sort out how to make the other—by looking at the photo? Or vice versa? (It was a shop owner who pleaded with me to not print these as one pattern: too long and complex with so many options. So I bow to her experience and offer you this note.)