The Chequered Zodiac Top is constructed by first knitting the back piece, then picking up stitches along each shoulder edge ready to work the shoulder panels. German Short Rows and increases / decreases are used to shape the shoulder panels and neckline. Stitches are then cast on and the two shoulder panels are joined ready to work the rest of the front body. The sleeves are then worked with some increases to shape the bell sleeves. Finish the top by sewing everything together and working the ribbed hems / collar in the round. The intarsia method is used throughout to work the chequered pattern.

Yarn & Materials

In our sample we have used Wensleyhaze to work the hems and collar. Yardage specifics are given in case of replacing these sections with a different base.

Qing Fibre Veranita - 79% cashmere, 21% silk, 25g - 300m / 328yrd.

Total 357, 376, 383, (411, 411, 439) 437, 472, 503 m / 390, 411, 419, (449, 449, 480) 478, 516, 550 yds. All sizes equal to 2 skeins.

Qing Fibre Wensleyhaze - 80% Wensleydale, 20% Super Kid Mohair. 50g - 300m / 218yrd.

Total 587, 622, 645, (685, 708, 748) 767, 815, 859 m / 641, 680, 705, (749, 774, 818) 839, 891, 939 yds. Equal to 3, 4, 4 (4, 4, 4) 4, 5, 5 skeins.

Body and sleeves excluding hems and collar 417, 440, 447, (480, 480, 513) 511, 551, 588 m / 456, 481, 489, (525, 525, 561) 559, 603, 643 yds.

Hems (sleeves and body) 80, 82, 88, (91, 98, 101) 106, 109, 112 m / 87, 90, 96, (99, 107, 110) 116, 119, 122 yds.

Collar 90, 100, 110, (114, 130, 134) 150, 155, 159 m / 98, 109, 120, (125, 142, 147) 164, 169, 174 yds.

Needles
Main body: 6.0mm / 10US
Ribbing: 5.0mm / 8US
Circular cable needle to work the hem in the round. DPN or circular cable needle to work the collar.

Gauge
13 sts x 24.5 rows for 10 x 10cm / 4 x 4” Swatch in stockinette stitch with 6.0mm / 10US needle.

Sizes
1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9.

To fit bust measurement
71-76, 81-86, 91-96 (101-106, 111-117, 122-127) 132-137, 142-147, 152-158 cm.

28-30, 32-34, 36-38 (40-42, 44-46, 48-50) 52-54, 56-58, 60-62 inches.

Positive Ease 26cm / 10.5” positive ease around the bust