Baybreeze Top - Knitting Pattern

This beginner-friendly, top-down top pattern includes a fitted look and simple ribbing details throughout. The classic fit of this top and the ease of the make will have you making a full collection, with a number of customizations - around the arm ruffles, double ruffle, dramatic ruffles - perfect for a variety of settings. This pattern is perfect for any body, any yarn, and any skill level.

Sizes

This pattern is written to meet the finished measurements in the chart provided below, with finished bust sizes: 28, 32, 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)[56, 60, 64, 68]"/71.5, 81.5, 91.5 (102, 112, 122, 132)[142.5, 152.5, 162.5, 173]cm, and waist sizes: 22, 26, 30, (34, 38, 42, 46)[50, 54, 58, 62]"/56, 66, 76.5 (86.5, 97, 107, 117)[127, 137.5, 147.5, 158]cm.

The sample was knit to about 2"/5cm of negative ease (smaller than my body measurements) throughout, with slightly more negative ease at the waist. With previous garments, I have found through testers and my own samples, that these patterns can easily accommodate from 4"/10cm of negative ease to 2"/5cm of positive ease.

Materials

You will need at least four stitch markers and one BOR marker, waste yarn, 3/4"/2cm elastic, thread and sewing needle, darning needle, scissors, measuring tape, and your super amazing body.

Techniques

You will need to know how to cast on with a provisional cast on, knit in the round, purl, increase, decrease, sewn bind-off, pick up stitches, kitchener, block, weave in ends, and have fun.

Suggested Yarn

Sunfish from thelittlewolfknits: 75/25 superwash merino/nylon, fingering weight 4-ply, 463yd/424m per 100g. The sample used two skeins of Up At Dawn.

Any light fingering should work – just make sure to adjust to get gauge.

-Alternatives include: Knit Picks Stroll, Cascade Yarns Heritage

Color Suggestions

Like I said, this pattern is perfect for any yarn, and can be made with a tonal or variegated AND it would make amazing scrappy project. Have random odds and ends lying around? Use them for a fun stripey version!

Suggested Needles

Ribbing Needle: US 4 (3.5mm) circular needle

Main Needle: US 5 (3.75mm) circular needle

Ruffle Needle: US 6 (4mm) circular needle

But use whatever needle you need to achieve gauge!

(Or just do the math and do your own thing)

Gauge

24 sts x 32 rows = 4”/10cm stockinette knit in the round and blocked with your main needle. When swatching, remember to cast on more stitches than you’re intending to measure so that you can get an accurate measurement (the end and beginning stitches tend to be looser). I recommend using this tutorial to start and finish the swatch for the most accurate measurements.

Yardage:

The yardage is based off a top with a body that measures 10, 10, 10 (11, 11, 11, 12)[12, 12, 13, 13]"/25.5, 25.5, 25.5 (28, 28, 28, 30.5)[30.5, 30.5, 33, 33]cm from top to bottom. In order to calculate yardage for the full length of your top, each additional 1"/2.5cm of length will require approximately an additional 26, 29, 33 (37, 40, 44, 47)[51, 55, 58, 62]yd/24, 27, 31 (34, 37, 41, 43)[47, 51, 54, 57]m to the yardage listed below.

333, 378, 419 (501, 575, 621, 724)788, 852, 968, 1023]yds/305, 345, 383 (458, 526, 568, 662)[721, 779, 885, 936]m. If using the suggested yarn, this would be 1, 1, 1 (2, 2, 2, 2)[2, 2, 3, 3] skeins of Sunfish yarn from thelittlewolfknits.

Body Only Ruffles (as shown)

For one moderate body-only ruffle knit to 3"/8cm, you will need an additional:

223, 255, 288 (313, 346, 379, 412)[445, 477, 510, 543]yd/203, 233, 264 (286, 316, 346, 376)[406, 436, 466, 497]m.

For one most dramatic body-only ruffle knit to 3"/8cm, you will need an additional:

278, 319, 360 (391, 432, 473, 514)[556, 597, 638, 679]yd/254, 292, 329 (357, 395, 433, 470)[508, 545, 583, 621]m.

Around the Arm Ruffles

For one moderate around the arm ruffle knit to 3"/8cm, you will need an additional:

379, 412, 461 (502, 551, 601, 658)[716, 773, 823, 872]yd/346, 376, 421 (459, 504, 549, 602)[654, 707, 752, 797]m.

For one most dramatic around the arm ruffle knit to 3"/8cm, you will need an additional:

473, 514, 576 (627, 689, 751, 823)[895, 967, 1028, 1090]yd/433, 470, 527 (574, 630, 686, 752)[818, 884, 940, 996]m.

Straps

For two straps as written, you will need an additional:

24, 24, 24 (24, 38, 38, 42)[51, 56, 61, 61]yd/22, 22, 22 (22, 35, 35, 39)[47, 52, 56, 56]m.