West Coast Top - Knitting Pattern

This adventurous beginner, top-down top pattern includes a fitted look and an extra pop of openings along the back. Whether you want to do a completely open back, or a number of straps, and a fixed bottom or a tie, this mix and match pattern will have you making a completely unique and customizable top just for you. 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, 173cm, 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, 158cm.

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, 1”/2.5cm elastic, extra (and smaller) needle to pick up provisional stitches, 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 one skein of Raspberry.
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
Main Needle: US 5 (3.75mm) 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 that measures 10, 10, 10 (11, 11, 11, 12)12, 12, 13, 13“/9.5, 9.5, 9.5 (10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 11)11, 11, 12, 12cm 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, 62yd/24, 27, 31 (34, 37, 41, 43)47, 51, 54, 57m to the yardage listed below.

For the tie-back version you will need: 418, 473, 526 (643, 741, 802, 951)1036, 1113, 1290, 1362“/383, 433, 481 (588, 678, 734, 870)947, 1018, 1180, 1245m. If using the suggested yarn, this would be 1, 2, 2 (2, 2, 2, 3)3, 3, 3, 3 skeins of Sunfish yarn from thelittlewolfknits.

For the fixed back version you will need: 328, 374, 419 (527, 593, 645, 782)850, 913, 1076, 1140yd/300, 342, 383 (482, 543, 590, 715)835, 984, 1042m. 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.

Abbreviations
CO – cast on
k – knit
BOR – beginning of round
p – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker
m1l – make one left
m1r – make one right
k2tog – knit two together
ssk – slip slip knit
BO – bind off
* X * – repeat between asterisks
PU – pick up