the Lowdown top & a new pattern store

New pattern and a new store, how exciting for a dreary Monday in June! This one’s actually kind of a new-old pattern – I originally knit a version of this top back in 2012 (!!) and have worn said version every summer since. So I figured that if it’s been so wearable and lasting for me, it would probably be a good idea to write the summer top knitting pattern up for others. And here we are! It’s rare that I make something long-line (cropped sweater fanatic over here) but this dipped hem just seems to work, and is so easy to wear. There are now 3 versions in my wardrobe to be worn on repeat all summer, anyway! The maths nerd in me loves using shaping to create the perfect fit in knitted garments, and this one was most definitely a fun challenge in that respect. Since it’s designed to be a fitted garment, I really wanted the tunic shape to hug the body all the way down. Hence the Lowdown Top pattern features different decreases at the front and back (with a tick sheet listing these round by round), and optional bust darts in 2 different cup ranges, all in 9 sizes. The spreadsheet required was rather extensive, but the fit has received good feedback so hopefully it was worth it!

NEW PATTERN STORE

In other news, my patterns are now available to download directly via my blog. Knitters may be aware of the accessibility issues with Ravelry lately, and to be honest the situation has just given me the nudge that I needed to actually crack on with something that had been on my To-Do list for far too long. The layout isn’t quite how I’d like it just yet, but whilst I continue to figure it out, you can now access all my patterns via the Knitting Patterns tab. Each pattern is embedded within its related blog post, and all the same details from the Ravelry page (yarn amounts, sizing etc) are also included. Hopefully all should run smoothly, but if you have any issues just drop me an email at lilykate@jolihouse.com.

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LOWDOWN TOP DETAILS

Yarn: Aran weight yarn, 473 (532; 615; 676; 753) [829; 915; 982; 1091] metres / 517 (582; 673; 739; 823) [907; 1001; 1074; 1193] yards. Shown in Rico Creative Cotton Print Aran in shade 024, Navy-Green spray. If using this yarn you will need 6 (7; 8; 8; 9) [10; 11; 12; 13] 50g balls.

Needles & notions: 5mm circular needles of your preferred length; smaller sizes will likely need 60 cm / 24” circulars, larger sizes will likely need longer. 4.5mm needles in your preferred length for working relatively small circumferences (armhole edgings and neckband). You will also need scrap yarn for holding stitches, lockable stitch markers, and a tapestry needle.

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows to 4 inches / 10 cm in stocking stitch on 5mm needles, blocked.

Sizing: 1 (2: 3: 4: 5) [6: 7: 8: 9] detailed below, designed to be worn with 1 – 3 inches / 2.5 – 7.5 cm negative ease. Sample shown is a size 2 worn on a 34” bust with around 3 inches of negative ease. The Lowdown Top is size inclusive to a bust of 62”, with the intended negative ease.

To fit bust: 28-30 (32-34; 36-38; 40-42; 44-46) (48-50; 52-54; 56-58; 60-62) inches
71-76 (81-86; 91-97; 102-107; 112-117) (122-127; 132-137; 142-147; 152-157) cm.

Finished bust circumference: 27.5 (31; 35.5; 39; 43.5) (47; 51.5; 55; 59.5) inches
69 (78; 89; 98; 109) (118; 129; 138; 149) cm.

Construction: the Lowdown top is worked seamlessly from the bottom up. The lower back and lower front are worked separately at first to create the split hem, with the back slightly wider than the front so to curve around the side of the body. Both pieces are then are joined in the round to work the main body. Waist shaping is worked for a fitted shape; the decreases are worked differently at the back and front to hug the contours of the body. After shaping the bust, the back and front are again separated to work the upper chest section. Shoulder seams are sewn and stitches are picked up around the armholes and neck to create ribbed edgings.

Bust darts: this top features optional bust darts, to ensure that the front does not ride up when worn over a larger bust.

I LOVE seeing people knit my patterns and make them their own – if you could tag @lilykatemakes and #LowdownTop on Instagram that would be great.

The Lowdown Top pattern is also available via Ravelry here.

Seeing all the fabulous test knitter versions of a pattern honestly makes me so happy. I’ve played it pretty safe with all 3 versions of my Lowdown top (white, blue, and… white with blue bits) but my wonderful test knitters were far more creative! Don’t the bright / stripy / trimmed versions look great?