Sleeveless lace top

When summer heats up take it in your stride with Sarah Hatton’s pretty sleeveless top in cool cotton.

Every knitter has their favourite garment shape, and this simple knit is possibly one of the most wearable for all. With the back and front knitted identically, and the addition of a simple lattice lace panel at the top, we’re sure this neat, sleeveless wonder will slip neatly into your summer wardrobe this year. Worked in 4ply, its straightforward structure is a leisurely pleasure to knit, creating a neat, tight construction that’s a joy to wear too.

BACK AND FRONT

(BOTH ALIKE)

Cast on 149 (161: 177: 189: 205) sts using

2 mm needles.

Row 1 (RS) K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end. Row 2 *P1, K1; rep from * to last st, P1. These 2 rows set rib.

Cont in rib for 3cm, ending after a WS row.

Knit 4 rows, dec 1 st at end of first of these rows. [148 (160: 176: 188: 204) sts]

Change to 3mm needles.

Beg with a RS (knit) row work 10 (10: 12: 12: 12) rows straight in st st, ending after a WS row.

Next row (RS) K3, skpo, knit to last 5 sts, k2tog, K3. [2 sts dec’d]

Beg with a WS (purl) row, work 7 rows straight in st st, ending after a WS row. Rep last 8 rows 10 more times.

[126 (138: 154: 166: 182) sts]

Cont straight until work meas 35 (36: 37: 38: 39)cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

SHAPE ARMHOLES

Cast off 9 (10: 12: 13: 15) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [108 (118: 130: 140: 152) sts] Next row (RS dec) K3, skpo, knit to last 5 sts, k2tog, K3. [2 sts dec’d]

Next row (WS dec) P3, p2tog, purl to last 5 sts, P2togtbl, P3. [2 sts dec’d] Rep last 2 rows 2 (3: 4: 4: 5) more times, then RS dec row once more.

[94 (100: 108: 118: 126) sts]

Work 1 row straight.

Rep RS dec row again. [2 sts dec’d] Rep last 2 rows 2 (2: 2: 2: 3) more times. [88 (94: 102: 112: 118) sts]

Cont straight until armhole meas 7 (7: 8: 8: 9)cm, ending after a WS row.

Beg eyelet patt as foll:

Row 1 (RS) K3 (2: 4: 3: 2), (k2tog, yo, K2) 0 (1: 0: 0: 1) time, *yo, skpo, k2tog, yo, K2; rep from * to last 1 (4: 2: 1: 4) sts, (skpo, yo) 0 (1: 0: 0: 1) time, K1 (2: 2: 1: 2). Row 2 Purl.

Row 3 K3 (2: 4: 3: 2), (yo, skpo, K2) 0 (1: 0: 0: 1) time, *k2tog, yo twice (to create a double loop), skpo, K2; rep from * to last 1 (4: 2: 1: 4) sts, (k2tog, yo) 0 (1: 0: 0: 1) time, K1 (2: 2: 1: 2).

Row 4 Purl, working into front and back of each double yo.

Row 5 K2 (3: 3: 2: 3), (k2tog, yo, K2) 1 (0: 1: 1: 0) time, *yo, skpo, k2tog, yo, K2; rep from * to last 4 (1: 5: 4: 1) sts, (yo, skpo) 1 (0: 1: 1: 0) time, K2 (1: 3: 2: 1).

Row 6 Purl.

Row 7 K2 (3: 3: 2: 3), (yo, skpo, K2) 1 (0: 1: 1: 0) time, *k2tog, yo twice, skpo, K2; rep from * to last 4 (1: 5: 4: 1) sts, (k2tog, yo) 1 (0: 1: 1: 0) time, K2 (1: 3: 2: 1).

Row 8 Purl, working into front and back of each double yo.

These 8 rows set pattern.

Cont straight in patt as set until armhole meas 18 (19: 20: 21: 22)cm, ending after a WS row.

SHAPE FIRST SIDE OF NECK

Next row (RS) Patt 13 (16: 19: 24: 26), turn and leave rem sts on a holder. Cont on these sts only for first side of neck.

Note From this point, where you cannot work a corresponding dec and yo, work

in st st instead.

Work 1 row straight.

Next row (RS dec) Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [1 st dec’d]

Next row (WS dec) P1, p2tog, patt to end. [1 st dec’d]

Rep last 2 rows twice more, then the RS dec row once more. [6 (9: 12: 17: 19) sts] Cont straight in patt until armhole meas 22 (23: 24: 25: 26)cm, ending after a WS row.

Cast off.

SHAPE SECOND SIDE OF NECK

With RS facing, leave 62 (62: 64: 64: 66) sts on a holder for centre neck, rejoin

yarn to rem sts and patt to end. Work 1 row straight.

Next row (RS dec) K1, skpo, patt to end. [1 st dec’d]

Next row (WS dec) Patt to last 3 sts, P2tog tbl, P1. [1 st dec’d]

Rep last 2 rows twice more, then the RS dec row once more. [6 (9: 12: 17: 19) sts]

Cont straight in patt until armhole meas 22 (23: 24: 25: 26)cm, ending after a RS row.

Cast off.

TO MAKE UP

Join right shoulder seam.

NECKBAND

With RS facing, using 2 mm needles, pick up and knit 12 sts down left side of neck, knit across 62 (62: 64: 64: 66) sts from front neck holder, pick up and knit 12 sts up right side of neck, pick up and knit 11 sts down right side of back neck, knit across 62 (62: 64: 64: 66) sts from back neck holder, pick up and knit 12 sts up left side of back neck.

[171 (171: 175: 175: 179) sts]

Knit 4 rows, ending after a RS row. Beg with a WS row, work 5 rows in rib as set on body.

Cast off in rib.

Join left shoulder and neckband seam.

ARMHOLE BORDERS

(BOTH ALIKE)

With RS facing, using 2 mm needles pick up and knit 153 (163: 173: 181: 191) sts evenly around armhole edge. Knit 4 rows, ending after a RS row. Beg with a WS row, work 5 rows in rib as set on body.

Cast off in rib.

Join side seams.

Block gently to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band.

MEET OUR DESIGNERSarah Hatton“I wanted to create a top that would be really versa le. This one's slightly ared shape means it looks great with jeans as well as a summer skirt.” is Summerlite 4ply made of fine a cotton creating super-soft finish

Newcomers to lace work will love the small patterned panel over the shoulders of this top.

Two rows of understated reverse garter stitch add a pleasing detail to your top.

Finish the armholes with a simple 1x1 rib to match the front and back sections.

Rowan Summerlite 4ply comes in 24 shades, including a new selection of spicy summer options.

Working in a 4ply weight yarn creates a neat, well-defined stitch throughout your knit.