Seamless Willow Summer Top

Free Summer Top Knitting Pattern

Introducing the Seamless Willow Summer Top, a stylish and versatile knitting pattern that's perfect for warm weather! This beautiful top is designed to be worked seamlessly from the top down, with a circular yoke construction that creates a seamless and comfortable fit. The body and sleeves of the top are worked in classic stockinette stitch, giving it a clean and polished look. The real showstopper, however, is the stunning willow lace pattern that adorns the neckline and the sleeves' bottom, adding a touch of elegance and femininity to this summer staple. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or an advanced beginner looking for a new challenge, this pattern is sure to become a beloved addition to your wardrobe. Get ready to knit your way to a chic and stylish summer with the Seamless Willow Summer Top!

Size: M (L, XL)

Materials:
Louisa Harding (affiliate link) Willow Tweed DK weight yarn 128 yd (117 m)/50 gr - 6 (6, 7) skeins

Needles: circular 6 (3.5 mm) OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE

Gauge for stocking stitch: 18 st x 28 rows = 4" x 4" (10 x 10 cm)

Patterns:

Stocking Stitch
1 row and all odd rows - knit sts
2 row and all even rows - purl sts

In rounds: all rows - knit

Rib 1x1: k 1, p 1

Directions
The top is worked from the top to the bottom in rounds without seams.

Cast on 108 (120, 132) sts with provisional cast-on. Join and continue to work in rounds. Mark the beginning of the round.
Work stocking stitch for 2 rows. To shape the round yoke increase for 12 sts in a round in each odd row 9 (10, 11) times.

When making the increases, shift each increase for 3 sts to avoid the appearance of the increase lines.
Round 3: *k 9 (k 10, k 11), M 1* repeat 12 times
Round 4 and all even rounds: knit
Round 5: *k 10 (k 11, k 12), M 1* repeat 12 times, but shift the start of the round for 3 sts as follows: k 3, M 1, *k 10, M 1* repeat 11 times, k 7
Round 7: *k 11 (k 12, k 13), M 1* repeat 12 times
Round 9: *k 12 (k 13, k 14), M 1* repeat 12 times
Round 11: *k 13 (k 14, k 15), M 1* repeat 12 times
Round 13: *k 14 (k 15, k 16), M 1* repeat 12 times
Round 15: *k 15 (k 16, k 17), M 1* repeat 12 times
Round 17: *k 16 (k 17, k 18), M 1* repeat 12 times
Round 19: *k 17 (k 18, k 18), M 1* repeat 12 times (Total 216 sts after 19th round increase for M size)

For L (XL) size
Round 21: *k 19 (k 20), M 1* repeat 12 times (Total 240 sts after 21st round increase for L size)

For XL size
Round 23: *k 21, M 1* repeat 12 times (Total 264 sts after 23rd round increase for XL size)

Rounds 20-24 (22-26, 24-28): knit

For M size
To continue shaping round yoke increase for 16 sts in each 4th row 4 times. When making the increases, shift each increase for 3 sts to avoid the appearance of the increase lines.
Round 25: *k 13, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8
Round 29: *k 14, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8
Round 33: *k 15, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8
Round 37: *k 16, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8 (Total 280 sts after 37th round increase)
Round 38: knit

For L size
To continue shaping round yoke increase for 16 sts in each 4th row 4 times and by 8 sts once. When making the increases, shift each increase for 3 sts to avoid the appearance of the increase lines.
Round 27: *k 15, M 1*, repeat 16 times
Round 31: *k 16, M 1*, repeat 16 times
Round 35: *k 17, M 1*, repeat 16 times
Round 39: *k 18, M 1*, repeat 16 times
Round 43: *k 38, M 1*, repeat 8 times (Total 312 sts after 42nd round increase)
Round 44: knit

For XL size
To continue shaping round yoke increase for 16 sts in each 4th row 5 times. When making the increases, shift each increase for 3 sts to avoid the appearance of the increase lines.
Round 29: *k 15, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8
Round 33: *k 16, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8
Round 37: *k 17, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8
Round 41: *k 18, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8
Round 45: *k 19, M 1*, repeat 16 times, k 8 (Total 344 sts after 45th round increase)
Round 46: knit

Divide for sleeves
Back - 86 (96, 106) sts
Front - 90 (100. 110) sts
Sleeves - 52 (58, 64) sts each

Transfer back stitches to a separate needle and work 8 (10, 12) rows of stocking stitch back and forth.

Bodice
Knit row 9 (11, 13) of the back, cast on 6 sts with the single cast on, transfer 52 (58, 64) sts of the right sleeve to a length of yarn, knit 90 (100, 110) sts of the front, cast on 6 sts with the single cast on, transfer 52 (58, 64) sts of the left sleeve to a length of yarn, join and continue to work the bodice in the rounds (188 (208, 228) sts). Mark 3rd stitch out of 6 sts to mark for increase/decrease placement.

Work 12 rounds.
Work 8 (10, 12) short rows (back and forth) to shape bust darts as follows:
*Knit across front until 7 stitches remain to the left marker. Bring yarn to front of needle as though you are going to purl, slip stitch. Bring yarn to back of work. Turn work. (wrap)
Purl across row until 7 stitches remain to the right marker. Bring yarn to back of needle, slip stitch. Bring yarn to front of work. Turn work. (wrap from the purl side)*
Repeat from * to * 3 (4, 5) more times, increasing the number of unworked stitches at each edge by 7 each row. When working over the wraps, pick them up and purl or knit them together with the wraped stitch.
Starting where you are, knit all stitches and continue to work in rounds.
Work 28 rounds, to taper from the bust to the waist decrease for 1 st at each marker 7 times, in every 4th round.
Work 26 (28, 30) rounds.
Work 18 rounds increasing for 1 st at each marker 3 times in every 6th round.
Work rib 1x1 for 8 rounds. Cast off.

Sleeve
Sleeves worked in rounds on double pointed needles.
Transfer 52 (58, 64) sts from the yarn to the needles and pick up 20 (14, 20) sts over the underarm sts. You'll have 72 (72, 84) sts. Work 22 rounds.
Round 23: *k 11, p 1*, repeat 6 (6, 7) times
Round 24: *k 4, sk2p, k 4, yo, p 1, yo* repeat 6 (6, 7) times
Round 25: *k 9, p 3*, repeat 6 times
Round 26: *k 3, sk2p, k 3, yo, p 3, yo*, repeat 6 (6, 7) times
Round 27: *k 7, p 5*, repeat 6 times
Round 28: *k 2, sk2p, k 2, yo, p 5, yo*, repeat 6 (6, 7) times
Round 29: *k 5, p 7*, repeat 6 times
Round 30: *k 1, sk2p, k 1, yo, p 2, sp2p, p 2, yo*, repeat 6 (6, 7) times
Round 31: *k 3, p 7*, repeat 6 times
Round 32: *sk2p, yo, p 2, sp2p, p 2, yo*, repeat 6 (6, 7) times
Round 33: purl
Cast off.

Finishing:
Remove the waste yarn from the neckline cast on and transfer 108 sts to the circular needles.
Round 1: *k 11, p 1*, repeat 9 times
Round 2: *k 4, sk2p, k 4, yo, p 1, yo* repeat 9 (10, 11) times
Round 3: *k 9, p 3*, repeat 9 times
Round 4: *k 3, sk2p, k 3, yo, p 3, yo*, repeat 9 (10, 11) times
Round 5: *k 7, p 5*, repeat 9 times
Round 6: *k 2, sk2p, k 2, yo, p 5, yo*, repeat 9 (10, 11) times
Round 7: *k 5, p 7*, repeat 9 times
Round 8: *k 1, sk2p, k 1, yo, p 2, sp2p, p 2, yo*, repeat 9 (10, 11) times
Round 9: *k 3, p 7*, repeat 9 times
Round 10: *sk2p, yo, p 2, sp2p, p 2, yo*, repeat 9 (10, 11) times
Round 11: purl
Cast off.

Enjoy!

Diagram

August 12, 2011. Error on row 25 of the sleeve and neckline edging is corrected.