Etrusca Sleeveless Top

The intricate ornamentation of ancient Etruscan jewelry was the inspiration for this top, in which a lustrous gold-colored yarn and the varied surfaces of garter stitch, a simple lace border, and slipped stitches combine to create a richly textured fabric.

To keep the border stitch pattern complete, no partial repeats were used, limiting the number of sizes to four; to fit a wider range of measurements, dimensions are given below for these sizes worked in four different yarn gauges, and a number of yarn substitutions are suggested (some of which I have swatched).  Knitting progress is given both in inches and in rows, so that a yarn of a different gauge than that pictured can be easily substituted.  Note that if yarn is substituted, yarn requirements are a rough guide only! 

The pictured top has staggered waist decreases and increases; all slipped stitch columns curve slightly in and then out at the waist.  But since the decreases and increases show slightly (look closely at photos), directions are also given for working all waist shaping at the sides only, if desired.  Front and back are worked flat to take advantage of the garter stitch base (knit every row!).

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate:  skills include reading chart, increases/decreases, three needle bindoff, and picking up stitches for neckband and armhole trim.

GAUGE
20 sts/26 rows to 4” in st st; 19 sts/30 rows to 4” in EG (Embellished Garter) and charted lace patterns.  EG and lace patt row gauges are different from that of st st (st st gauge given mainly to make yarn substitution easier); to calculate garment length you will need your EG row gauge.  Check gauge on blocked swatch.

SIZES & MEASUREMENTS for gauges 21 (20, 19, 18) sts to 4” in EG patt.
Note that sizes S-XL do NOT necessarily correspond to the sizes given in the CYC standards.  Bold #s are for gauge as given above; if only one # appears, it applies to all gauges.
                         S                              M                               L                           XL       
Bust/  31 (32½, 34, 36)       37 (39, 41, 43)        43 (45, 47½, 50)        49 (51 ½, 54½, 57)”             
Hem      79 (83, 86, 91)     94 (99, 104, 109)    109 (114, 121, 127)     124 (131, 138, 145)cm
Waist  27 (28½, 30, 31½)    33 (35, 36½, 38 )     39 (41, 43½, 45 ½)     45 ½ (47½, 50, 53)”
             69 (72, 76, 80)         84 (89, 93, 98)      99 (104, 110, 116)     116 (121, 127, 135)cm
Length             20                                 21                                22                            23”
                       51                                 53                                56                           58 cm
Armhole depth 5½                                6                                6½                            7”
(approx)          14                                15                                17                           18 cm
Armhole circ    14                                15½                             17                           19”
(approx)           36                                39                                43                          48 cm
Shown in size S and gauge 19 sts/4”, with bust circumference of 34” and 1” ease.

The top is shown with a deep scooped neck in front and medium scooped neck in back:  it can also be worn backwards, OR worked as two “fronts” or two “backs.”

MATERIALS
Karabella Empire Silk (100% silk), color 504 deep gold, 6 (7, 9, 10) skeins, or 540 (630, 810, 900) yds.
US size 7/4.5 mm circular needle, 24” US size 7/4.5 mm straight knitting needles.  Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
Stitch holders, tapestry needle

SUGGESTED YARN SUBSTITUTIONS
(Same gauge/needle size as above):
Berroco Touche’ (cotton/rayon), suggested color 7912 Dijon; Classic Elite Premiere (cotton/Tencel), suggested color 6212 Mimosa.

FOR OTHER GAUGES:
Tilli Tomas Fil de la Mer (silk/seacell) on US size 6 needles for 21 sts to 4” in EG patt, suggested color Goldenrod; Berroco Touche’ on US size 8 needles for 18 sts to 4” in EG patt.

Or try these (not swatched by me):
Louet Euroflax on US size 5-7 for 18-22 sts to 4” in st st, color Mustard; Berroco Ultra Silk (rayon/nylon/silk) on US size 10 for 19 sts to 4” in st st, suggested color 6113 Dijon.

Click here to purchase pattern pdf!  Includes all written instructions, chart, schematic and photos.

Comments

[Adrienne]

It turned out beautifully!!!!!!!!!

[Misty the Kneedler]

It's a beautiful top!

[Danièle]

Beautiful !!!!!Thanks
Danièle

[Michele]

I love this! And I think it's ingenious that it can be worn backwards/frontwards. I think I want to make the front neckline a little higher for a little more coverage, and you have already planned that for me. Thank you!

[fiberlicious]

I'd love to buy the pattern, but I don't do PayPal. Is there another option?

[Diana]

Wow, that's gorgeous! I found your site through a google search for Euroflax, so I'm glad that you had that noted as a possible sub or I never would have seen this.