Staple Linen Top

This is the perfect basic top for those warm days when your body is calling for something airy and breezy that lets your skin breathe. It is a very basic shape, timeless, that can be dressed up or down. I used a linen yarn that drapes beautifully, but it can also be worked in all kinds of materials: cotton, bamboo, hemp, silk, and even wool! This would make a really cool vest too. **SIZES** XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X). This is a close-fitting top, so an ease of zero or slightly-negative is recommended. Shown on a 36" bust in size M. **FINISHED MEASUREMENTS** Bust circumference: 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 68)"; 70 (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170) cm. Cross-back width at shoulders: 12¾ (14, 14¾, 16, 16¾, 17¾, 18¾, 19¾, 21, 22¾)"; 32 (35, 37, 40, 42, 44.5, 47, 49.5, 52.5, 57) cm. Armhole Depth: 6¾ (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10, 10½, 11, 11½)”;17 (19, 20, 21, 22.5, 24, 25, 26.5, 27.5, 28.5) cm. Length from underarm to hem: 12" (30 cm). **MATERIALS** Yarn: 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins of Petit Linen + by Espace Tricot [100% linen - 100g / 250y (228m)] or approx. 425 (500, 550, 625, 675, 800, 925, 1050, 1175) yards [387 (456, 501, 570, 615, 730, 843, 957, 1071) m] of sport weight yarn. The sample was knit using colorway Quiet Revolution (black). Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 2½ (3 mm) circular needles, at least 32” long. Other notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle. **GAUGE** 21 sts and 30 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch on US 4 (3.5 mm) needles. Linen yarns tend to grow vertically, so these directions will be written to knit to a shorter length accounting for a 15% growth after blocking. Before you measure, please take the time to wash and block your swatch in the same manner that you will wash and block your top.