Underlace top

Why choose lace or stripes when you can have both? The Underlace top is designed to give the appearance of delicate lace peeking out under a solid layer, whilst actually being 1 seamless piece. This allows plenty of scope for playing with colour - bold stripes, contrast edgings, fades, contrast binding, or all 1 shade all work! **YARN** Fingering / 4ply weight yarn, approximately 501 (560; 641; 712; 785) [859; 946; 1028; 1120] metres / 548 (612; 701; 779; 858) [939; 1035; 1124; 1225] yards total. See Notes on choosing yarn. If working stripes as in the sample, you will need approximate quantities: **Yarn A (lighter):** 299 (333; 379; 423; 466) [508; 562; 610; 662] metres / 326 (364; 414; 463; 509) [555; 615; 667; 725] yards **Yarn B (darker):** 251 (280; 321; 356; 393) [430; 473; 514; 560] metres / 274 (306; 351; 390; 429) [470; 518; 562; 613] yards Sample shown in Qing Souffle Pure in shades Lace and Chestnut (yarn not yet listed on Ravelry so an similar fingering weight listed). **GAUGE** 24 sts and 34 rows to 4” / 10cm in stocking stitch, blocked. Suggested needle size 3.75mm. **NEEDLES & NOTIONS** 3.75mm and 3.25mm circular needles of length 24” / 60cm or 30” / 80 cm, depending on size, for working body 3.75mm circular needles of length 16” / 40 cm for edgings 4.5mm circular needle of any length for armhole lace 2 stitch markers Tapestry needle Waste yarn **SIZING 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:** 28.5 (32.5; 36.5; 40.5; 44.5) [48.5; 52.5; 56.5; 60.5] inches / 72 (82; 92; 102; 113) [123; 133; 143; 153] cm. **NOTES** **Construction:** the Underlace top is worked seamlessly from the top down. Stitches are cast on across the back shoulders, which are shaped into a gently curved neckline using short rows. The upper back is worked back and forth in rows down to the underarm. Stitches are picked up along the cast on edge of the back to work the front shoulders and upper body. The upper front is worked down to the underarm to match the back, before joining together the upper front and back to work the main body in the round. Wide stripes are worked throughout. Picking up around the armholes and neckline and working 1 garter ridge produces a neat border. Lace edgings for both the armholes and neckline are worked separately, and attached to the body using a 3 needle bind off. **Choosing yarn:** yarn used in sample is technically a fingering weight, but produces a reasonably substantial fabric when knit to the recommended gauge on 3.75mm needles. Other fingering weight yarns may produce a looser fabric, and some sport weight yarns may knit up perfectly to this gauge. Providing gauge is met and you are happy with the fabric, either a fingering or sport weight yarn can be used. **Pattern support:** for pattern support queries please EMAIL lilykate@jolihouse.com rather than sending an Instagram DM. I LOVE seeing people knit my patterns and make them their own - if you could tag [@lilykatemakes][1] and [#UnderlaceTop][2] on Instagram that would be great! [1]: https://www.instagram.com/lilykatemakes/ [2]: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/underlacetop/