Bees and Blossoms summer-tee

Towards the end of each winter, I start dreaming of sun, bees, blossoms and I always try to design at least one new top to wear when the sunny days arrive. This is the first top of this year, and I just can't wait to wearing it. **The pattern is tested** by a group of talented knitters (list at the bottom of these notes). And all of my testers found this to be a fun and easy knit. **Design and construction** Easy-fitting summer-top with possibilities of adding/subtracting length to the body, as well as to the sleeves. The shoulders are slightly sloped to ensure a great fit. The rounded neckline has a flattering curve. The top is worked bottom-up and in the round to underarms, and the upper front and back are worked flat in separate pieces. The shoulders are shaped by short-rows and worked together from WS using the 3-needle bind-off method, or grafting. The sleeves are worked in the round and top-down from picked-up and knit sts around the armhole openings, and the neckline is also worked from picked-up and knit sts. Finishing work is limited to weaving in ends and blocking. **Sizes:** Finished chest measurements, after washing/blocking and worked at gauge: 77/84/92/100/108/115/123/131/138/146/154 cm = 30/33/36/39/42.5/45/48.5/51/54/57.5/61”. **Materials** **Yarn:** I used ”Organic Cotton” from Krea Deluxe. This sport weight yarn comes in balls of 50 gr/1.76 oz and 165 m/185 yards. I recommend any fingering/sport with great stitch-definition that knits up to gauge. Of the specific yarn above you will need approximately 750/790/870/950/1025/1110/1210/1310/1450/1490/1620 m = 820/865/950/1035/1120/1210/1320/1430/1580/1625/1770 yards. **Needles:** size 3 mm/US2.5 (or size to obtain gauge) for the entire top. **Notions:** 1 removable stitch-marker. Blunt tapestry needle. Measuring tape. Blocking tools convenient for the yarn you are using. **Gauge:** 26 sts and 35 rounds/rows in pattern (except rounds 5 – 8) = 10 x 10 cm/4 x 4”. To obtain gauge, I used needles size 3 mm/US2.5. For best results, I recommend that you work at gauge. **The pattern** - The pattern is tested and proof-read. - All lace and textures are charted, as well as written out round-by round (and row-by-row for the upper body). - There is a schematic. - All measurements are given in cm's, as well as in inches. **Techniques involved** - Cast-on - Bind-off - Working in the round - Working flat - Working lace and textures, following charts and/or written instruction - Short-rows (explained) - 3-needle bind-off, or grafting (links provided) - Picking-up and knit sts **Knitting skills:** intermediate **Thanks to all my lovely and talented testers:** Alohatnt / annadema / aomalley / CairAndros / Dreguylou / ejmsasha / foranpdx / Gemzones / kostelnice / LakeLinda / Manufactum / mizvalski / tastywench TheLadyEden and SKYSNOTHELIMIT