The June Top Light is worked from the bottom up. The body is worked in the round in stockinette stitch, then the work is divided into front and back, and each section is finished separately by working back and forth in stockinette stitch. The pattern also contains instructions for working the top from the middle by using a provisional cast-on, so the length of the top can be adjusted at the end. The June Top Light is designed to have a deeper neckline on the back – but only so deep that it still covers the bra. A small i-cord edge is worked along all edges.

Size guide

The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL are designed to fit a bust circumference of approx. 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39½) 39½-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ inches], which means that the June Top is designed to have approx. 6 cm [2¼ inches] of negative ease. Before beginning your project, measure yourself to determine which size to knit. For example, if you measure 89 cm [35 inches] around your bust (or around the widest part of your upper body) you should knit a size S. A size S top has a bust circumference of 83 cm [32¾ inches] which in the given example would give you 6 cm [2½ inches] of negative ease.

The model in the photos is wearing a size XS and has a bust circumference of 83 cm [32¾] and is 164 cm [approx. 5 feet 4 inches] tall. The top in the photo has 4 cm [1½ inches] of negative ease.

Sizes: XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL

Bust circumference: 79 (83) 90 (94) 101 (113) 123 cm [31¼ (32¾) 35½ (37) 39¾ (44½) 48½ inches]

Total length: 50 (52) 54 (56) 58 (59) 61 cm [19¾ (20½) 21¼ (22) 22¾ (23¼) 24 inches]

Gauge: 28 sts x 40 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on 2.5 mm [US1½] needles

Needles: 2.5 mm [US1½] / 80 cm [32 inches] and 2 mm [US0] / 40 and 80 cm [16 and 32 inches] circular needles

Materials: 100 (100-150) 150 (150) 200 (200) 250 g Pure Silk by Knitting for Olive (50 g = 250 m [273 yds]) or 150 (150) 150 (150-200) 200 (250) 250 g Merci by Filcolana (50 g = 200 m [219 yds])

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ (3 out of 5)