Equal parts effortless and elevated, the Adella Top is a lovely pick for any seasonal occasion. This top is worked in stockinette stitch with ruffle details over each shoulder and down the front and back of this top. The finishing of the round neckline, armholes, and hem are worked with single ribbing. With its subtle flair and elegant ruffle accents, this warm-weather staple is easily dressed up for an evening out.
Time: 46 Hours project
Skill level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 35.35 (39.35, 43.35, 47.35, 51.35)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”
3.35″ positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 39.35″
Gauge: 23 sts and 28 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in St st with larger needle, after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Scheepjes Catona (100% mercerised cotton, 136 yards [125 meters]/50 grams): #400 petrol blue (9 (10, 11, 12, 13) balls)
Needles: US size 3 (3 mm) 16″ [40 cm] circular needle; US size 4 (3.5 mm) 40″ [100 cm] circular needle
Notions: Tapestry needle, locking stitch markers
Abbreviations
KRL: Insert the RH needle from back to front into the right side of the next st on LH needle one row below, place this stitch on the left needle, and knit this new st. (1 st increased)
MPLL: Slip the next st to RH needle, insert the LH needle from bottom up through the head of the purl st just below the needle, place this stitch on the right needle, and purl this new st. (1 st increased)
Special Stitches
Shadow-wrap short-rows
There are many methods of knitting short rows, but the shadow-wrap is by far my favorite. It is easy to work and almost invisible.
On RS: Knit to where you are instructed to turn a short row. Before you turn, work a KRL into the next stitch on LH needle. Pass that new stitch back to the left needle so it sits next to its “shadow”. Mark these 2 sts with a locking stitch marker. Turn work and purl back.
On WS: Purl as instructed in pattern to prepare to turn a short row. Before you turn, work a MPLL into the next stitch on your left needle. Slip the “shadow” stitches together back to the LH needle and mark them with a locking stitch marker. Turn your work and knit back.
Pattern Notes
The back and front are worked flat from the bottom up and seamed. After joining the shoulders, stitches are picked up along the sides for working the ruffles with short rows.
Pattern
Back
With larger needle, CO 105 (117, 129, 140, 151) sts and work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib.
Next row (RS): Work is St st. Mark the bar after the first 20 (20, 21, 23, 28) sts and before the last 20 (20, 21, 23, 28) sts, to mark the point where sts will be picked up for the long ruffle.
Cont in St st until piece measures 14.60 (14.20, 14, 13.60, 13.60)”, finishing with a WS row.
Mark the bar after the first 18 (18, 19, 21, 26) sts and before the last 18 (18, 19, 21, 26) sts, to mark the point where sts will be picked up for the short ruffle, before starting armhole shaping.
Shape armhole:
BO 3 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts at the beg of next 2 rows, 3 sts at the beg of next 4 rows, 2 sts at the beg of next 2 rows, 1 st at the beg of next 4 (6, 8, 10, 18) rows. (79 (87, 95, 104, 105) sts rem)
Cont even until armhole measures 7.90 (8.30, 8.70, 9, 9.50)”, finishing with a WS row.
Shape shoulders & neck:
Note: Neck shaping beg at the same time as shoulder shaping; read the following section all the way through before proceeding.
BO 4 (4, 6, 7, 7) sts at armhole edge of next 8 (2, 4, 4, 4) rows, 0 (5, 5, 6, 6) st(s) at armhole edge of next 0 (6, 4, 4, 4) rows. (0 sts rem)
At the same time, on first row of shoulder shaping, shape neck as follows: BO center 17 (19, 21, 22, 23) sts. Working each side separately, BO at neck edge: 5 sts 3 times.
When all shaping is complete, fasten off.
Front
Work as for back, until armhole measures 4.70 (5.10, 5.40, 5.70, 5.90)”, finishing with a WS row.
Shape neck:
BO center 15 (17, 19, 20, 21) sts. (32 (35, 38, 42, 42) sts rem each side)
Working each side separately, BO at each neck edge 4 sts once, 3 sts once, 2 sts once and 1 st 7 times. (16 (19, 22, 26, 26) sts rem)
Cont even until armhole measures 7.90 (8.30, 8.70, 9, 9.50)”, finishing with a WS row.
Shape shoulders:
Shape shoulders as for back.
Finishing
Block all pieces to finished measurements. With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, sew shoulders.
Short ruffle:
Lay piece horizontally in front of you, with the armhole at the top.
With larger needle and ball of yarn underneath the fabric, pick up and knit a total of 120 (124, 132, 140, 144) sts between the 2 stitch markers (60 (62, 66, 70, 72) sts each before and after shoulder seam), which are located below the armhole. Cut yarn to bring above the fabric.
Turn piece, re-join yarn and work a WS row.
Next row (RS): *K2, M1, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. (179 (185, 197, 209, 215) sts)
Work 1 WS row.
Next row (RS): *K3, M1, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. (238 (246, 262, 278, 286) sts)
Work 1 WS row.
Cont shaping ruffle with short rows, as follows:
Short row 1(RS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 2 (WS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts, MPLL & turn.
Short row 3 (RS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 4 (WS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, MPLL & turn.
Short row 5 (RS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 6 (WS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts MPLL & turn.
Short row 7 (RS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 8 (WS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, MPLL & turn.
Short row 9 (RS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts KRL & turn.
Short row 10 (WS): Work to last 20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, MPLL & turn.
Next row (RS): K to end of row, knitting tog the “shadow” sts.
Next row (WS): P to end of row, knitting tog the “shadow” sts.
BO all sts.
Rep for the short ruffle on right armhole.
Long ruffle:
Lay piece horizontally in front of you, with the armhole at the top.
With larger needle and ball of yarn underneath the fabric, pick up and knit 320 (320, 320, 324, 328) sts between the 2 stitch markers (160 (160,160, 162, 164) sts each before and after shoulder seam), which are located between the ribbing. Cut yarn to bring above the fabric.
Turn piece, re-join yarn and work a WS row.
Next row (RS): *K2, M1, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. (479 (479, 479, 485, 491) sts)
Work 1 WS row.
Next row (RS): *K3, M1, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. (638 (638, 638, 646, 654) sts)
Work 1 WS row.
Cont shaping ruffle with short rows, as follows:
Short row 1(RS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 2 (WS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts, MPLL & turn.
Short row 3 (RS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 4 (WS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, MPLL & turn.
Short row 5 (RS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 6 (WS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, MPLL & turn.
Short row 7 (RS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 8 (WS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, MPLL & turn.
Short row 9 (RS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, KRL & turn.
Short row 10 (WS): Work to last 56 (56, 56, 56, 57) sts before the marked “shadow” sts, MPLL & turn.
Next row (RS): K to end of row, knitting tog the “shadow” sts.
Next row (WS): P to end of row, knitting tog the “shadow” sts.
BO all sts.
Rep for the long ruffle on right side.
Neck edging:
With smaller needle and RS facing, pick up and knit 120 (122, 126, 130, 134) sts around neck. Pm and join in the round.
Work in k1, p1 rib for 4 rnds.
BO all sts in patt.
Armhole edging:
With smaller needle and RS facing, pick up and knit 106 (114, 122, 130, 138) sts (53 (57, 61, 65, 69) sts each before and after shoulder seam) along armhole.
Work in k1, p1 rib for 4 rows.
BO all sts in patt.
Rep for the other armhole.
Using mattress stitch, sew side seams. Weave in ends.
