The Caroline Tunic is a versatile top that easily pairs with a pencil skirt or capris. This top is an excellent project for knitters of all levels.
Using a simple stitch combination, this top is a nice project for a beginner looking to try something a little more challenging. The texture pattern across the bust, along with subtle waist shaping, highlights the feminine form.
Sizes
Finished Bust Circumference: 29 ½ (33 ¾, 37 ½, 41 ¾, 45 ½, 49 ¾) inches / 75 (85.75, 95.25, 106, 115.5, 126.5) cm
Shown in 37 ½.
Yarn
Anzula luxury fibers Dreamy (75% Superwash Merino / 15% cashmere / 10% Silk, 385 yds [352 m]/ 3.53 oz [100g]) color Wine 2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5) skeins.
Needles
US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles OR SIZE NEEDED TO GET GAUGE
Notions
Stitch holders; stitch markers (m); tapestry needle
Gauge
4.5 sts and 6.5 rows = 1” in Stockinette Stitch
Pattern Notes
Bust texture length will vary for each person, due to variations in bust size versus cup sizes. Save time by measuring as you go along.
Chart
Bust Texture
Bust Texture Written
Rnd 1 and all odd rnds: K6.
Rnd 2: Sl 3 wyif, k3.
Rnd 4: Sl 3 wyif, k3.
Rnd 6: K1, insert needle under long strands of previous 2 rows, k1, k4.
Rnd 8: K3, sl 3 wyif.
Rnd 10: K3, sl 3 wyif.
Rnd 12: K4, insert needle under long strands of previous 2 rows, k1, k1.
Top Instructions
Shoulders
Using provisional method, CO 82 (92, 100, 110, 118, 126). Purl 1 row.
Back
Row 1 (RS): Sl 3 pwise wyib, k to end.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 3 pwise wyif, p to end.
Continue in patt until piece measures 4 (4.5, 4.75, 5.25, 6, 6.75)” [10.25 (11.5, 12, 13.5, 15.25, 17.25) cm] from CO edge, ending on a WS row.
Dec Row (RS): Sl 3 pwise wyib, k1, ssk, k to 6 sts from end, k2tog, k to end – 2 sts dec’d.
Next Row (WS): Sl 3 pwise wyif, p to end.
Rep rows above 2 rows 7 (7, 7, 7, 7, 6) more times—66 (76, 84, 94, 102, 112) sts total. Work 2 rows even. Place sts on holder.
Front
With RS facing, rejoin yarn at provisional CO.
Setup Row – Start Neck Opening (RS): Sl 3 pwise wyib, k25 (29, 31, 35, 37, 40), using Knitted Method, CO 2 sts, *k1, k2tog tbl, return 2 sts to Left needle; rep from * 27 (29, 33, 35, 38, 40) more times, k to end.
Left Side
Row 1 (WS): Sl 3 pwise wyif, p to end.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 2 pwise wyib, k to end.
Continue working these rows for 1” [2.5 cm], ending on a WS row.
Neck Inc Row (RS): Sl 2 pwise wyib, k1, m1r, k to end—1 st inc’d.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 2 pwise wyif, p to end.
Repeat previous 2 rows 7 (9 , 10, 11, 13, 16) more times—36 (42, 45, 50, 54, 60) sts total.
Neck and Armhole Shaping (RS): Sl 2 pwise wyib, k1, m1r, k to 6 sts from end, k2tog, k to end.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 2 pwise wyif, p to end.
Repeat previous 2 rows 3 (2, 3, 3, 3, 1) more times—no change to stitch count. Break yarn leaving a long tail and place sts on holder.
Right Side
Row 1 (RS): Sl 3 pwise wyib, k to end.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 2 pwise wyif, p to end.
Continue working these rows for 1” [2.5 cm], ending on a WS row.
Neck Inc Row (RS): Sl 3 pwise wyib, k to 3 sts from end, m1l, k to end—1 sts inc’d.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 2 pwise wyif, p to end.
Repeat previous 2 rows 7 (9 , 10, 11, 13, 16) times—36 (42, 45, 50, 54, 60) sts total.
Neck and Armhole Shaping (RS): Sl 3 pwise wyib, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts from end, m1l, k to end.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 2 pwise wyib, k to end.
Repeat previous 2 rows 3 (2, 3, 3, 3, 1) more times—no change to stitch count. DO NOT BREAK YARN.
Join Right and Left Sides
With RS facing, return Left side to left needle, followed by Right side. Working yarn will be in the correct place to start working the Right side.
Next Row (RS): Sl3 pwise wyib, k1, ssk, k to 6 sts from end of left side, k2tog, k to end—2 sts dec’d.
Next Row (WS): Sl 3 pwise wyib, p to end.
Rep previous 2 rows 2 (3, 2, 2, 2, 3) more times—66 (76, 84, 94, 102, 112) sts total. Work 2 rows even.
Piece will now be worked in the round
Joining Rnd: With RS facing, k to end of Front, place Back sts on Left needle with RS facing, k to end, pm and join for working in the round. 132 (152, 168, 188, 204, 224) sts total.
Purl 3 rnds.
Setup Rnd: *K6 (5, 6, 5, 6, 5), work Bust Texture over next 54 (66, 72, 84, 90, 102) sts, k6 (5, 6, 5, 6, 5); pm for side, rep from * 1 more time. Work evenly in patt until piece measures 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 3)” [2.5 (2.5, 5, 5, 5, 7.5) cm] from underarm.
Note: Continue working Bust Texture, incorporating Decreases and Increases as needed, for approximately 8” [20.25 cm] or to the underside of bust.
Dec Rnd 1: *K1, k2tog, work in patt to 3 sts from m, ssk, k1; sl m, rep from * 1 more time—4 sts dec’d.
Rnds 2-8: Work even in patt.
Rep Rnds 1-8 5 (4, 4, 3, 3, 3) more times—108 (132, 148, 172, 188, 208) sts remain. Work even in patt until piece measures 9 (9, 9, 9, 10, 10)” [22.75 (22.75, 22.75, 22.75, 25.5, 25.5) cm] from underarm.
Inc Rnd 1: *K1, m1l, work in patt to 1 st from m, m1r, k1; sl m, rep from * 1 more time—4 sts inc’d.
Rnds 2-6: Work even in patt.
Rep Rnds 1-6 6 (5, 5, 4, 4, 4) more times—136 (156, 172, 192, 208, 228) sts total. Work even in patt until piece measures 18 (18, 18, 18, 18, 19)” [45.75 (45.75, 45.75, 45.75, 45.75, 48.25) cm] from underarm.
Purl 2 rnds. BO pwise.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Block to schematic measurements.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER: ALEXIS DI GREGORIO
ABOUT THE DESIGNER: ALEXIS DI GREGORIOAlexis Di Gregorio started knitting in 2012, in order to add a hobby to her workaholic life; little did she know knitting would soon become so much more than a hobby. In 2014, she designed her first piece as a favor for a friend, and found her passion.
After being told (with love, of course) that the sweater she’d seamed looked like it was sewn “by a five year old with safety scissors,” she’s decided to focus her attention on creating beautiful, flattering seamless knits.
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