Coral Honeysuckle Top

Coral Honeysuckle Top by Theresa Shingler

What is Being Made

The Coral Honeysuckle Top is a contemporary knitted garment designed as an intermediate-level project. This top features a deceptively simple construction that combines elegant lace detailing with structured shaping. The finished bust measurements range from 89 cm (35") to 135 cm (53"), offering five size options to accommodate various body measurements. The design is intended to be worn with 9 to 13 cm (3 to 5") of positive ease for a comfortable, contemporary fit.

Design Features and Construction

The Coral Honeysuckle Top showcases several distinctive design elements that elevate its visual interest. The shoulder area features a striking lattice and fan lace pattern that draws attention to the upper body. The raglan decreases are exaggerated and deliberately shaped to create a butterfly-like silhouette that flows into the cap sleeves. The lace shoulders integrate seamlessly with the overall design aesthetic.

A unifying design detail appears throughout the garment: garter stitch borders frame all hems, and this garter stitch detail is echoed within the lace pattern itself, creating visual cohesion between the structural and decorative elements of the top.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate knitting project employs several important techniques that contribute to its sophisticated appearance:

• Stockinette stitch serves as the primary fabric base, providing a smooth, classic canvas for the design
• Lace knitting featuring lattice and fan motifs creates the decorative shoulder sections and contributes to the garment's elegant aesthetic
• Garter stitch is used strategically for all hem borders and is incorporated into the lace pattern for textural interest and structural definition
• Raglan shaping with exaggerated decreases forms the distinctive butterfly-like lines and cap sleeve construction
• Wrap and turn (abbreviated as W+t) short-row techniques are employed to achieve precise shaping
• Decrease stitches including p2togtbl (purl two together through the back loop) are used to create the shaped raglan lines

Yarn and Materials

The Coral Honeysuckle Top is designed to be knitted in sport-weight yarn, which provides an appropriate drape and stitch definition for the lace and shaping details. The pattern offers flexibility with two yarn options:

• Cascade Ultrapima Fine: 100% Pima Cotton, 136.7 yards (125 meters) per 50 grams, requiring 5 to 7 hanks depending on size
• DMC Natura Linen: A blend of 58% Linen/Flax, 26% Rayon, and 16% Cotton, 150 meters per 50 grams, requiring 5 to 6 balls depending on size

Both yarn options are natural fiber choices suitable for warm-weather wear, with the cotton and linen blends providing breathability and a refined hand feel appropriate for a contemporary lace top.

Gauge and Needles

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 24 stitches and 35 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, measured on the larger needles after wet blocking. Proper gauge ensures that the finished garment meets the intended finished bust measurements and that the lace motifs and shaping details align correctly.

Additional Notions and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires standard knitting notions including removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and lace sections, stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming if necessary.