Spring is finally upon us, and with it comes this lovely, lacy sleeveless top. The lace is modest so that the top can be worn without a camisole underneath, and the ample shoulders keep unsightly bra straps from showing. Wear it to work under a cardigan or blazer, or show off your shoulders at dinner on the weekends. Mishka works for business casual as well as date night or a day out shopping in the city.

The pattern is suitable for intermediate knitters, with basic knowledge of lace. Please see specific required skills below. Instructions are both written and charted. The pattern has been professionally tech edited to reduce the possibility for error, but if you have questions or believe that you have found an error, please contact me.

required skills
basic lace knitting (yarnovers, k2tog, ssk)
decreasing
increasing
seaming
optional: slip stitch crochet for edging, alternate instructions given for a knit edge

finished measurements
321⁄2 (351⁄4, 381⁄2, 41, 441⁄4, 471⁄2, 501⁄4, 531⁄2, 56, 591⁄4)”
82.5 (89.5, 98, 104, 112.5, 120.5, 127.5, 136, 142, 150.5) cm
bust circumference.

21 1⁄2 (21 1⁄2, 231⁄2, 231⁄2, 253⁄4, 253⁄4, 253⁄4, 253⁄4, 273⁄4, 273⁄4)” 54.5 (54.5, 59.5, 59.5, 65.5, 65.5, 65.5, 65.5, 70.5, 70.5) cm
in length.

ease
Intended to be worn with approximately 1 1⁄2 to 2” / 4 to 5 cm of positive ease, but can be worn with negative ease depending on preference, or slightly more positive ease. Sample measures 35 1⁄4” / 89.5 cm, and is worn with 2” / 5 cm positive ease.

yarn
3 (3, 3, 4 / 4, 4, 4 / 4, 5, 5) skeins Shalimar Yarns Enzo Worsted Color “Curry”; 235 yds / 215 m per 100 g; 70% merino, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon.

Shown in DISCONTINUED Classic Elite Premiere Color 5212 “Mimosa”; 108 yds / 99 m per 50 g; 50% pima cotton /50% tencel.

Sweater requires approximately 530 (570, 680, 720, 770, 830, 870, 930, 1060, 11 20) yds / 480 (520, 620, 660, 710, 760, 800, 850, 970, 1020) m DK to light worsted weight yarn.

needles & notions
US 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles, 24” / 60 cm in length, if circular.
OR size necessary to make gauge.

circular knitting needles in size used to obtain gauge, 16” / 40 cm in length OR
crochet hook one size larger than knitting needle used to obtain gauge (please read construction section for options).

2 stitch markers
darning needle

gauge
24.5 sts and 27 rows equal 4” / 10 cm in Japanese Eyelet Lace using US 5 (3.75 mm) needles, blocked. 20 sts and 29 rows equal 4” / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch using US 5 (3.75 mm) needles, blocked.

Stockinette gauge is given for ease of substitution only. Work a gauge swatch in Japanese Eyelet Lace.

construction
The body is worked flat in two pieces, with self-finishing armholes. The shoulders and sides are seamed, and the neck and hem lines are finished with a slipped stitch crochet edging. Alternately, a knitted edging may be used to finish the neckline, with the hemline left as is. The sample was worked with slipped stitch crochet at the neck and hem.