Pattern Mona Liza Top

Discover the elegance of handcrafted fashion with the “Mona Liza Top” knitting pattern. Perfect for knitters of intermediate skill level, this pattern offers a delightful project for creating a stylish, adult-sized top. Available in sizes ranging from XS to XL (42 to 52), it’s designed to cater to a variety of body types. The pattern is constructed bottom-up, with the back and front knitted separately and joined at the neckline, ensuring a comfortable fit. You’ll need knitting needles of sizes 4.00 mm and 4.50 mm (US 6 – 7) to achieve the perfect gauge. Dive into this pattern for a rewarding knitting experience and a beautiful addition to your wardrobe!

Sizes

• XS-S 42-44 (Bust 80-88 cm)
• M 44-46 (Bust 92-98 cm)
• L 46-48 (Bust 98-102 cm)
• XL 50-52 (Bust 100-106 cm)

Materials

• BC Garn Summer in Kashmir (cotton/cashmere, 165m/50g) or BC Garn Alba (cotton, 160m/50g) 5/5/6/6 skeins
• Circular needles on a cable 80 and/or 60 cm in length with diameters of 4.00 – 4.50 mm (for the main fabric) and 3.00 – 3.25 mm for the cuffs and neckline
• Waste yarn or an extra cable
• Scissors, a hook, or a needle to weave in ends

Gauge

Gauge in main pattern: 25 sts x 33 rows = 10 x 10 cm (after blocking). A tolerance of +/- 1-2 stitches/rows is acceptable.

Gauge in stockinette stitch: 22-23 stitches in 10 cm.

Body Width

43-44 / 46-48 / 49-51 / 53-55 cm (depending on size)

Knitting Instructions

The garment is knitted from the bottom up to the armholes, after which the back and front are knitted separately and joined in the round at the neckline.

The bottom of the garment is knitted with circular needles 1-1.5 sizes smaller than the main ones (3.5 mm in this case). The bottom can be finished with a 1×1 rib pattern (1 knit, 1 purl) or a garter stitch pattern (alternating purl and knit rows in circular knitting). If using garter stitch, use smaller needles or knit as tightly as possible to avoid width issues.

Cast on 232 / 248 / 256 / 280 stitches with smaller needles and knit in the chosen pattern in the round. Recommended height: 4-6 cm for 1×1 rib, 12-14 rows for garter stitch (finish with a purl row). Knit the last row with main needle size.

Proceed to knitting the main pattern, which repeats every 8 stitches and 12 rows.

Video tutorial for the pattern: https://youtu.be/w3r0OFaMKag

Knit main pattern to desired height or follow recommended: 29 / 30 / 31 / 33 cm, finishing on the 6th or 12th row of the repeat.

Dividing for Back and Front

Knit back first: 1st row knit 116 / 124 / 128 / 140 stitches, then knit 2 stitches through front and back loops. Temporarily transfer remaining front stitches onto waste yarn. Continue knitting back with short rows, slipping edge stitches without knitting at row starts. Increase 4 stitches total by knitting 2 stitches at last stitch of knit rows and purling them in purl rows. On needles: 120 / 128 / 132 / 144 stitches.

Knit back with short rows to height 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 cm, finishing on 6th or 12th row of repeat. Knit front similarly.

Joining in the Round, Neckline

After finishing front knitting, transfer back stitches to needles and continue knitting front on right side. Knit last stitch of front with first stitch of back purlwise, marking these stitches for shoulder shaping. Knit back similarly, joining stitches and marking. Shoulder decreases are made along these markers every row, forming shoulder slope. Decrease with purl stitches in knit rows and knit stitches in purl rows, slipping edge stitches as instructed.

Neckline Finishing

Switch to smaller needles (3.00 – 3.25 mm) and knit in garter stitch starting from shoulder line, picking up stitches in short row areas. Alternate purl and knit rows for 9/9/11/11 rows (purl last). Bind off stitches normally.

Armhole Finishing

With smaller needles, pick up stitches from armhole edges at a 3:4 ratio. Knit garter stitch for 7/7/9/9 rows, starting and ending with a purl row. Bind off stitches.

Wet and Heat Treatment

Hand wash with detergent for knitwear without lanolin. Rinse without stretching, gently squeeze in towel, lay flat on fabric, smooth and shape. Dry at room temperature.

Recommended Yarn

• BC Garn Summer in Kashmir (cotton/cashmere, 165m/50g)
• BC Garn Alba (cotton, 160m/50g)