purlJam

<pattern>

# CAP SLEEVE V-NECK CROP TOP

A fitted, feminine crop top knit in fingering weight yarn featuring a flattering V-neckline and delicate cap sleeves. Perfect for layering or warm weather wear. This intermediate pattern is worked flat in two pieces and seamed.

## SIZES
One size to fit 34" bust
Finished measurements: 34" bust circumference, 13.5" length from shoulder to hem

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn**: Approximately 600-700 yards fingering weight yarn (CYCA #1)
  - Sample uses sock/fingering weight at 400+ yards per 100g
  - Cotton, cotton blends, or bamboo recommended for drape and breathability
  
- **Needles**: 
  - US 2 (2.75mm) needles for main body (circular or straight for flat knitting)
  - US 1 (2.25mm) needles for ribbing (or one size smaller than main needles)
  - US 2 (2.75mm) 16" circular needle for neckline finishing
  
- **Notions**:
  - Stitch holders or waste yarn
  - Tapestry needle for seaming
  - Stitch markers (optional)
  - Blocking pins and mats

## GAUGE
**7.5 stitches and 10 rows = 1" in stockinette stitch on US 2 needles**

Gauge is critical for proper fit. Take time to swatch and measure accurately.

### Gauge Swatch Instructions:
Cast on 36 sts using US 2 needles. Work in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) for 5". Bind off. Block swatch by washing and laying flat to dry. Measure over center 4" (should contain 30 sts and 40 rows). Adjust needle size if necessary: smaller needles for fewer stitches per inch, larger needles for more stitches per inch.

## PATTERN NOTES
- This top is worked flat in two pieces (back and front) from bottom up
- Cap sleeves are created with shallow armhole shaping
- V-neck is shaped with decreases beginning 3" into armhole depth
- All pieces are seamed, then edges finished with picked-up stitches
- Sample uses stockinette stitch; fabric will curl without blocking and edge finishing

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- BO: bind off
- CO: cast on
- dec: decrease
- inc: increase
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- rem: remaining

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK

**Ribbed Hem:**
Using US 1 needles, CO 128 sts.
Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *P1, k1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rows 1-2 for 1" (10 rows total), ending with a WS row.

**Body:**
Change to US 2 needles.
Work in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until piece measures 9" from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
(Math check: 128 sts ÷ 7.5 sts/inch = 17" width ✓)

**Cap Sleeve Armhole Shaping:**
Row 1 (RS): BO 4 sts, knit to end. (124 sts)
Row 2 (WS): BO 4 sts, purl to end. (120 sts)
Row 3 (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (118 sts)
Row 4 (WS): Purl.
Repeat Rows 3-4 three more times. (112 sts remain)
(Math check: 112 sts ÷ 7.5 = 14.9" width ✓)

Work even in stockinette until armhole measures 4.5" from initial bind-off, ending with a WS row.
(Total back length: 9" + 4.5" = 13.5" ✓)

**Shoulder and Neck Shaping:**
Row 1 (RS): BO 10 sts, knit until 32 sts on right needle (22 sts worked after BO), BO center 30 sts for back neck, knit to end. (32 sts each shoulder)
(Math check: 10 + 32 + 30 + 32 = 104 sts... need to reconcile. Let me recalculate.)

Actually, let me recalculate shoulder shaping:
We have 112 sts. Need to create shoulders with back neck opening.
- Each shoulder: approximately 32 sts = 4.3" wide
- Back neck: 48 sts = 6.4" wide
- Total: 32 + 48 + 32 = 112 sts ✓

Row 1 (RS): K32, join second ball of yarn and BO center 48 sts, knit to end. (32 sts each shoulder)

Working both shoulders simultaneously with separate balls of yarn:
Row 2 (WS): Purl across right shoulder; purl across left shoulder.
Row 3 (RS): BO 10 sts, knit to end of left shoulder; knit across right shoulder to last 10 sts, BO 10 sts. (22 sts each shoulder)
Row 4 (WS): Purl across right shoulder; purl across left shoulder.
Row 5 (RS): BO 11 sts, knit to end of left shoulder; knit across right shoulder to last 11 sts, BO 11 sts. (11 sts each shoulder)
Row 6 (WS): Purl.
Row 7 (RS): BO remaining 11 sts on each shoulder.

### FRONT

**Ribbed Hem:**
Work same as back through body section until piece measures 9" from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. (128 sts)

**Cap Sleeve Armhole Shaping:**
Work armhole shaping same as back:
BO 4 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. (120 sts)
Then decrease 1 st each end every RS row 4 times. (112 sts)

Work even for 6 rows (approximately 0.6"), ending with a WS row.
Piece should measure approximately 10.5" from cast-on edge.

**V-Neck Shaping:**
Next Row (RS): K55, k2tog, k1; join second ball of yarn, k1, ssk, k55. (56 sts each side)
(Math check: 55 + 1 + 56 = 112 sts ✓)

Working both sides simultaneously with separate balls of yarn:

**Left Front (as worn):**
Row 1 (WS): Purl to end.
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (1 st decreased)
Repeat Rows 1-2 twenty-three more times. (32 sts remain for shoulder)
Work even until armhole measures 4.5" from initial bind-off, ending with a WS row.

**Right Front (as worn):**
Row 1 (WS): Purl to end.
Row 2 (RS): K1, ssk, knit to end. (1 st decreased)
Repeat Rows 1-2 twenty-three more times. (32 sts remain for shoulder)
Work even until armhole measures 4.5" from initial bind-off, ending with a WS row.

(Math check: 56 sts - 24 decreases = 32 sts per shoulder ✓)

**Shoulder Shaping:**
Shape both shoulders to match back:
Row 1 (RS): BO 10 sts at armhole edge on each side. (22 sts each shoulder)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3 (RS): BO 11 sts at armhole edge on each side. (11 sts each shoulder)
Row 4 (WS): Purl.
Row 5 (RS): BO remaining 11 sts on each shoulder.

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## FINISHING

### Blocking
Soak pieces in cool water with wool wash for 15-20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay flat on blocking mats and pin to measurements shown in schematic. Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours).

**Schematic Measurements:**
- Width at hem (back/front): 17"
- Width at underarm: 14.9"
- Length to underarm: 9"
- Armhole depth: 4.5"
- Total length: 13.5"
- Shoulder width (each): 4.3"
- Back neck width: 6.4"
- Front V-neck depth: 6"

### Seaming
Using tapestry needle and matching yarn:

1. **Shoulder Seams**: With RS together, join shoulders using mattress stitch or backstitch. Seam should measure approximately 4.3" (32 sts). Press seams flat.

2. **Side Seams**: With RS together, join side seams from hem to underarm using mattress stitch. Match ribbing carefully at hem.

### Armhole Edging
With RS facing and US 1 needles, starting at underarm seam:
- Pick up and knit approximately 68 sts evenly around armhole opening (pick up approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows along shaped edges, and 1 st per bound-off st).
- Join to work in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.

Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Round 1 for 3 more rounds (4 rounds total).
BO all sts in pattern.

Repeat for second armhole.

### Neckline Edging
With RS facing and US 1 needles, starting at left shoulder seam:
- Pick up and knit approximately 48 sts along back neck (1 st per bound-off st).
- Pick up and knit approximately 72 sts along left front neck edge (approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows).
- Pick up and knit 1 st at V-point (center front), pm in this stitch.
- Pick up and knit approximately 72 sts along right front neck edge.
- Total: approximately 193 sts. Join to work in the round.

Round 1: Work *k1, p1 to 2 sts before marked center st, ssk, k1 (center st), k2tog; repeat from * once more for second side of V, then continue in k1, p1 rib to end of round.
(This decreases 4 sts per round, 2 on each side of V-point)

Round 2: Work in k1, p1 rib as established, working decreases as in Round 1 on each side of center marked stitch.

Repeat Round 2 for 2 more rounds (4 rounds total).
BO all sts loosely in pattern, maintaining decreases at V-point.

### Weaving in Ends
Weave in all ends on WS using tapestry needle. For extra security at V-point and armhole edges, weave ends through several stitches in multiple directions.

### Final Blocking (Optional)
Steam block seams lightly if needed, being careful not to flatten ribbing. Allow to cool and dry completely before wearing.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Hand wash in cool water with gentle wool wash. Lay flat to dry, reshaping to measurements. Do not wring or twist. Avoid hanging, which may stretch shoulders.

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## CUSTOMIZATION