purlJam

<pattern>

# V-NECK CROP TOP WITH CAP SLEEVES
### Fitted Top-Down Raglan Construction with I-Cord Finishing

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## OVERVIEW
This fitted crop top features a flattering V-neckline, cap sleeves, and a cropped body length perfect for layering or wearing on its own. The top-down raglan construction begins with the V-neck worked flat, then joins in the round for seamless knitting. Applied I-cord edging provides a professional, polished finish. The pattern includes options to adjust both V-neck depth and body length for a customized fit.

**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate  
**Techniques Used**: Top-down raglan construction, V-neck shaping, working flat and in the round, I-cord bind-off, picking up stitches

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## SIZES
This pattern is written for a fitted 34" bust with 0" ease.

**Finished Measurements**:
- **Bust Circumference**: 34" (86.5 cm)
- **Body Length** (center back to hem): 14-16" (35.5-40.5 cm), adjustable
- **V-Neck Depth** (shoulder to point): ~7" (18 cm), adjustable
- **Cap Sleeve Length** (shoulder to edge): 5" (12.5 cm), adjustable to 4-6"
- **Armhole Depth**: 7" (18 cm)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: 
- Fingering weight yarn (gauge 7-8 sts/inch)
- Approximately 700-900 yards (640-825 m)
- Sample shown in [Your Yarn Choice]

**Needles**: 
- US 2 (2.75 mm) 24" circular needle (for flat knitting at yoke)
- US 2 (2.75 mm) 32" circular needle (for body in the round)
- US 2 (2.75 mm) 16" circular needle or DPNs (for sleeves)
- Or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**:
- 4 stitch markers (1 in contrasting color for beginning of round)
- 2 stitch holders or waste yarn (for sleeves)
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers for V-neck center

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## GAUGE
**20 stitches × 28 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch, blocked  
**7.5 stitches/inch, 10 rows/inch**

⚠️ **Gauge is critical for fit.** Take time to check your gauge with a 6" × 6" swatch. Adjust needle size if necessary.

**Inline Validation**: 34" bust × 7.5 sts/inch = 255 sts ✓

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## ABBREVIATIONS
- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **RS**: right side
- **WS**: wrong side
- **pm**: place marker
- **sm**: slip marker
- **m1L**: make 1 left (lift bar between sts from front to back, knit through back loop)
- **m1R**: make 1 right (lift bar between sts from back to front, knit through front loop)
- **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **BO**: bind off
- **CO**: cast on

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## PATTERN NOTES

### Construction Overview
1. **V-Neck Yoke (Flat)**: Cast on at shoulder line. Work flat in rows with simultaneous V-neck decreases at center front and raglan increases at 4 raglan lines. Continue for approximately 7" or desired V-neck depth.

2. **Body Join**: When V-neck shaping is complete, join to work in the round. Continue raglan increases until armhole reaches desired depth (7").

3. **Sleeve Separation**: Place sleeve stitches on holders. Cast on underarm stitches. Continue body in the round.

4. **Body**: Work even to desired crop length (14-16"). Finish with applied I-cord bind-off.

5. **Sleeves**: Return to held sleeve stitches. Pick up underarm stitches. Work cap sleeves in the round with slight shaping. Finish with I-cord bind-off.

### Raglan Increases
Raglan increases are worked at 4 lines (2 for sleeves, 2 for body):
- **Before markers**: m1L
- **After markers**: m1R
- Increases are worked every RS row (every 2 rows) while knitting flat, then every other round when working in the round
- This creates 8 new stitches every 2 rows/rounds

### V-Neck Shaping
V-neck decreases are worked at center front:
- **Right front**: End RS rows with k2tog
- **Left front**: Begin RS rows with ssk
- Decreases create the V-shape and are worked every 2-4 rows as specified

### Adjustability
- **V-neck depth**: Work flat section longer or shorter before joining in round
- **Body length**: Work body section to any desired length before I-cord bind-off
- **Cap sleeve length**: Adjust number of rounds worked before bind-off

### I-Cord Bind-Off
Creates a rounded, professional edge. Instructions included in Finishing section.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### YOKE - V-NECK SECTION (WORKED FLAT)

**Cast On**: Using long-tail method and 24" circular needle, CO 90 sts.

**Setup Row (WS)**: P18 (right front), pm, p1 (raglan), pm, p26 (right sleeve), pm, p1 (raglan), pm, p36 (back), pm, p1 (raglan), pm, p26 (left sleeve), pm, p1 (raglan), pm, p18 (left front).

*You now have 8 markers placed: 4 raglan markers (on either side of 1-st raglan lines) and section boundaries.*

**Inline Check**: 18 + 1 + 26 + 1 + 36 + 1 + 26 + 1 + 18 = 128? NO. Let me recalculate.
**Correction**: 18 (RF) + 26 (sleeve) + 36 (back) + 26 (sleeve) + 18 (LF) = 124, plus 4 raglan sts (1 each line) = 128. We want 90 CO.

**Revised Setup**: CO 90 sts.
- 13 sts (right front)
- 1 st (raglan line)
- 18 sts (right sleeve)  
- 1 st (raglan line)
- 26 sts (back)
- 1 st (raglan line)
- 18 sts (left sleeve)
- 1 st (raglan line)
- 13 sts (left front)

**Check**: 13 + 1 + 18 + 1 + 26 + 1 + 18 + 1 + 13 = 92 sts. Close enough, adjust to 90.

**Final Setup CO 90 sts**:
- 13 sts (right front)
- 1 st (raglan)
- 17 sts (right sleeve)
- 1 st (raglan)
- 26 sts (back)
- 1 st (raglan)
- 17 sts (left sleeve)
- 1 st (raglan)
- 13 sts (left front)

**Check**: 13 + 1 + 17 + 1 + 26 + 1 + 17 + 1 + 13 = 90 sts ✓

**Setup Row (WS)**: P13, pm (raglan), p1, pm, p17, pm (raglan), p1, pm, p26, pm (raglan), p1, pm, p17, pm (raglan), p1, pm, p13.

#### Row 1 (RS - Raglan Increase + V-Neck Decrease):
K to 2 sts before first marker, k2tog (V-neck decrease), k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, ssk (V-neck decrease), k to end.

**Stitch count after Row 1**: 90 - 2 (V-neck dec) + 8 (raglan inc) = 96 sts ✓

#### Row 2 (WS): 
Purl all sts, slipping markers.

#### Row 3 (RS - Raglan Increase only):
K to 1 st before first marker, k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k1, k to end.

**Stitch count after Row 3**: 96 + 8 = 104 sts ✓

#### Row 4 (WS): 
Purl all sts, slipping markers.

**Repeat Rows 1-4** (alternating V-neck decreases with plain raglan increases) **8 more times** (9 times total).

After 36 rows (9 × 4 rows):
- Starting sts: 90
- V-neck decreases: 9 repeats × 2 dec = 18 sts decreased
- Raglan increases: 18 RS rows × 8 inc = 144 sts increased
- **Total**: 90 - 18 + 144 = 216 sts ✓

**Current stitch distribution at Row 36**:
- Right front: 13 - 9 = 4 sts
- Right sleeve: 17 + 36 = 53 sts
- Back: 26 + 36 = 62 sts
- Left sleeve: 17 + 36 = 53 sts
- Left front: 13 - 9 = 4 sts
- Raglan lines: 4 sts (unchanged)
- **Check**: 4 + 53 + 62 + 53 + 4 + 4 raglan = 176 + 4 = 180? 

**Recalculation needed**: With raglan increases at 4 lines, each section between raglan lines grows:
- Each raglan increase round adds 2 sts to adjacent sections (1 on each side of raglan line)
- After 18 increase rounds:
  - Right front: 13 - 9 (V-dec) + 18 (raglan inc on right edge) = 22 sts
  - Right sleeve: 17 + 36 (18 inc × 2 sides) = 53 sts
  - Back: 26 + 36 (18 inc × 2 sides) = 62 sts
  - Left sleeve: 17 + 36 (18 inc × 2 sides) = 53 sts
  - Left front: 13 - 9 (V-dec) + 18 (raglan inc on left edge) = 22 sts
  - Raglan sts: 4 sts (1 at each line)

**Check**: 22 + 53 + 62 + 53 + 22 + 4 = 216 sts ✓

#### Continue