Web-Letter, Issue 47 – Curvy Knits Flare Top

Greetings from a muggy Portland, Maine!

This week we’re featuring the Flare Top by CEY Curvy Knits designer Jillian Moreno. Jillian, co-author of Big Girl Knits and More Big Girl Knits (Potter Craft, 2006 and 2008), has designed a pretty, short-sleeved top, that gets a little flare from small gussets placed along the edges. She used CEY’s Classic Silk, a light and airy silk-cotton blend that knits up at about 5 stitches to the inch. Classic Silk is a great yarn for year-round sweaters. And it’s informal enough to wear when you can’t resist pulling a few weeds in the garden.

The Story:

My first thought when I sat down to design something Curvy for a summer web letter was, “I’m sick of knitting it - takes - forever - because - I’ve - got - curves - sweaters.” And my second thought was, “I am so hating my upper arms today.”

So what I came up with is the Flare Top, an everyday sort of top that’s slightly shaped with fluttery feminine details. It’s worked mostly in stockinette stitch which makes it quick to knit and easy to custom shape by adding extra waist or short row shaping.  

The fluttery edgings come from seed-stitch wedges worked around the bottom of the body and sleeves. They give the top visual appeal and provide a little extra breathing room for those womanly curves. They also provide some knitting interest; you might want to watch a movie while knitting, but you don’t want to fall asleep!

The Yarn:

Classic Silk — 50% cotton, 30% silk, 20% nylon

I chose Classic Silk yarn because I think it’s the quintessential summer yarn. Not too fine, but fine enough for some drape. I love the touch of Classic Silk both to knit and to wear. The slightly nubby texture makes plain old stockinette look not so plain. It’s cool and light to wear, and that little bit of nylon will help your top keep its shape.

Here is more information on silk.

The Stitches:

The seed stitch panels on Jillian’s Curvy Knits Flare top are wonderful decorative and shaping additions. However, they also help the edges of the garment to lie flat. 

Learn how to combat rolling edges.

The Pattern:

Here is the free downloadable Curvy Knits Flare Top pattern.