Knit the Elegant Vine Lace Summer Top with Applied I‑Cord Finish (Sizes XS–XL)
Lightweight, lacy and polished — this Vine Lace Summer Top pairs an airy vine lace pattern with applied I-cord edging and I-cord shoulder straps for a finished, professional look. Worked seamlessly from the bottom up in the round, it’s a great warm-weather knit that dresses up easily for special occasions or keeps things simple for casual outings.

Size: XS (S, M, L, XL)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- Chest: 28 [32, 36, 40, 44] inches (71 [81, 91, 102, 112] cm)
- Materials: Ella Rae Baby Cotton DK weight yarn (88% Cotton, 12% Nylon), 110 yards (101 meters) / 50gr - 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) balls
- Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) circular and dpn OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE.
Gauge: 26 sts x 36 rows = 4" (10cm) in stockinette st or
1 pattern repeat = 1.3" (3.33 cm)
PATTERNS
Vine Lace in rounds:
Multiple of 9 sts plus 4
Round 1 and 3 - knit
Round 2 - k3, *yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1; rep from *, end k1
Round 4 - k2, *yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1; rep from*. end k2
Stockinette Stitch in rows:
Row 1 (RS): knit
Row 2 (WS): purl
Directions
The top is worked from the bottom up in rounds, without seams. The top and armholes are finished with applied I-cord. The shoulder straps are I-cords.
Bodice
Cast on 188 (206, 242, 269, 305) sts. Being careful not to twist sts, join into circle. Place a marker to denote the beginning of the round.
Knit 94 (103, 121, 139, 157) sts, place a second marker to denote the end of the front and the beginning of the back sts. Work 88 (96, 96, 104, 104) rounds or to desired length in lace pattern.
Divide for Front and Back:
In the next round: knit across the front sts, bind off 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) sts before the second marker and 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts after the second marker, knit across the back sts and bind off the 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts before the first marker and 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) sts after the first marker. The work now is divided into front and back.
Place back sts onto stitch holder or waste yarn to work later.
Front
Shape Armholes
Row 1: Sl1, ssk, knit to the last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1, turn
Row 2: purl
Repeat rows 1-2 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) more times.
Work stockinette st for 14 (18, 22, 26, 30) more rows.
Bind off.
Back
Return back sts to needles. Join yarn in preparation to work a WS row. Purl 1 WS row. Turn and knit the RS row. Turn, purl back.
Shape Armholes
Row 4: sl1, ssk, knit to the last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1. Row 5 and all odd rows purl.
Repeat rows 4-5 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) more times.
Work another 58 (62, 66, 70, 74) rows of stockinette st: all even (RS) rows knit, all odd (WS) rows, purl. Bind off.
Finishing
Finish the front, back and armholes with applied I-cord.
Work I-cord for 10" (25 cm), work applied I-cord along the top of the front, stopping at armholes, work I-cord for another 10" (25 cm). Bind off.
Work I-cord for 10" (25 cm), work applied I-cord along the top of the back, stopping at armholes, work I-cord for another 10" (25 cm). Bind off.
Work I-cord for 10" (25 cm), work applied I-cord along the armhole, work I-cord for another 10" (25 cm). Bind off. Work the same for another side.
Block the top.
Enjoy!