Iocaste Top Knitting Pattern

Iocaste Top in Juniper Moon Moonshine

What is Being Made

The Iocaste Top is a simple, easy-to-wear knitted garment designed by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud. This top features a classic construction with ribbed edging framing the piece, while the upper body showcases reverse stockinette stitch for visual interest and texture. Available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, the finished bust measurements span from 30 inches (76 cm) to 54 inches (137 cm), with a consistent length of 15 inches (38 cm) to the underarm, making this a versatile piece suitable for various body types.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques. The garment is worked in the round using a circular needle, which allows for seamless construction and continuous knitting without turning the work. The pattern incorporates ribbed sections using a 3x3 rib stitch worked in the round, which provides elasticity and structure to the garment. An applied I-cord technique is used as a finishing detail, which involves using double-pointed needles to create a decorative cord edge that is grafted or bound to the finished knitting. The pattern also calls for provisional cast-on methods to facilitate seamless joining of the I-cord. Stitch markers are used throughout to track the beginning of rounds and maintain pattern placement.

Stitches Used

• 3x3 Rib: Alternating knit and purl stitches in groups of three, worked in the round to create an elastic, textured border
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev St st): The primary stitch for the upper body, created by purling on right-side rounds and knitting on wrong-side rounds when working in the round, producing a bumpy texture on the front
• Applied I-Cord: A decorative cord created from four cast-on stitches, knitted continuously while picking up stitches from the garment edge and grafting or binding off to create a finished edge detail

Materials

The Iocaste Top is worked in Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine yarn in color #11 Diving Board. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 4 hanks for the smallest size (XS) to 8 hanks for the largest sizes (2X and 3X). The pattern specifies a US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm), or a needle size adjusted to match the required gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking rounds and waste yarn for provisional cast-on techniques. The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in reverse stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.