Noro Laced Top (Akita 2) Cape Knitting Pattern

Noro Laced Top (Akita 2) Pattern Summary

What Is Being Made

The Akita 2 Laced Top is a sophisticated knitted garment designed to fit bust sizes 34-36 inches with finished measurements of 42 inches width and 21 inches length. This is a seamless, top-down construction that creates an elegant laced design suitable for layering or wearing as a statement piece.

Construction Technique

This pattern employs a top-down seamless construction method, meaning the garment is worked from the neckline downward without requiring seaming. The design is worked flat initially for the back and front pieces, then joined and worked in the round for the body. The pattern incorporates strategic short-row shaping at the underarm and side pieces to create a custom fit. This technique allows for precise shaping while maintaining the integrity of the lace pattern throughout.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The garment features an eyelet lace pattern as its primary decorative element, which is worked repeatedly throughout the piece. Key stitches and techniques include:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches forming the foundation
• Knit two together (K2tog) decreases for shaping and lace definition
• Purl two together (P2tog) decreases on wrong-side rows
• Make 1 Knit (M1K) increases, created by picking up the horizontal loop between stitches and knitting into the back of the loop
• Make 2 (M2) increases, which creates two new stitches by picking up a horizontal loop and knitting into both the front and back
• Eyelet pattern repeats that create the characteristic laced appearance

The lace pattern is strategically increased at the center front and back throughout construction, with increases occurring on alternating rows to maintain pattern balance. Short-row shaping is employed at the underarm to create a tailored fit while preserving the lace design.

Materials and Tools

This pattern requires 320 grams of Noro Silk Garden yarn in shade 421 (shown in the pattern). The yarn choice provides a luxurious fiber blend ideal for lace work. Needles required include one pair of 6mm (US 10) straight needles for the initial flat sections and one 6mm (US 10) circular needle for working the joined body in the round. The gauge is 14 stitches by 24 rows over 4 inches square when measured over the lace pattern using 6mm needles, making accurate gauge swatching essential before beginning the project.

Pattern Progression

The back piece is worked first, beginning with a cast-on and working the eyelet lace pattern with increases at the center stitches on alternating rows until reaching 65 stitches. The pattern continues with side increases every sixth row until 149 stitches are on the needle after 98 rows. The front is constructed identically to the back up to the joining point. Once front and back pieces are complete, they are joined on a circular needle and worked in rounds with coordinated decreases at the underarm and center increases until the center shaping is complete. The final section utilizes short-row shaping to create the side and underarm pieces, with decreases worked strategically to maintain the garment's structure.