Alfama, Lisbon’s most emblematic quarter, is almost a fairy tale, with its own castle overlooking the patchwork of colorful roofs, uneven houses leaning on each other, whimsical streets that seem to lead to nowhere and everywhere at once and, most of all, the glazed gems of Alfama: azulejos (Portuguese tiles). They are literally everywhere; in palaces, high walls, on charming guesthouses, churches, facades of rundown apartment blocks, passageways… A giant multicolored mosaic studded with stunning blue and white tiles, soaked in traditions, immortalized in Fado.

Alfama Tiles top is a circular short sleeve yoke that is worked seamlessly from the top down. You start the neck with the provisional cast on, after that, several series of short rows are used for a comfortable and beautifully shaped finish.
The yoke is shaped with increases that are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the upper body followed by several raglan sets.
Sleeves are then placed on hold and the body is worked toward the hem.
The sleeve stitches are then placed on the needles again and worked in the round toward the cuffs.
Beginner friendly as you only work with 2 colors at a time.
Please note that the stranded pattern is charted only.
As the top is knitted top-down lengths are easily adaptable.
The lower edge of the body and the sleeves are finished with i-cord bind-off.

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Bust circumference of the finished sweater: 91 (95, 102,5, 114, 125,5, 137, 148,5) cm / 35 ¾ , 37 ½ , 40 ¼ , 45, 49 ½ , 54, 58 ½ )’’. The top is designed to be worn with approximately 0-5 cm / 0-2’’ of positive ease.
Model has 85 cm / 33½’’ bust, stands 164 cm / 64½’’ and is wearing size 2.

Yarn
Eco Denim 100% recycled cotton 50g/155m
Sample shown in shade 756 - (MC), shade 745 -(CC)
MC: 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins
CC: 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins
Note: If you are new to colorwork I would not recommend using “sleaky” yarns (avoid, 100% silk and linen, as they are not easy to work with). Making a generous colorwork swatch is the best way to understand how your yarns will behave.

Needles
3 mm / US 2½ circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm and 3,5 mm / US 4 circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm

Notions
4 stitch markers (1 different for BOR) • waste yarn for holding the sleeve stitches • tapestry needle to weave in the yarn ends • 3 mm crochet hook for provisional cast on

Gauge
21 sts and 35 rows - 10x10 cm / 4x4’’ in stockinette stitch in the round and in colorwork pattern with 3,5 mm / US 4 needles, washed and blocked.
You may want to go up in needle size if your colorwork swatch is tight.