For the FRENCH KiSS top I was highly inspired by the checked stitch pattern I fall in love with from the crocheted Wolk shawl by Bernadette Ambergen. I translated the crochet pattern into knitting, which results in an easy to knit dip stitch pattern. And I see a whole collection coming from this beautiful pattern :)

Inspired from a tester, I tried it with a shirt underneath (green sample) and now feel well prepared for fall. So the FRENCH KiSS top can be worn as a top in summer and as a vest in transitional seasons.*

The FRENCH KiSS top is worked seamlessly from the top down. Start working the back to the length of the armhole. Then pick up stitches for the shoulder to work both fronts symmetrically before joing both fronts for the crew neck and work the front to the length of the armhole. Then join back and fronts and work the body in the round down to the bottom ribbing. Then finish the neckline and the armhole.

Details:

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5)(6, 7, 8, 9)
Finished bust circumference in cm/inch:
87 (92, 98, 104, 115)(122, 132, 140, 154) cm / 34¼ (36¼, 38½, 41, 45¼)(48, 52, 55, 59)
The garment is intended to be worn with approx. 9 cm (3½“) of positive ease for smaller sizes and narrow bodies and gradually less positive ease for larger sizes and busty girls.

GAUGE
23 sts x 34 rows/rds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” in dip st pattern after blocking.

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
3-3.25mm (US2-3) (depending on your knitting tension), at least 80 cm (32”) circulars

SUGGESTED YARN
Yellow sample:
Main color (MC): 2 (2, 2, 2, 3)(3, 3, 3, 4) skeins of Queensland collection, united (55% wool, 45% cotton), 230m (251yds)/50g, Color: Ecru
Contrast color (CC): 2 (2, 2, 3, 3)(3, 4, 4, 4) skeins of CaMaRose, Midnatssol (54% Alpaca, 36% Tencil, 10% wool), 199m (218yds)/25g, Color: Lime
Or m/yds: 240/260 (280/300, 340/370, 400/440, 470/510)(530/580, 600/660, 670/730, 740/810) each of comparable yarns.

Green sample:
Lana Grossa Linea Pura Cotton Wool (MC, color 12) + Lana Grossa Setasuri (CC, color 61)

Yarn alternatives:
MC: Lana Grossa Ecupuno, ITO Rakuda or a woolen, wool/cotton blend yarn with a similar yardage
CC: Pascuali Manada or a mohair yarn with a similar yardage

MATERIALS
Stitch markers, 2 removable markers, waste yarn or stitch holders, spare needle,