The flowing lines and sinewy “whiplash” curves of the Art Nouveau movement were embodied in dance by Loie Fuller, who was so famous in her day that she had her own exhibition at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair.

The romantic beaded motif and feminine shaping of this top reflect a modern sensibility that gives a nod to its Art Nouveau roots.

Loie is made seamlessly in the round, all in one piece with the barely-there sleeves picked up and knitted from the body.

There is a knitted hem, so as not to disturb the even surface of the stockinette stitch, over which beads are knitted in to form the striking curved column.

SIZE
Actual bust: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60) inches
Shown in 32” size, with no ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60) inches
Length: 21.5 (22, 22.5, 23, 23.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.5, 25.75, 26.25, 26.5) inches

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate - techniques used: provisional cast on, knitted hem, shadow st short rows, bead knitting, knitting in the round, reading charts, slip st crochet

MATERIALS
Valley Yarns Goshen 48% cotton/46% rayon/ 6% silk; 92yds/84m per 1.75oz/50g skein; colour: Red 06; 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14) skeins

575 3/0 Toho round seed beads, black opaque
1 24” US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle
Spare circular needle for cast on stitches
Set of US 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed
needles, or long circular for magic loop
Stitch holders
Row counter
Crochet hook in similar gauge

GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch