Maia by Taija Elo
I have often played with the idea of a fitted top that would embrace my curves and still be comfortable to wear. After browsing through a cable stitchionary I found a cable that inspired me. Before I knew it, I had sent an e-mail about my idea to lys PikkoPirta, which was kind enough to sponsor the yarn. Maia is knitted in the round up to the armholes. Then the front and back pieces are separated. The front piece contains bust shaping, which can be left out if desired. The front piece is knit in stockinette stitch to the straps. The back piece has two cable motifs which start from the hem and then become the straps.
Yarn and yardage
7skeins $\left(350\,\mathrm{g}\right)$ of South Western Trade Company Craft ( $65\;\%$ Organic cotton, $35\;\%$ milkfiber, $125\mathrm{m}/50\mathrm{g})$
Gauge
21 sts and 32 rounds $=10\;\mathrm{cm}$ stockinette knit in round.
Needles
US $4\,/\,3{,}5\ \mathrm{mm}\ 80\,\mathrm{cm}$ circular needle (or whatever size you need to get gauge)
You'll also need
a cable needle stitch markers scrap yarn, spare needle or stitch holders
Size
XXL, finished bust $106\,\mathrm{cm}$ length from the hem to the armpit 46cm
Pattern Cast on 258 sts (I used long tail cast on). Join for working in the round, PM to indicate the start of the round.
Ribbing
$1^{\mathrm{st}}$ round - The set up round: [K2, P2] for 129 sts, PM, continue in the ribbing for 25 sts, $\bf*_{\mathrm{PM}}$ , P1, work row 1 of the cable chart once, P1, $\mathbf{PM^{*}}$ , continue in the ribbing for 54 sts, repeat \*-\*, K1, [P2, K2] to the end of round. Knit the knits and purl the purls for 15 rounds, including the set up round. AT THE SAME TIME work the cable chart between the markers (\*-\* above).
Body
Knit one round. At the same time keep working the cable chart. The body shaping willbe done during the nex 52 rounds. Every $7^{\mathrm{th}}$ round is a decrease round. Decrease round: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, K1, slip marker, K1, k2tog, knit (don't forget to work the cables) to last 3 sts before end of round, k2tog, K1. Repeat the decrease round every $7^{\mathrm{th}}$ round in total of 8 times (32 sts decreased, 225 sts lft). Continue in pattern until the piece measures $34\,\mathrm{cm}$ from the cast on edge.
This part is for bust shaping and can be ignored if necessary. If you decide to leave the shaping out, just keep on knitting according to the pattern until the piece measures $46\;\mathrm{{cm}}$ from the cast on edge.
Increase round: Knit 10, k2tog, knit 23, \*pick up the strand between the next and last stitch on the left hand needle, knit it tbl, Kl, pick up the strand between the next and last stitch on the left hand needle, knit it tbl\*, knit 46, repeat \*\*, knit 23, k2tog, knit to end of round. Don't forget! The cables!) Repeat the increase round every other round four times more. After the increases continue in pattern for $7{,}5\;\mathrm{cm}$ more. The piece should now measure $46\;\mathrm{{cm}}$ from the cast on edge.
Dividing the front and back
BO first 8 sts for the armhole, knit to 8 sts before next marker, BO 8 sts and remove marker. Leave the front piece (the sts just worked) on a spare needle or stitch holder. Back The back piece is knit flat. The decreases are worked simultaneously at the edges and between the cables, so read this part through carefully before knitting. BO the first 8 sts. Knit according to the pattern to end of row. (WS) BO the first 8 sts. Purl to the end of row. Decrease one stitch on every row as follows: RS: k2tog, work to end WS: P2tog, work to end Repeat the last two rows until you have decreased 24 sts from each edge. Now you have one stitch outside the markers on both edges. The cables willform the straps. AT THE SAME TIME work the decreases between the cables: on RS work the right cable to marker, slip marker, k2tog, knit to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog (or ssk, to your own preference). These decreases are repeated in total of 4 times on every right side row. Work (while still decreasing on the edges as directed) for 9 cm more. BO the center sts between the cables. Place the cable straps on scrap yarn or stitch holders.
Front
Move the front piece sts on the working needle. The first row is the WS row. $1^{\mathrm{st}}$ row(WS):Purl allsts Knit (RS) 25, \*PM, purl 1, work row 1 of cable chart, P1, PM\*, knit 32, BO 4 sts, knit 32, repeat \*- \*, knit to end. The front pieces can be worked simultaneously from separate skeins or one after another. Continue working the cable chart between the markers. AT THE SAME TIME decrease on both edges as for the back piece until on each edge of the piece is 1 knit sts outside the markers.
Straps
Work the cable straps (front) for $17\;\mathrm{cm}$ more. Place the sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder. Take the sts from the back piece and work the cable straps for $17\;\mathrm{cm}$ Craft the front and back straps together.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Steam or block gently and enjoy your new summer lok!
Cable chart
place2stsbehind the piece,P1,knit the held sts place2sts behind the piece,P2,knit theheld sts place2stsinfrontof the piece,P1,knit theheld sts place2stsinfrontofthepiece,P2,knit theheldsts place2stsbehind thepiece,K2,knittheheld sts purl onRS,knitonWS knitonRS,purlonWs If you need help or would like to point out an error, please send e-mail to taijaelo $@$ yahoo.com
