Tilted Heart Top

This was inspired by a top glimpsed in a British soap opera, Coronation Street, that has been running continuously for over 60 years – and which is my guilty pleasure… especially when I’m knitting!

I couldn’t get the idea of stripes laid across stripes out of my head, and knew that it would make an eye-catching knit.

The stretchy textural twisted rib, wide modified boat neck, and gently gathered sleeves prevent this from looking slouchy or boxy.

There is just enough wool to make it cozy – but its three-quarter length sleeves and cropped length make it a perfect piece for your transitional wardrobe and for layering. And because it’s Lion Brand Wool Ease, it can be machine washed and dried, so you don’t need to worry about messing up your masterpiece in the washing machine!

The heart motif is a little tricky, and can be completed in two ways – charts are provided for both. It can either be worked in its entirety onto the front using an intarsia or stranding technique; or the general shape of the white heart can be worked in intarsia, with the detailed outline and diagonal striping worked in duplicate stitch afterwards.

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate – techniques: intarsia, picking up sts, three needle BO, duplicate st.

SIZE
For women’s garments: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 32 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches
Length: 20 (20.5, 21.5, 22.5, 24, 24.5, 25) inches

EASE
Close-fitting – shown with 0” ease (finished garment matches chest measurement)

MATERIALS
[MC] Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted [80% acrylic/20% wool; 197 yds/180 m per 3oz/85g skein]; colour: Black, 153; 3 [3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] skeins
[CC] Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted [80% acrylic/20%wool; 197 yds/180 m per 3oz/85g skein]; colour: Fisherman, 099; 2 [2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3] skeins

1 pair US #7/4.5 mm straight needles
24” (or shorter) length US #7/4.5 mm circular needle

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