DIY: Knit Honey Top
Last November, I started knitting this top with leftover mohair yarn. After knitting two other tops and a bralette, I started to loose a sense of inspiration. I saved inspo from other brands I stumbled upon on Instagram and I skimmed through designs of other talented knitters online but nothing really inspired me to keep knitting. It wasn’t until a friend mentioned that the knitter behind the viral photo at the olympics was superstar diver, Tom Daley. As if being an olympian isn’t enough, Tom is also a talent knitter and crocheter. His Instagram, @madewithlovebytomdaley, is a joyous celebration of knitwear for every occasion. Though I have yet to learn how to crochet, Tom’s Instagram inspired me to knit again.
Personally, I typically don’t use any knitting patterns. I like to start off by envisioning a design in my head then I try to execute to the best of my ability based on what elements I want to incorporate. Also, I currently only know one stitch, so my creative repertoire is limited to just plain old knitting (no purl).
The following photos show my overall creative process. Since I’m not using a pattern, the process of creating every piece consists of a bit of trial and error, but overall I knew I wanted the design to be backless, feature adjustable long straps, and include a square neckline. In the end, my design consisted of the following knitted pieces:
Front panel: About 30 stitches long, knitted to form a square. In terms of fit, mohair yarn stretches a lot, so next time, I would have used a few less stitches to get a more fitted square neckline.
Back panel: Also about 30 stitches long, knitted to form a rectangle or half the width of the front panel. I really wanted the top to be backless. It’s definitely possible to knit a more narrow back panel to show more skin but with less width, the top might have less support. Alternatively, you can skip knitting a back panel entirely and wear the top as a halter.
Straps: 3 stitches long, stretched out to be about arm’s length. Repeat 4 times to have two sets of adjustable straps.
Construction: I used leftover yarn to sew the top together. Pro tip: leave some extra yarn at the end of each panel or strap and use this yarn to sew your top together. Tape the ends of your yarn that you’re using to sew with to make it easier to pull the yarn through each panel.
Sewing the straps on was pretty simple compared to sewing the side hems, which was more experimental. Originally, I thought to braid some yarn together to create lace up side panels (similar to the back of a corset), but that proved to be too tedious and I thought it could possibly stretch out the top too much. Instead, I decided to sew only up half of the side seam and kept the rest of the hemline open.
The result, is a chic, minimalist silhouette featuring plenty of coverage in the front and just a hint of skin on the sides.
Voila! My new knitted top is finished and ready to wear.
Some pro tips when re-creating this top or designing your own:
Trial and error is normal and part of the fun creative process! It took me a few tries to get the width right for the front panel.
The number of stitches you use to cast on will depend on how thick your yarn is. Thick yarn will require less stitches while thin yarn will demand more stitches to get the same length, so just use my pattern as a guide. The stitch count will likely vary for you depending on your yarn type and your personal measurements (bust and waist). Your knitted panels will stretch, so if you like a more fitted style top stretch your panels directly across your chest. Ideally, the sides of each panel should stretch to the most middle point on each side of your body, or directly beneath your underarms.
Count your stitches. Really fast and pro knitters are very consistent and probably don’t need to count every row, but if you’re just starting out this is a great way to ensure all your rows are even. If you accidentally ‘drop’ a stitch or add one, you can always fix it by using these methods so don’t stress!
Imperfections are cute! Don’t worry if your creation isn’t perfect, part of the joys of wearing something handmade is the unique imperfections that show it’s made with love 💛
Thank you so much for reading about my latest DIY project. Knitting is such a therapeutic outlet and it’s a great alternative to being glued to my phone. Though knitting does require patience at times, in the end creating something that’s stylish and wearable is so rewarding. It also gives me a much greater appreciation for all things that I know I couldn’t knit myself. Some knitwear brands that I’m currently obsessing over are: Paloma Wool, Isa Boulder, Khaite, Ganni, Maison Cléo, and House of Sunny. What should I knit next? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section down below :)
Until next time,
xx Ella Kol
