Bougainvilleas are a symbol of passion and beauty and forever one of my favourite flowers since they remind me so much of my lovely Mexico. These intensely colourful flowers feel like home to me, so I wanted to design a top that felt like it too, flowerful yet incredibly comfortable. The construction of the top is reminiscent of “huipils”, a typical Mexican garment that is usually adorned with embroidery around the neckline and hangs loose around the body with lots of positive ease. The top is constructed top-down, starting with the rectangular yoke and followed by the lacy body. The length is easily customizable for a perfect fit for you to dress yourself in flowers. The pattern includes a full step-by-step video tutorial for the construction of the top and for the embroidery.
#BougainvilleaTop
Sizes + Measurements
This pattern comes in 9 different sizes. The instructions for each size are colour coded and in the order shown here: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9).
Actual Garment Bust circumference: 98 (112, 119, 126, 140) (147, 161, 168, 175) cm / 38½ (44, 47, 49½, 55) (58, 63½, 66, 69) in
Designed for bust size: 71-76 (81-86, 91.5-96.5, 101.5-106.5, 112-117) (122-127, 132-137, 142-147, 152-158) cm / 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) (48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) in with approx 20 to 31 cm / 7¾ – 12¼ in of positive ease at the bust.
Sample is size 4 cropped and model is ~100 cm/39¼ in at bust.
Materials
YARN: DK weight yarn (size 3 – according to CYC Standards)
For cropped top: 640 (710, 770, 805, 880) (915, 990, 1020, 1085) m / 700 (775, 845, 880, 960) (1000, 1080, 1120, 1190) yds
For full length top: 965 (1085, 1165, 1225, 1345) (1400, 1520, 1580, 1670) m / 1055 (1185, 1275, 1340, 1470) (1533, 1664, 1728, 1823) yds
Amounts are approximate and include some extra for swatching and margin of error. When choosing yarn, always make sure to meet gauge with chosen fabric and weight.
Sample use Lion Brand, Truboo Yarn (100% Rayon from Bamboo, 100g / 220m (241yds)) in the colour Slate.
HOOKS: 4 mm for yoke and 4.5 mm for lace – Always use a hook size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking.
NOTIONS: tapestry needle, 4 stitch markers or scrap strands of yarn to be used as markers, scrap yarn or thread for embroidering, embroidery needle.
Alternative yarns
Most DK weight yarn will work, but here are some I would recommend that would be a good match based on fiber content and gauge:
Gauge
21 sts x 24 rows = 10 x 10 cm worked in sc flat
3.5 cm wide x 4 cm tall = 1 lace rep x 4 rows of lace
