Go Retro with This Juicy Top Knitting Pattern

As a person who lived through the 1980s, I have some different feelings about the retro turn in fashion. Of course everything seems to come around again (a few times, probably, if you live long enough) and while I didn’t love the bright colors and slouchy activewear style the first time around, it kind of makes me smile to see it embraced by a new generation.

It’s the same with knitting. Different styles or methods or even types of projects come and go and some back again. When I first got back into knitting in the early 2000s, there was lots of bulky yarn and funky textures, and it feels a bit like we’re headed that way again. Drop stitches as a decorative technique is also something I used to see more often but don’t remember seeing a lot of lately.

The Drop it Like it’s Hot top from Yarnspirations has all these things: a retro design in a fuzzy, neon yarn (though of course you could tone it down if you don’t want it so candy-colored) with a classic boxy shape and dropped stitches to add a bit of flair. The top also features a deep V-neck and an optional tie for the waist.

When not dressed up with ’80s style accessories, this top also looks great, giving a pop of color to a neutral ensemble (click through to the pattern to see what I mean).

The pattern comes in four sizes with an actual finished chest measurement of 40 to 64 inches (101.5 to 162.5 cm) so you can choose how much ease you want in your project.

It’s worked in panels from side to side, so the cast on edge gives you the length. Working with both ends of the yarn, you’ll cut it as needed to ensure your stripe colors stay consistent.

The pieces are folded and seamed and then stitches are picked up along the bottom to make the waist band. This pattern is free from Yarnspirations and it includes very detailed instructions, so if you’re a new knitter this would be a great first garment for you to try.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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Why should the fireplace get all the fun? Instead of knitting stockings this year, why not whip up a pair of Christmas themed socks? These Christmas sock knitting patterns are lots of fun to make and you can wear them to holiday gatherings for years to come.

For our friends in the southern part of the world, there are the Christmas in July socks from the Kiwi Lodge – Kylie (Ravelry link). These shorty socks are covered in Christmas trees and have bright pink heels and toes for a tropical feel. There’s also an option to make a longer sock if you celebrate somewhere it’s colder.

Twin Stitches Designs (Ravelry) has a fun pattern with mix and match colorwork motifs you can use to build your own cozy Christmas socks. From the sample socks I see Christmas puddings, trucks hauling trees, Santa belts, ornaments and a couple of different borders. There may be more patterns included but the listing doesn’t say. Make a pair that matches or use different motifs on each foot for extra holiday cheer.

If you want to stick to Christmas puddings on your holiday socks, check out this cute pattern from Stone Knits. These lovely socks feature a band of puddings around the leg and a bit of holly by the toes.

These vintage holiday light socks from Grey Owl Knits by Sarah are classic looking and lots of fun at the same time. I love this color combination but of course you can make your lights and stripes whatever colors you like or have on hand. They’re worked using stranded knitting.

And if you’d like even more of a mix of patterns for your socks, try Barbara Ceglédi’s Christmas Chaos socks, a free pattern on Ravelry. The pattern includes 25 little motifs you can choose from, ranging from snowflakes and Christmas trees to elf hats, reindeer and hearts.

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