INTRODUCTION

Roxaboxen

by Renee Kulling

In the beautiful picture book by Alice McLerran and Barbara Cooney, children create the imaginary world of Roxaboxen in the desert with rocks, pebbles, sticks and cacti. It’s a wonderful reminder to look at things differently and use your inspiration to unlock something magical.

Knitting is a lot like that – turning a length of string into something unlike itself. Into a hat, scarf, sweater, or something else entirely.

This top takes the inventive side of knitting a little further. Turning that string into a rectangle. Adding some ties and turning that rectangle into a useable, beautiful top. This top is perfect for warmer days or a great layering piece as the weather turns colder. It’s ready for all the adventures on which your imagination will take you. And it will always fit you the way you like, since you can adjust the fit with the ties every time you wear it.

With a drapey, plant-based yarn like the hemp used in the pattern, Roxaboxen’s shape is easy knitting with a satisfying end result!

model + photos: Renee Kulling

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size M on a 29-inch waist

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Total Width:  18[20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 39, 41, 44] inches/ 45.5[51, 61, 71, 81.5, 91.5, 99, 104, 112] cm

Length from shoulder:  16.5[17, 17.25, 17.5, 17.75, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5] inches/ 42[43, 44, 44.5, 45, 46, 46, 47, 47] cm – adjustable to preference

Choose a width that is 4-8 inches (10-20cm) smaller than the circumference of your natural waist.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Lanaknits allhemp6 [100% Hemp; 165yd/150m per 100g skein]; color: Brick, 3[3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a DK-weight hemp yarn. It is a plant-based, strong yarn with high drape and little to no stretch.

Suggested Yarn Substitutions:

The best substitutes would be plant-based fibers with little to no stretch, such as cotton, linen, or hemp yarns or blends. Some synthetic fibers may work as well.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm circular needle, 32-48 inches/80-120 cm long – note that piece is worked flat but a circular needle is recommended to handle the larger stitch count.

A pair of US #6/4mm double point needles OR a short circular for i-cord (optional)

Notions
yarn needle
non-stretchy, durable ribbon or string for ties, 80 inches/203 cm (if not using i-cord).

GAUGE

20 sts/26 rows = 4 inches/10cm in stockinette st

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: This top is worked in one piece side to side with a neck hole shaped in the middle with decreases and increases. I-cord edges are worked at the same time as the body. Ties are attached and worked last.

Note on length: The lower edge of the top is designed to sit at the natural waist. To determine that length, drape a measuring tape over one shoulder from the front of the waist to the back. If different than the length measurement for your size, or if you prefer a longer or shorter top, add or subtract 5 sts for each inch from your CO edge. Adjust st counts throughout accordingly.

Note on fit: Because of the rectangular nature of the garment, larger sizes will have more of a flutter sleeve appearance than smaller sizes. The sample shown in the photos is a size M.

Styling: This garment may require the use of an undergarment such as a tank or sports bra underneath, because – depending on fit – the sides are quite open well below the arm.

DIRECTIONS

Body:
Using the circular needle, and the Long Tail method, CO 166[170, 174, 176, 178, 180, 180, 186, 186] sts. Do not join, piece is worked flat.

Garter Edge Row: K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat last row 5 more times.

Begin Stockinette:

Row 1 [RS]: K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.
Row 2 [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat last 2 rows 5[7, 12, 19, 24, 31, 35, 38, 43] times more, for a total of 12[16, 26, 40, 50, 64, 72, 78, 88] rows of stockinette. Piece should measure about 2.5[3.25, 5, 7, 8.5, 10.5, 11.75, 12.75, 14.25] inches/ 6.5[8, 12.5, 17.5, 22, 27, 30, 32.5, 36.5] cm from CO edge.

Separate at Neck:

Front:
Row 1 [RS]: K 78[80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 85, 88, 88] (or to 5 sts before middle, if st count adjusted), k2tog, sl3 wyif, turn. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Note: You will only be working the first half of the stitches for now to make the Front. You can transfer the 83[85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 90, 93, 93] unworked back sts to scrap yarn or spare needle, or you can leave them on your circular needle – your preference.

Neck decrease rows:
Row 3 [RS]: K to last 5 sts, k2tog, sl3 wyif. 1 st decreased.
Row 4 [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat Rows 3-4 17[18, 19, 19, 20, 20, 20, 21, 21] times more. 64[65, 66, 67, 67, 68, 68, 70, 70] sts rem for Front.

Work Even:
Next row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.
Next row [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat last 2 rows 3 times more for a total of 8 rows.

Neck increase rows:
Next row [RS]: K to last 4 sts, kfb, sl3 wyif. 1 st increased.
Next row [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat last 2 rows 18[19, 20, 20, 21, 21, 21, 22, 22] times more. 83[85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 90, 93, 93] sts for Front.

Break yarn.

Back:
With WS facing, attach yarn to bottom back edge to work WS row across 83[85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 90, 93, 93] held sts.

Neck decrease rows:
Row 1 [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.
Row 2 [RS]: K3, ssk, k to last 5 sts, sl3 wyif. 1 st decreased.

Repeat last 2 rows 18[19, 20, 20, 21, 21, 21, 22, 22] times more.

 64[65, 66, 67, 67, 68, 68, 70, 70] Back sts.

Work Even:
Next row [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.
Next row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat last 2 rows 3 times more for a total of 8 rows.

Neck increase rows:
Next row [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.
Next row [RS]: K to last 4 sts, kfb, sl3 wyif. 1 st increased.

Repeat last 2 rows 18[19, 20, 20, 21, 21, 21, 22, 22] times more. 83[85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 90, 93, 93] sts for Back.

Work Front and Back Together:

Next Row [WS]: K3, p to edge of Back sts, return live Front sts to left side of working needle with WS facing, p across Front sts to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Begin Stockinette:

Row 1 [RS]: K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.
Row 2 [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat last 2 rows 5[7, 12, 19, 24, 31, 35, 38, 43] times more, for a total of 12[16, 26, 40, 50, 64, 72, 78, 88] rows of stockinette.

Begin Garter edge: K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif.

Repeat last row 5 more times for a total of 6 rows.

Piece should measure about 2.5[3.25, 5, 7, 8.5, 10.5, 11.75, 12.75, 14.25] inches/ 6.5[8, 12.5, 17.5, 22, 27, 30, 32.5, 36.5] cm from Neck edge.

BO loosely knitwise.

Note: to keep the BO loose, you may choose to use a needle a size or two larger than your working needle to work this last row.

FINISHING

Make ties

I-cord ties:
Using one of the DPNs, with RS facing, attach yarn and pick up and knit 3 sts in the edge of the 3-stitch i-cord edging of the rectangles. Slip sts to other end of needle, so you’re in position to knit them.

*K3, slide sts to other end of needle, without turning.
Repeat from * until cord measures about 20 inches/51 cm long.
Break yarn, pull end through 3 live sts, pull tight.

Sewn ties:
If using other ties, sew onto each of the 4 corners using your preferred method.

Wash according to washing instructions for yarn, and lay flat to dry. allhemp6 can be machine dried, and it will soften with each drying. If necessary, take dry garment, spray lightly with water and pat out any wrinkles created by the dryer. Leave to dry flat. Weave in all ends.

To wear (see images below):
Place head through neck hole with narrower sides of rectangle in front and back. Wrap the two front ties to the back and tie them together behind. Next, take the two back ties and bring them forward to tie in the front.

Finished measurements:
Body length – A: 18[20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 39, 41, 44] inches/ 45.5[51, 61, 71, 81.5, 91.5, 99, 104, 112] cm
Body width – B: 33[34, 34.5, 35, 35.5, 36, 36, 37, 37] inches/ 84[86.5, 87.5, 89, 90, 91.5, 91.5, 94, 94] cm
Neck length – C: 13[13.5, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 15.5] inches/ 33[34.5, 36, 36, 37.5, 37.5, 39, 39, 39] cm

Shoulder to hem length – D: 16.5[17, 17.25, 17.5, 17.75, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5] inches/ 42[43, 44, 44.5, 45, 46, 46, 47, 47] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Renee Kulling lives, works, and plays in Michigan, USA. She’s a runner and wannabe cyclist, and loves to be outside and active with her dogs, daughter, and husband. Her favorite color is yellow.

You can find her on Ravelry as OhSoFancy and on Instagram as ohsofancyknits.

Pattern & images © 2024 Renee Kulling