Layered lacy pieces seem all the rage this summer and I am happy I came across this easy beginners’ pattern.
I knitted the garter section in the beginning to a length of 2” instead of 1.5”

Working on two with different stitch counts.
One smaller CO 67 sts
One larger CO 105 sts
Lace sections (don’t slip first stitch ):

A : ROW 3 SHOULD END WITH k1
Multiple of 3. For smaller size Row 3: k1, (YO, k2tog, k1)

B : ROW 6 SHOULD END (NOT START) WITH k1

C: REPEAT ROW 4 TIMES (in the pictures it is 4 times; in the pattern it says 8 times; I knitted the row 6 times for the black top).
Multiple of 2. For smaller size AND larger size add one stitch in last row of garter section; decrease that stitch in next garter section

D: OVER 8 ROWS; ROW 7 SHOULD END WITH k1
Multiple of 3. For smaller size decrease one stitch in row 1, then increase in following garter section.

This was finished rather quickly. I was so very tempted to knit it in the round or at least do a 3-needle-bind off on the shoulders as I was doing both pieces at the same time anyway, but decided against it for several reasons:
First I did make this in a class and wanted to follow the pattern as much as possible for the beginner knitter.
Second and I thought this IS a cool idea: If Rachel ever gets tired of the top or if the fashion changes, I can undo the seams and make it into a shawl for her (see second to last picture). The size of the shawl would be 57” long and 18” wide :)
Two ways to wear this top: The top can be worn “as is” or for a more fitted look you can put a ribbon through some of the lace stitches along the seam and tie the ribbon in the back (see picture number 3).