Summer Tee + Top Down Sweater in Loopy Mango Summer Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Loopy Mango Summer Tee & Top-Down Sweater in Summer Cotton — Knitting Pattern Summary

This downloadable PDF from Loopy Mango contains two complete knitting patterns in one: a Summer Tee and a Top-Down Sweater, both worked in Loopy Mango Summer yarn, a 100% cotton chunky-weight yarn. The only difference between the two designs is sleeve length, making this an exceptionally versatile pattern purchase for knitters who want warm-weather wardrobe options at multiple coverage levels. Both garments are sized XS through 2X/3X and are rated Intermediate in difficulty.

What Is Being Made

The Summer Tee is a short-sleeved or cap-sleeved pullover top designed for warm weather, while the Top-Down Sweater extends the sleeve length for a more traditional sweater silhouette. Both are seamless, fitted-to-relaxed pullovers constructed entirely in the round from the neck down, eliminating the need for seaming at the finish. Finished widths range from 18 inches (46 cm) at XS up to 26 inches (66 cm) at 2X/3X, with lengths scaling proportionally from shoulder to hem.

Construction Method

Both designs use a top-down, seamless construction worked entirely in the round — a method beloved by intermediate knitters for its try-as-you-go fit and absence of sewing. The garment begins at the neckline, where stitches are cast on and increases shape the yoke as knitting progresses downward. Once the underarm is reached, sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the body continues in the round down to the hem. After the body is complete, the held sleeve stitches are picked back up and each sleeve is worked in the round to the desired length. This seamless approach means the finished fabric flows continuously from neck to hem and shoulder to cuff.

Techniques Used

• Top-down seamless construction — the entire garment is shaped from the neck downward with no seaming required
• Knitting in the round — used throughout for the yoke, body, and sleeves to produce smooth stockinette without purl rows
• Magic loop method — recommended for working the neck and sleeves on a 32-inch circular needle when double-pointed needles are not used
• Stitch holds — sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the body is completed, then returned to needles for sleeve construction
• KFB increases — knitting into the front and back of a stitch to add single increases during yoke shaping
• K2TOG decreases — a right-slanting single decrease used for shaping
• SSK decreases — a left-slanting decrease worked by slipping two stitches individually before knitting them together, balancing the K2TOG for symmetrical shaping

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch — the primary stitch pattern throughout both designs, worked entirely as knit stitches in the round to produce a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) — foundational stitches used in construction and finishing
• KFB — increase stitch integrated into yoke shaping
• K2TOG and SSK — paired decrease stitches for symmetrical shaping

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 11 stitches and 14 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US size 15 (10 mm) needles. Because the garment is worked in the round, Loopy Mango specifically advises swatching in the round as well — knitting stockinette in the round typically produces a tighter tension than flat knitting since there are no purl rows to loosen the fabric. Achieving accurate gauge is especially important at this large needle size, where even a small discrepancy per stitch can result in significant size differences across the finished width.

Materials

Both patterns use Loopy Mango Summer