994 Spice Drop - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Leverett

Pattern Summary: 994 Spice Drop – Women's Tank Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman

The 994 Spice Drop is a beautifully designed women's sleeveless tank top (jumper) created by knitwear designer Julie Turjoman and published as a downloadable PDF pattern. This garment features a distinctive notched boat neckline paired with thoughtfully engineered visible waist and bust shaping, giving it a timeless, elegant silhouette that works equally well dressed up or down. The pattern is knitted using Valley Yarns Leverett, a premium cotton-linen blend yarn that lends the finished piece a crisp, structured hand and exceptional stitch clarity.

Described in the pattern as a true capsule wardrobe piece, the Spice Drop tank is sophisticated enough for the office yet relaxed enough for an evening out. Its clean lines and refined shaping draw comparisons to classic mid-century style, making it a versatile addition to any handknitter's wardrobe.

Garment Design and Fit

The Spice Drop is a sleeveless fitted tank with a notched boat neck — a neckline variation that sits wide across the collarbone with a subtle central notch detail, adding visual interest without overwhelming the minimalist aesthetic. The garment incorporates deliberate waist and bust shaping that is intentionally visible as a design feature rather than hidden, celebrating the natural curves of the body.

The pattern is available in a generous size range to suit a wide variety of bodies:

• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL
• Finished Bust Measurements: 33 (36¾, 41, 44¾, 49) (52, 56¼, 60, 63¾) inches, with 1–2 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, flattering fit
• Finished Hip Measurements: 34½ (38¼, 42½, 46¼, 50½) (54¼, 58½, 62¼, 65¾) inches
• The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Size S

Techniques Used

The 994 Spice Drop employs a combination of construction techniques that make it an excellent project for knitters who are ready to expand their skills beyond the basics. The pattern is classified as Adventurous Beginner (equivalent to what many publishers call Advanced Beginner), meaning it is accessible to those who have mastered fundamental knitting skills but are looking for a rewarding challenge with shaping and construction variety.

• Bottom-up construction: The tank is worked from the lower hem upward, a traditional and intuitive approach that allows knitters to try on the piece as they go and adjust length easily.
• Worked in the round: Circular knitting is used for seamless sections of the body, eliminating the need for side seams and producing a smooth, polished fabric with minimal finishing.
• Worked flat: Certain sections of the pattern are worked back and forth in rows, likely for shaping areas such as the neckline or armhole regions, requiring knitters to be comfortable switching between both methods.
• Seamless construction: The overall approach minimizes seaming, making the finishing process more straightforward and the fabric more comfortable to wear.
• Waist and bust shaping: Increases and decreases are used strategically to create the fitted silhouette, giving knitters practice with common shaping techniques central to garment knitting.

Stitches Used

While the pattern relies on the elegant simplicity of its construction rather than complex stitch patterns, knitters can expect to use foundational stitches and techniques including:

• Knit and purl stitches forming the main fabric — the crisp stitch definition of Valley Yarns Leverett makes even simple stockinette stitch look polished and refined
• Decrease and increase stitches for the visible waist and bust shaping that defines the garment's silhouette
• Ribbing or edging stitches likely used at the hem, armholes, and neckline to create clean, stable borders