Around The Pool Crop Top - Free Knitting Pattern in Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK and Metallic DK - Downloadable PDF

Around The Pool Crop Top – Free Knitting Pattern by Paintbox Yarns (Downloadable PDF)

The Around The Pool Crop Top is a stylish, fashion-forward knitted crop top designed by Paintbox Yarns. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern creates a cropped garment with a relaxed, summery feel — perfect for layering over swimwear or wearing as a standalone warm-weather top. The design is worked in a striking combination of Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK and Paintbox Yarns Metallic DK, blending matte cotton texture with a shimmering metallic finish for an eye-catching, poolside-ready aesthetic.

Garment Overview and Sizing

The crop top is designed to fit busts measuring 81 to 102 cm (32 to 40 inches), spanning five sizes. The actual finished bust measurement ranges from 95 to 116 cm (37½ to 45½ inches), offering a comfortable amount of positive ease. The finished length to the shoulder is approximately 41.5 to 43.5 cm (16¼ to 17¼ inches), confirming the cropped silhouette. Short sleeves are included, with a sleeve seam measuring just 7 to 8 cm (2¾ to 3¼ inches), keeping the look light and breezy.

Construction Method and Techniques

This crop top is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat approach, meaning the knitting begins at the lower edge of the garment and progresses upward toward the shoulders. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles and then seamed together at the finishing stage. This traditional construction method is well-suited to intermediate knitters who are comfortable with shaping, reading multi-size instructions, and assembling garment pieces neatly.

• Bottom-up construction: Knitting begins at the cast-on edge and works upward, allowing easy length adjustments before shaping begins.
• Worked flat: Stitches are worked back and forth in rows on straight needles, creating separate front and back panels (and sleeve pieces) that are later joined.
• Seamed finishing: Pieces are sewn together using a large-eyed needle, a technique that creates a clean, structured finish appropriate for a fitted garment like a crop top.

Stitches Used

The Around The Pool Crop Top features a combination of classic and textural stitch patterns that contribute to its visual interest and structure:

• Moss stitch (m-st): A foundational texture stitch formed by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence across rows, creating a dense, nubbly fabric with excellent drape and body. Moss stitch is a key feature of this pattern, with the tension swatch specifying 25 stitches and 46 rows to 10 cm in moss stitch.
• Stocking stitch (st st) / Stockinette stitch: The classic smooth knitted fabric formed by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This stitch is referenced in the tension gauge alongside the main stitch pattern.
• K2tog (knit two together): A standard right-leaning decrease used for shaping armholes, necklines, or other fitted areas of the garment.
• ssk (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease that mirrors K2tog, used in paired shaping to create symmetrical, tidy edges.
• Sl1p (slip 1 stitch purlwise): A technique often used at selvedge edges or within pattern repeats to create a neat, even edge — particularly useful when seaming.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for two distinct yarn types from the Paintbox Yarns range, used together to create a multi-colour, multi-texture effect:

• Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK – A 100% cotton DK weight yarn used in two colourways:
  • Colour A – Washed Teal: 3 × 50g balls across all sizes
  • Colour B – Paper White: 2 × 50g balls across all sizes