Knitting Pattern - Isabella Top

Isabella Top Knitting Pattern by TheMailoDesign

Project Overview

The Isabella Top is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed to create a fitted sweater top suitable for sizes small to medium. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer TheMailoDesign provides detailed instructions for constructing a classic knitwear piece using straightforward knitting techniques and fundamental stitch work.

What Is Being Made

The Isabella Top is a knitted sweater garment designed as a close-fitting top. The pattern is tailored for a perfect fit in sizes small to medium, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking to create everyday wearable knitwear with a polished, finished appearance.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Slip Stitch Edge Technique: The pattern employs a professional edge-finishing method where the first stitch of every row is slipped and the last stitch is always knitted. This creates clean, neat selvage edges that are easier to seam and provide a more professional finished look.
• Increases and Decreases: Strategic shaping is incorporated through yarn-over increases and slip-stitch decreases to create the garment's fitted silhouette and proper garment construction.
• Slip, Knit Two Together, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (SKP): This classic decrease technique is used throughout the pattern to shape the garment while maintaining stitch integrity and creating a refined appearance.

Stitches Used

• Knit Stitch: The primary stitch forming the foundation of the garment structure
• Purl Stitch: Used in alternating rows to create textured stitch patterns and garment definition
• Slip Stitch: Applied at row edges and within decrease sequences for edge finishing and shaping
• Yarn-Over Increases: Incorporated for strategic shaping and garment expansion at designated points
• Slip, Knit Two Together, Pass Slipped Stitch Over: A fundamental decrease stitch used for fitted shaping

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Isabella Top pattern requires Alize Diva Batik yarn, a medium-weight yarn composed of 100% microfiber acrylic in color 1900. The yarn is worked using two strands held together throughout the project, creating a thicker working yarn from the DK weight base.

Knitters will need two sets of needles for this project: metric size 10mm needles (US size 15; UK/Canadian size 000) for the main garment construction, and metric size 2mm needles (US size 0; UK/Canadian size 14) for finishing details and edge work.

Gauge Information

The pattern specifies a gauge of 3 stitches to 1 inch and 3 rows to 1 inch when working with the doubled yarn on the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished garment dimensions and ensuring the piece fits as intended for the small to medium size range.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting pattern, the Isabella Top is suitable for knitters with foundational knitting experience who are comfortable with basic increases, decreases, and stitch manipulation. The pattern's use of fundamental techniques and clear row-by-row instructions makes it an accessible project for developing knitters seeking to expand their garment-making skills.