Small Hours Top in Erika Knight Studio Linen - Downloadable PDF

Small Hours Top in Erika Knight Studio Linen – Pattern Summary

The Small Hours Top is a relaxed, double v-neck, t-shirt style knitted top designed by Erika Knight and worked in her signature Erika Knight Studio Linen yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers five sizes ranging from Small through XXL, with finished chest measurements spanning 98 cm (38½ in) to 146 cm (57½ in) and back lengths from 53 cm to 61 cm. The design is clean and wearable, combining classic t-shirt proportions with thoughtful knitted details that elevate it beyond a basic garment.

Construction Method

The Small Hours Top is cleverly constructed using a combination of circular and flat knitting techniques. The body is knitted in the round on a 3.75 mm / US 5 circular needle (80 cm / 32 in length) from the hem upward until the armhole shaping begins. At that point, the work transitions to flat knitting on two needles, allowing the sleeves and the v-neck sections to be shaped individually. This hybrid approach keeps seaming to a minimum while still enabling precise shaping where it matters most.

Design Details and Stitch Techniques

Several distinct knitted details give the Small Hours Top its refined character:

• Double v-neck: The defining feature of the design, the v-neck is worked with a lace and eyelet detail, adding a delicate, decorative finish to what could otherwise be a purely minimal neckline.
• Rib selvedge edge on sleeves: The sleeve edges are finished with a rib selvedge, providing a neat, structured border that lies flat and frames the arm opening cleanly.
• Three-needle cast off at shoulders: The shoulder seams are joined using a three-needle cast off, a technique that creates a tidy, strong seam by knitting stitches from two needles together simultaneously, eliminating the need for sewing at the shoulder join.

Stitches Used

The pattern draws on a focused but varied set of stitches and techniques suited to an intermediate knitter:

• Stocking / Stockinette stitch (St st) – the primary fabric stitch used throughout the body
• Rib stitch – used for the selvedge edges on the sleeves
• Lace and eyelet stitch – worked at the v-neck for decorative effect
• K2tog (knit 2 stitches together) and K2togtbl (knit 2 stitches together through the back loops) – right- and left-leaning decreases
• P2tog and P2togtbl – purl-side decreases used in shaping
• skpo (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) – a further decrease method for shaping
• M1B and M1F (make one back and make one front) – paired increase techniques used to add stitches cleanly
• yfrn / yon (yarn forward / yarn over needle) – used to create the eyelet openings in the lace neckline detail
• Three-needle cast off – for joining shoulder seams

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Erika Knight Studio Linen, a DK weight yarn composed of 85% recycled linen and 15% premium linen. Each hank contains approximately 120 m / 131 yds per 50 g. The quantity required ranges from 6 to 8 hanks depending on size (6 hanks for S and M, 7 for L, and 8 for XL and XXL). The colourway shown in the pattern photography is Velvet. Studio Linen is a naturally breathable, plant-based fibre with a relax