Sweetie Swing Top - Free Knitting Pattern in Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK

Sweetie Swing Top – Free Knitting Pattern in Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK

The Sweetie Swing Top is a stylish, relaxed-fit women's knitted sweater featuring a flattering swing silhouette and delicate lace detailing. This free downloadable knitting pattern from Paintbox Yarns is rated Intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more refined construction methods. The top is worked entirely in the round from the bottom up, producing a virtually seamless finish that is both satisfying to knit and polished in appearance.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern is written to fit a range of bust measurements, covering six sizes:

• To fit bust: 81, 86, 91, 97, 102, and 107 cm (32–42 in)
• Actual chest measurement: 86–114 cm (33¾–45 in), offering a comfortable amount of ease
• Finished length from back neck: 49–51 cm (approximately 19¼–20 in)
• Sleeve seam: 9 cm (3½ in), giving the top a short, cap-style sleeve

Instructions are given for the smallest size first, with changes for larger sizes provided in square brackets throughout the pattern. Where a single figure appears, it applies to all sizes.

Design Features and Techniques

The Sweetie Swing Top combines several appealing design elements and construction techniques that give it both visual interest and a comfortable, wearable shape:

• Swing silhouette: The garment is shaped to be wider at the hem and taper gently toward the bust, creating a relaxed, flattering swing effect that suits a variety of body shapes.
• Bottom-up construction: The top is knitted from the cast-on hem edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as they go and make adjustments to length if desired.
• Worked in the round: Using circular and double-pointed needles, the body and sleeves are knitted seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for side seams and creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Lace detailing: Decorative lace elements are incorporated into the design, adding a feminine, lightweight quality to the fabric. Lace knitting involves yarn-forward increases paired with decreases to create openwork patterns, and this technique gives the Sweetie Swing Top its distinctive, delicate character.
• Stripes: The pattern includes stripe construction, adding visual interest through colour or texture variation worked across rounds.
• Seamless finish: By combining in-the-round knitting with careful shaping, the finished garment requires minimal making-up, resulting in a neat, seamless top.

Stitches Used

The pattern draws on a selection of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stocking stitch (st st): The main fabric is worked in stocking stitch, knitting every round when working in the round to produce a smooth, classic jersey surface.
• Yarn forward (yfwd): Used as part of the lace pattern to create decorative eyelets and openwork sections.
• Make one (M1): A neat increase worked by picking up the loop lying between two needles and knitting into the back of it, used for shaping throughout the garment.
• Slip stitch decreases (sl 1, psso): Used in combination with other decreases to shape the garment and form the lace pattern.
• Knit two together (K2tog): A standard right-leaning decrease used for shaping and lace construction.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P): Core stitches forming the foundation of the fabric and any ribbed or textured borders.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern is designed specifically for Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, a smooth, 100% cotton double knit weight yarn. The colourway featured on the pattern cover is Peach Orange. Yarn quantities required are:

• 6