Top Ajouré in Bergere de France Coton Fifty - 72277-10 - Downloadable PDF

Top Ajouré in Bergere de France Coton Fifty – Knitted Lace Summer Top Pattern (PDF Download)

This downloadable knitting pattern from Bergere de France provides full instructions for creating the Top Ajouré, an elegant openwork summer top worked in the brand's own Coton Fifty yarn. The design features a delicate ajouré (lace) stitch pattern that gives the garment a light, airy quality, making it an ideal warm-weather knit. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is available in four sizes: S, M, L, and XL, offering a versatile fit for a range of body types.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Bergere de France Coton Fifty, a 4-ply weight yarn. The colourway used in the sample is Grenadier (shade 35264). The number of balls required varies by size:

• Size S: 4 balls
• Size M: 4 balls
• Size L: 4 balls
• Size XL: 5 balls

Coton Fifty is a cotton-blend yarn well suited to warm-weather garments. Its smooth texture and stitch definition make it particularly effective for lace and openwork patterns, allowing each yarn-over and decrease to show clearly and crisp up beautifully after blocking.

Needles

• 3.5 mm knitting needles are used throughout the pattern for all stitch sections.

Construction and Garment Shaping

The Top Ajouré is constructed in the classic flat, seamed method, with a separate back and front worked individually and then joined at the shoulders and sides. The total height of the garment ranges from 50 cm to 56 cm depending on size (corresponding to 174–196 rows), giving the top a relaxed, wearable length suitable for wearing tucked in or loose.

Back

The back is worked flat on 3.5 mm needles using the combination of stitch patterns described below. Armhole shaping is worked by casting off stitches at each side, and at the full garment height, the remaining 16–18–18–21 stitches at each shoulder are cast off to complete the back piece.

Front

The front is worked identically to the back up to the armhole shaping, where the same cast-off method is applied. After the armholes are shaped, the neckline is formed by working the remaining 70–79–79–88 stitches and shaping the neckline opening. Shoulder stitches are cast off to match the back.

Finishing and Neckband

Once both pieces are complete, the right shoulder seam is joined first. A neckline border is then picked up around the entire neck edge, with 122–130–130–134 stitches picked up depending on size. This neckband is worked as follows: one right-side row is knitted on the wrong side of the work, and then all stitches are cast off by knitting them through the back loop on the right side of the work, creating a neat, firm neckline finish. The remaining shoulder and side seams are then assembled to complete the garment.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This pattern employs a combination of classic knitting stitches and a specialised lace technique, making it a rewarding project for an intermediate knitter looking to develop their openwork skills.

Reverse Stocking Stitch (Jersey Envers)

Reverse stocking stitch (jersey envers) is used on 3.5 mm needles for certain sections of the top, including the neckband. In reverse stocking stitch, the purl side of the fabric faces outward, creating a softer, more textured surface compared to standard stocking stitch. This provides a subtle contrast to the openwork sections of the garment.

Lace / Openwork Pattern (Point Ajouré)