Tops in Stylecraft Bamboo & Cotton DK - 10220 - Downloadable PDF

Tops in Stylecraft Bamboo & Cotton DK – Pattern 10220

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Stylecraft presents two easy texture designs for women's tops, both worked in Stylecraft Bamboo+ Cotton DK. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is notable for its inclusive sizing, spanning a generous range from 81/86 cm (32/34 in) to 122/127 cm (48/50 in) bust measurement. Both designs share the same yarn and construction approach but differ in their neckline styling, giving knitters a choice of finish to suit their personal taste.

Design One: Round Neck Top

What Is Being Made

The first design is a Round Neck Top, a classic, wearable everyday garment with a neat, close-fitting neckline. It is worked flat in separate pieces — back, front, and sleeves — and then seamed together. The top features shaped armholes and a yoke section, giving it a clean, structured silhouette suitable for warmer weather thanks to the breathable fibre content of the yarn.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting worked back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles
• Ribbing for the welt, worked over approximately 5 cm (2 in) at the lower edge to provide stretch and a neat finish
• Decrease rows within the rib section to reduce stitch count before transitioning to the main body fabric — for example, working rib2tog at calculated intervals to shape the lower body smoothly
• Armhole and yoke shaping, creating the fitted upper body structure
• Seaming techniques to join the finished pieces

Stitches Used

• k2, p2 rib — used for the welt border, ending with a right-side row before transitioning
• Stocking stitch (st-st) — the main body fabric, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic finish
• rib2tog — a decrease stitch used within the ribbed section to reduce stitches in a way that maintains the rib pattern's appearance

Construction Notes

The back is begun using 3.25 mm needles, casting on between 110 and 166 stitches depending on size. After working the rib welt, a decrease row is worked to reduce to between 101 and 147 stitches before changing to 4 mm needles for the stocking stitch body. The body is worked until the piece measures between 33 and 38 cm (13 to 15 in) before armhole shaping begins. The full length of the garment ranges from 56 cm to 67 cm (22 to 26½ in) across the size range.

Materials

• Yarn: Stylecraft Bamboo+ Cotton DK, 100 g balls — 3 balls for the two smallest sizes, 4 balls for the middle sizes, and 5 balls for the largest size. The colourway shown is Flamingo 7256.
• Needles: 3.25 mm for the rib welt and 4 mm for the main body
• Alternative yarns suggested: Stylecraft Cotton Twists DK and Stylecraft Colour Bursts DK

Design Two: V Neck Top

What Is Being Made

The second design is a V Neck Top, offering a more open, elegant neckline as an alternative to the round neck version. Like the first design, it is worked flat and seamed, and shares the same size range and general construction method. The V-neck shaping adds a flattering, lengthening effect to the neckline and makes this version particularly versatile for both casual and smarter occasions.

Techniques Used