Women's Striped Sailor Top in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Women's Striped Sailor Top in Caron Simply Soft – Knitting Pattern by Lorna Miser

This free downloadable PDF pattern by designer Lorna Miser guides knitters through creating a classic Women's Striped Sailor Top using Caron Simply Soft yarn. Inspired by nautical style, the top features bold horizontal stripes in a crisp two-color combination, making it a wardrobe-ready piece that works from casual outings to breezy seaside days. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is available as a free downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a women's pullover top with a structured sailor-inspired stripe design. It is worked in two separate pieces — a back and a front — then seamed together. The top features shaped side seams that taper inward and then flare back out, creating a flattering silhouette, along with shaped armholes and a scooped or divided neckline. It is sized to fit a wide range of bodies, with finished bust measurements ranging from 35 inches (Small) up to 60 inches (3XL), and lengths ranging from approximately 20.5 inches to 24 inches depending on size.

Sizes Available

• S: 35" bust, 20.5" length
• M: 40" bust, 21" length
• L: 45" bust, 21.5" length
• XL: 50" bust, 22" length
• 2XL: 55" bust, 23.5" length
• 3XL: 60" bust, 24" length

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – Both the back and front pieces are worked flat, back and forth in rows, then seamed.
• Stripe pattern – A repeating six-row stripe sequence alternates between the Main Color and Contrast Color A, creating the signature sailor stripe effect. Rows 1–4 are worked in the Main Color, and Rows 5–6 are worked in the Contrast Color, then the sequence repeats throughout.
• Side shaping – Decreases and increases are worked at each edge every sixth row to shape the waist, giving the top a gently fitted look without complex dart construction.
• Armhole shaping – Stitches are bound off at the beginning of rows and then decreased every right-side row to create clean, tailored armhole curves.
• Neck shaping – The front neckline is shaped separately on each side after dividing stitches at the center, requiring knitters to work each shoulder independently.
• Three-needle bind-off or stitch holder method – Shoulder stitches are placed on holders and later joined, a technique common in top-down or seamed garment construction.
• Garter stitch border – The lower edge is worked in garter stitch (knit every row) for several rows before transitioning to the main body, providing a neat, non-rolling hem.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – The primary stitch pattern throughout the body of the top; knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows. This smooth fabric shows off the stripe colorwork beautifully.
• Garter stitch – Used at the cast-on edge to create a tidy, stable hem that lies flat without curling.
• Standard increases and decreases – Used for waist shaping and armhole shaping throughout the garment.

Materials

The pattern calls for Caron Simply Soft, an aran weight yarn sold in 170g/6 oz skeins with approximately 288 meters (315 yards) per skein. Two colors are used:

• Main Color (MC): White (color 9701) — 2 skeins for sizes S and M, 3 for L, 4 for XL, 4 for 2XL, and 5 for 3XL.
• Contrast Color A (CC): Dark Country Blue (color 9711) —