Dunbar Top - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Dunbar Top – Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

The Dunbar Top is a women's knitted top designed by Debbie Bliss and worked in her beloved Baby Cashmerino yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a beautifully structured pullover-style top featuring a striking colourwork panel across the body, finished with neat ribbed edges and a clean, seamed construction. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers six sizes to fit bust measurements from 82 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in), with finished bust measurements ranging from 87 cm to 119 cm (34¼ in to 47 in) and a length to shoulder of 45 cm to 50 cm (17¾ in to 19¾ in).

What Is Being Made

The Dunbar Top is a lightweight, close-fitting women's top with a colourwork chart panel worked across both the front and back. The colourwork design is framed by sections of the main colour and is complemented by a ribbed lower edge. The shaped armholes and structured shoulder cast-offs give the finished garment a neat, tailored silhouette. With its refined colourwork detailing and elegant yarn choice, this top is equally suited to casual wear and smarter occasions.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat: Both the back and front pieces are knitted flat in rows, making this an accessible project for knitters who prefer working on straight needles rather than in the round.
• Seamed construction: The finished pieces are joined using seams, a traditional method that adds structure and durability to the garment.
• Colourwork from a chart: A multi-colour chart is used across the body of the top. Odd-numbered rows are knit rows and are read from right to left; even-numbered rows are purl rows and are read from left to right. Knitters use separate balls of yarn for each area of colour and twist yarns on the wrong side of the work to avoid holes — a technique known as intarsia.
• Ribbing: A k1, p1 rib is worked at the lower edges using smaller needles, providing a neat, elastic finish that keeps the hem in place.
• Armhole and shoulder shaping: Stitches are cast on at the beginning of rows to shape the armholes, and shoulders are shaped with a series of cast-offs for a professional finish.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st): The main fabric of the top is worked in stocking stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — providing a smooth, even surface ideal for showcasing the colourwork chart.
• K1, P1 Rib: Used at the lower edges to create a stretchy, tidy border. The rib is formed by alternating knit and purl stitches across the row, with the pattern reversed on return rows.
• Intarsia colourwork: Multiple colours are introduced across individual rows following the chart, with five colours used in total across the colourwork panel.

Materials

The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, a sport-weight yarn celebrated for its exquisitely soft blend of merino wool, microfibre, and cashmere. This yarn is gentle against the skin and gives the finished top a luxurious drape and subtle sheen. The following shades are specified:

• Camel 102 – the main colour (M), used for the majority of the garment; 6 to 7 × 50g balls depending on size
• Sienna 67 (A) – one 50g ball
• Ecru 101 (B) – one 50g ball
• Mink 64 (C) – one 50g ball
• Chocolate 11 (D) – one 50g ball

Two pairs of knitting needles are required: 2.75mm (US 2) needles for the