Hollyhock

Hollyhock by Marie Wallin

What Is Being Made

Hollyhock is a knitted and crocheted top designed by Marie Wallin. This garment combines hand knitting with crochet detailing to create a sophisticated layering piece. The design is available in five sizes ranging from Small through XXL, fitting bust measurements from 81–127 cm (32–50 inches). The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF format, making it accessible for crafters working at an intermediate skill level.

Primary Techniques and Construction

This design employs a hybrid approach, utilizing both knitting and crochet within a single garment. The primary construction uses knitting as the main technique, with crochet incorporated as a decorative or structural panel element. The combination of these two techniques creates visual interest and allows for varied stitch textures within the finished piece.

Knitting Stitches and Details

The knitted sections are worked in stockinette stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. This foundational stitch provides an ideal canvas for the contrasting crochet elements. The knitting is executed using 3mm needles (US size 2/3), with a tension of 28 stitches and 36 rows measured over 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch.

Crochet Stitches and Techniques

The crochet component features a more complex stitch repertoire, incorporating multiple advanced techniques:

• Chain stitches (ch) – foundational loops that create the base structure
• Double crochet (dc) – a basic stitch used throughout the crochet sections
• Treble stitches (tr) – taller stitches that add height and openness to the pattern
• Double treble stitches (dtr) – even taller stitches for extended reach and lacy effects
• Slip stitches (ss) – used for joining and seamless transitions
• Decrease techniques including dtr2tog and dtr3tog – specialized decreases that combine multiple double treble stitches into single stitches, creating shaping and textural variation

The crochet panel is worked using a 6.00mm crochet hook (US size J10) with yarn held double, creating a more substantial fabric. The crochet panel measures 19 centimeters in width, with 12 rows (comprising 2 pattern repeats) measuring 22 centimeters in length.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Hollyhock is designed to be worked in Rowan Summerlite, a 4-ply weight yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 6 x 50-gram balls for the smallest size (Small) to 12 x 50-gram balls for the largest size (XXL). The pattern is photographed in the colorway Pale Grey 418, though crafters may select alternative colors from the Rowan Summerlite range.

The needle and hook requirements are as follows:

• One pair of 3mm knitting needles (UK size 11, US size 2/3) for the main knitted sections
• One 2.50mm crochet hook (UK size 12, US size B1/C2) for finer crochet work
• One 6.00mm crochet hook (UK size 4, US size J10) for the primary crochet panel

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty. Crafters should be comfortable with both knitting and crochet fundamentals, including the ability to read pattern instructions, manage tension across different stitch types, and execute more advanced crochet decreases such as dtr2tog and dtr3tog. The combination of two distinct techniques requires familiarity with switching between knitting and crochet methods within a single project.