JOY Top in Rowan Handknit Cotton - Downloadable PDF

JOY Top by Sarah Hatton – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Handknit Cotton)

The JOY Top is a stylish, lightweight knitted top designed by Sarah Hatton and published by Rowan. Released as part of the Rowan web collection (ROWEB-FEB17), this pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and is rated as an intermediate skill level project. It is a versatile wardrobe staple, ideal for warmer seasons thanks to the breathable cotton yarn specified.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a fitted, shaped women's top worked in a combination of stitch textures. The garment is designed to fit a wide range of bust sizes, from 81 cm (32 in) up to 117 cm (46 in), with actual garment measurements ranging from approximately 81 cm to 121 cm at the bust, offering a comfortable, close-to-ease fit across all sizes. The top features shaped armholes and carefully constructed underarm detailing, making it a polished, well-fitted piece suitable for everyday wear.

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The specified yarn is Rowan Handknit Cotton, a DK weight yarn. Rowan Handknit Cotton is a 100% cotton yarn known for its smooth texture, stitch definition, and breathability, making it particularly well suited to warm-weather garments like tops and tees. The quantity required varies by size, with larger sizes naturally requiring more yarn. As a DK weight project, knitters would typically use 3.75 mm or 4 mm knitting needles, though the specific needle size should be confirmed within the full pattern to achieve the stated tension/gauge.

Techniques Used

The JOY Top employs a combination of knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate category. Key construction techniques include:

• Armhole shaping – worked by decreasing stitches at set intervals to create a neat, fitted armhole opening
• Underarm stitch setting – a specific two-row sequence is used to transition smoothly between the body pattern and the armhole edge stitches, ensuring a tidy join
• Straight knitting – sections of the back are worked without shaping until a specified measurement is reached before armhole shaping begins
• Seaming and construction – as is typical for Rowan garment patterns, pieces are likely worked flat and seamed together

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates a thoughtful mix of stitch patterns that give the JOY Top its textural interest:

• Moss stitch (seed stitch) – used prominently at the underarm edges and borders; moss stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches on every row, producing a firm, non-curling fabric with a subtle, pebbly texture
• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – referenced as a transitional stitch where the moss stitch border meets the main body pattern, providing a smooth, flat surface
• Main body pattern stitch – the pattern references a central patt section throughout the back construction, indicating a defined stitch pattern forms the body of the garment (full stitch details are contained within the complete PDF)
• Rib or moss stitch edging – the underarm rows use a repeating (P1, K1) sequence, characteristic of moss stitch, to frame the armhole neatly

Construction Notes

The back of the JOY Top is worked flat, with the knitter working straight until the back measures between 25.5 cm and 30.5 cm (depending on size) before beginning armhole shaping. The underarm transition is set over two carefully defined rows, establishing the moss stitch border alongside the existing body pattern. This attention to detail at the armhole is characteristic of Sarah Hatton's design style, which balances decorative stitch interest with clean, professional finishing.

Who This Pattern Is For

The JOY Top is best suited to knitters who are comfortable