Long Sleeved and Sleeveless Tops in Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK - 7940 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK Pattern 7940 – Long Sleeved and Sleeveless Tops

Pattern 7940 from Sirdar is a knitting pattern offering two elegant top designs in Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK: a classic long sleeved top and a chic sleeveless top. Both versions are worked in the same core construction and share a beautiful textured panel detail, making this a versatile pattern suitable for knitters with intermediate experience. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, covering an impressive range of sizes to fit busts from 81/86 cm (32/34 in) up to 132/137 cm (52/54 in), with actual measurements ranging from 90 cm to 141 cm, making it genuinely inclusive for a wide variety of body shapes.

The Long Sleeved Top

The long sleeved version is a polished, wearable knit with a full-length sleeve that is described as adjustable, giving knitters the flexibility to customise the fit. Sleeve lengths range from approximately 46 to 48 cm (18 to 19 in) depending on size, and the full garment length measured from the back of the neck ranges from 60 to 73 cm (23¾ to 28¾ in) across the size range. The textured panel running through the design adds visual interest and elevates the top beyond a simple stocking stitch garment.

For the long sleeved top, you will need:

• 9 to 16 balls of Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK in shade 376 (50g balls), depending on size
• A pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles
• A cable needle

The Sleeveless Top

The sleeveless version shares the same elegant silhouette and textured panel detailing but is worked without sleeves, making it ideal as a standalone warm-weather garment or as a layering piece. It requires fewer materials, making it a slightly more economical project while still delivering a sophisticated finished look. The full length and sizing measurements mirror those of the long sleeved version.

For the sleeveless top, you will need:

• 6 to 11 balls of Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK in shade 218 (50g balls), depending on size
• A pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles
• A cable needle

Yarn and Materials

Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK is a DK weight yarn well regarded for its smooth, stable double crepe construction, which gives knitted fabrics excellent stitch definition and a neat, professional finish. Its wash 'n' wear properties make the finished garments practical and easy to care for — an important consideration for everyday tops. The pattern notes that the design is also suitable for a wide range of alternative DK yarns, including Amalfi DK, Beachcomber DK, Cotton DK, Cotton Prints DK, Country Style DK, Harrap Tweed DK, Toscana DK, and Soukie DK, though yarn amounts may vary when substituting.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both designs combine classic and textured knitting techniques to create their distinctive appearance. The primary fabric is worked in stocking stitch, providing a smooth, flat background that contrasts beautifully with the decorative panel. The centrepiece of both tops is a Diamond Leaf Panel of 17 stitches, which measures 6 cm (2½ in) in width at the correct tension. This panel introduces a range of more advanced stitch techniques typical of decorative knitting panels.

Key stitches and techniques used in this pattern include:

• Stocking stitch – the main fabric