Lustre Top in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK - Downloadable PDF

Lustre Top in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK – Pattern Summary

The Lustre Top is a knitted top designed by Quail Studio and published as a downloadable PDF pattern under the Mode at Rowan brand. It is worked in Cotton DK yarn and is rated as a beginner level project, making it an excellent choice for knitters who are building confidence with garment construction. The design is clean and wearable, with thoughtful shaping details that keep the knitting engaging without being overwhelming.

What Is Being Made

The Lustre Top is a knitted garment designed to be worn as a top. It features sleeve extensions that are shaped as part of the construction, giving the silhouette a relaxed yet structured feel. The pattern is available in nine sizes, with actual chest measurements ranging from 90 cm (35½ in) up to 170 cm (67 in), fitting chests from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) through to 152–157 cm (60–62 in). This generous size range makes the Lustre Top accessible and inclusive for a wide variety of knitters.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting using a standard pair of needles for the main body sections
• Circular needle knitting for the neck and cuffs, worked on a 40 cm circular needle to achieve a neat, even finish on smaller circumferences
• Sleeve extension shaping, which is worked by increasing at each end of a right-side row using directional make-one increases
• Stitch marker placement to keep track of pattern repeats and shaping sections
• Stitch holder usage to hold live stitches while other sections are worked — a fundamental garment-making technique
• Keeping pattern correct while simultaneously working shaping, a skill that helps beginner knitters develop pattern awareness

Stitches Used

• A stitch pattern forms the main fabric of the top — the pattern is worked across multiple rows and requires stitch markers to maintain alignment
• M1R (Make 1 Right) and M1L (Make 1 Left) — directional increase stitches used during sleeve extension shaping to create smooth, slant-matched increases on either side of the fabric
• K1 (knit 1) edge stitches are maintained at each side during shaping rows, preserving a tidy selvedge

M1R and M1L are lifted increases worked into the bar between stitches. M1R leans to the right and M1L leans to the left, so when used as a pair they create symmetrical, nearly invisible increases — ideal for clean garment shaping.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Mode at Rowan Cotton DK, a DK weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. The photographed sample is worked in Macaroon 011. Quantities range from 10 balls for the smallest size up to 18 balls for the largest size.
• Needles: One pair of 4 mm (US 6) straight needles for the main fabric, plus one 4 mm (US 6) circular needle measuring 40 cm for the neck and cuffs
• Extras: Stitch markers and stitch holders

Tension

The stated tension is 24 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm, measured over the stitch pattern using 4 mm (US 6) needles. Achieving the correct tension is important for garment fit, particularly given the wide range of sizes available. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning.

Who Is This Pattern For?

Rated as a beginner pattern, the Lustre Top by Quail Studio is ideal for knitters who have mastered basic knit and purl stitches and are ready