Short sleeve & Sleeveless Tops in Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton DK - 9840 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton DK Pattern 9840 – Short Sleeve & Sleeveless Tops

Pattern 9840 from Stylecraft offers two easy-to-knit summer top designs worked in Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton DK: a Short Sleeve Top and a Sleeveless Top. Both garments are designed with a relaxed, wearable fit and are graded across a generous range of sizes, making them accessible to knitters of all body types. The pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an ideal project for those new to garment knitting who want to build confidence while creating something stylish and practical.

Sizes and Fit

Both tops are available in five sizes, covering a wide range of bust measurements:

• 81–86 cm (32–34 in)
• 91–97 cm (36–38 in)
• 102–107 cm (40–42 in)
• 112–117 cm (44–46 in)
• 122–127 cm (48–50 in)

The actual garment measurements are generously cut, ranging from 97 cm (38 in) to 137 cm (54 in) across the bust, providing a comfortable, relaxed silhouette. The full length of the Short Sleeve Top ranges from 57 cm (22½ in) to 68 cm (26¾ in) depending on size, with a short sleeve length of approximately 14–15 cm (5½–6 in).

Short Sleeve Top – Design Overview

The Short Sleeve Top is a classic warm-weather knit featuring short set-in or shaped sleeves and a neat, structured finish. It is constructed in separate pieces — back, front, and sleeves — which are then seamed together, giving knitters practice in both flat knitting and garment assembly.

Techniques Used

• Thumb method cast on – used to begin each piece, creating a firm, elastic edge well-suited to cotton yarn
• Moss stitch border – the lower edge of the back begins with 10 rows of moss stitch worked on 3¼ mm needles, creating a tidy, non-curling hem
• Textured stitch pattern – the main body transitions to a decorative combination stitch pattern worked on 4 mm needles, incorporating columns of knit and purl stitches for visual interest
• Shaping – armhole and neckline shaping are worked through decreases, introducing beginner knitters to the fundamentals of garment construction

Stitches Used

• Moss stitch (seed stitch) – formed by alternating knit and purl stitches on every row, producing a firm, textured fabric ideal for borders and hems
• Knit and purl combination pattern – the main body stitch pattern uses sequences of knit stitches interspersed with moss stitch panels, creating a subtle, attractive texture across the fabric
• Stocking stitch – likely used in sleeve and yoke sections for smooth, clean areas of the garment

Materials – Short Sleeve Top

• Yarn: Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton DK, 50 g balls
• Colour shown: Pink Clay (7182)
• Yarn quantities: 9 balls (smallest size) to 14 balls (largest size)
• Needles: 3¼ mm needles for the moss stitch border; 4 mm needles for the main body and sleeves

Sleeveless Top – Design Overview

The Sleeveless Top is the second design included in pattern 9840, offering a streamlined, tank-style silhouette perfect for warmer days or layering. Like the Short Sleeve Top, it is constructed