Breakers Top in Berroco Modern Cotton DK - Downloadable PDF

Breakers Top in Berroco Modern Cotton DK – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Breakers Top is a stylish, relaxed-fit knitted tank top designed by Åsa Buchta and published by Berroco. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated Easy and is an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable working in the round and transitioning to flat knitting. With 10 sizes ranging from a 34" to 70" finished bust measurement, the Breakers Top is a genuinely inclusive design that suits a wide range of bodies.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a sleeveless tank top with shoulder straps. It is designed with a comfortable, casual silhouette and a recommended ease of approximately 1–4 inches (2.5–10 cm) of positive ease. The sample shown is knitted in size 2 at a 38" / 96.5 cm finished bust, modeled with 4" / 10 cm of positive ease. The body length, not including the shoulder straps, ranges from approximately 18 to 20½ inches (45.5–49 cm) depending on size, making it a versatile layering piece or standalone warm-weather top.

Construction Method

The Breakers Top is constructed using a combination of circular and flat knitting. The body is worked in the round from the bottom up to the underarms. At that point, the work is divided, and the upper back and upper front are each worked flat in separate sections. This construction approach keeps seaming minimal while allowing for clean shaping at the armholes and neckline. The shoulder straps complete the top and are not included in the stated body length measurement.

Pattern Stitch and Techniques

The main fabric is created using a simple two-row Pattern Stitch that alternates between a plain knit round and a k1, p1 ribbing-style round, creating a subtle textured surface with excellent drape and visual interest. This stitch pattern is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches when knitting in the round, and over a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1 when working flat, ensuring the texture remains consistent across both construction phases.

• Round 1 (in the round): Knit all stitches
• Round 2 (in the round): *K1, p1; repeat from * around
• Flat version follows the same principle adapted for right-side and wrong-side rows

Key techniques used throughout this pattern include knitting in the round, flat knitting, stitch division at the underarm, and gauge swatching. Knitters should be comfortable switching between circular and flat construction mid-project. The pattern also involves placing and working with stitch markers and using waste yarn to hold stitches, both standard intermediate-level skills.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – the foundation of the Pattern Stitch
• Purl stitch – used in alternating rounds to create the textured pattern
• K1, p1 ribbing – forms the distinctive surface texture of the fabric

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Modern Cotton DK, a DK weight yarn sold in 100 g hanks. The sample is knitted in colorway #6621 Warbler. Yardage requirements range from 2 hanks for the smallest size up to 5 hanks for the largest, making this a relatively yarn-efficient project. Berroco Modern Cotton DK is a cotton-blend yarn well suited to warm-weather knitting, offering stitch definition and comfortable wearability.

Needles and Notions

Two needle sizes are required for this pattern:

• US size 4 / 3.5 mm – 32" / 80 cm circular needle (larger needle, used for the main body