Daisy Fishtail Lace Polo Top in West Yorkshire Spinners Exquisite 4ply - DBP0274 - Downloadable PDF

Daisy Fishtail Lace Polo Top – Pattern Summary (DBP0274)

The Daisy Fishtail Lace Polo Top is a beautifully detailed knitted garment designed by Chloé Elizabeth Birch for West Yorkshire Spinners. Published as a downloadable PDF (pattern code DBP0274), this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a stylish polo-neck top featuring an elegant combination of lace patterning and classic construction. It is an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with lace techniques and are ready to take on a more refined, wearable garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a fitted polo-neck top worked in a lightweight 4ply yarn weight. The design takes its name from two of its most distinctive decorative elements: a daisy-inspired motif and a fishtail lace panel. Together, these create a garment that is delicate and feminine while remaining structured and wearable as a standalone top or layering piece. The polo neck adds a classic, sophisticated finish that makes this top versatile across seasons.

Lace Techniques and Design Details

The standout feature of this top is its fishtail lace patterning. Fishtail lace is a traditional knitted lace construction characterised by its fan-like, tapering repeats that resemble the forked tail of a fish. This style of lace is created through a careful sequence of yarn overs and decreases, which together form the open, airy texture that defines the design. The placement of these lace panels gives the garment movement and visual interest without overwhelming the overall silhouette.

Alongside the fishtail lace, the daisy motif adds a further layer of decorative texture. Floral and botanical motifs in knitted lace are achieved through precise stitch manipulation, and when worked in a fine 4ply yarn they appear crisp and well-defined. The combination of these two design elements — the structured repeat of the fishtail and the softer, rounded daisy detail — gives the Daisy Fishtail Lace Polo Top its distinctive character.

Stitches and Construction Techniques

Key Stitches Used

• Fishtail lace stitch – the primary decorative panel, worked through yarn overs and paired decreases
• Daisy motif stitch – a floral lace element integrated into the overall pattern
• Decreases – used both within the lace patterning and for garment shaping throughout
• Yarn overs – essential to creating the open lacework and the characteristic holes that define the fishtail and daisy designs
• Rib stitch – typically used for the polo neck and any cuffs or hems to provide elasticity and a neat, professional finish

Construction Method

• The garment is constructed using standard knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level
• Raglan sleeve construction is referenced in the finishing notes, with guidance on matching rows when seaming the raglan sleeve into the body
• Mattress stitch is the recommended seaming technique for joining garment pieces, producing an invisible, professional seam on the right side of the fabric
• The pattern uses brackets to indicate size-specific instructions and asterisks to denote stitch repeats, which is standard practice in knitting patterns and helps knitters navigate multiple sizes with ease

Tension and Sizing

As with all garments worked in fine yarn, tension is essential to achieving the correct fit and fabric drape in the Daisy Fishtail Lace Polo Top. The pattern strongly recommends knitting a tension square before beginning the full garment. If a knitter has fewer stitches than stated, they should move down a needle size; if they have more stitches, they should move up a needle size. Working to the correct tension ensures the lace patterning opens up correctly and the finished measurements match those stated in the pattern.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

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