Espresso in Rowan Summerlite Dk - Downloadable PDF

Espresso by Chloe Thurlowe in Rowan Summerlite DK — Knitting Pattern Summary

Espresso is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Chloe Thurlowe and published by Rowan. It is available as a downloadable PDF and features a women's fitted top worked in the lightweight, warm-weather yarn Rowan Summerlite DK. The design is notable for its elegant colourwork motif, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with chart reading and multi-colour techniques.

What Is Being Made

Espresso is a women's knitted top, sized to fit a wide range of chest measurements. The pattern covers an extensive size range:

• To fit chest: 71–76 cm / 28–30 in through to 152–157 cm / 60–62 in
• Actual chest measurement of finished garment: 87 cm / 34¼ in through to 169 cm / 66½ in

This broad size inclusivity makes Espresso accessible to a wide range of knitters. The garment is shaped with armhole shaping, giving it a structured, fitted silhouette suited to warmer seasons, in keeping with the lightweight yarn used throughout.

Techniques Used

Espresso employs several knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate skill level category. Knitters working on this pattern should be comfortable with:

• Colourwork knitting from a chart — the pattern is worked using a 42-stitch pattern repeat across each row, combined with a 52-row pattern repeat, both of which are followed throughout the body of the garment
• Multi-colour knitting — the chart uses three yarn colours (referred to in the pattern as yarns A, D, and E), requiring the knitter to manage colour changes across rows
• Armhole shaping — stitches are cast off at the beginning of rows and then decreased at each end of subsequent rows to create a clean, tailored armhole; for example, 3 to 14 stitches are cast off at the beginning of the first two armhole rows depending on the size being worked, followed by further decreases
• Reading and following knitting charts — the entire colourwork section is worked from a charted grid, which is a skill that intermediate knitters will find manageable with careful attention
• Sizing and repeats — the pattern repeat count varies by size (repeating the 42-stitch motif 1 to 5 times across the row depending on the size chosen), so knitters must follow size-specific instructions carefully throughout

Stitches Used

The colourwork section of Espresso is worked entirely in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), beginning with a knit row on the right side. This means the construction is straightforward in terms of stitch structure, with the visual interest coming entirely from the colourwork chart rather than textural stitch patterns. Stocking stitch is one of the most fundamental knitting stitches — knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side — producing a smooth, flat fabric that is ideal for showcasing colourwork motifs clearly and crisply.

• Stocking stitch (st st) — used throughout the charted colourwork sections

Materials — Yarn and Needles

The pattern is written specifically for Rowan Summerlite DK, a DK-weight yarn sold in 50g balls. Summerlite DK is a popular Rowan yarn known for its breathable, lightweight qualities, making it particularly well suited to tops and warm-weather garments. The pattern calls for three colourways of this yarn, designated as colours A, D, and E within the chart key. Knitters should refer to the full pattern PDF for specific shade names and quantities required for each size.

As Espresso is a DK-weight knitting pattern, it is typically worked on knitting needles appropriate for DK yarn — commonly in the range of 3.75 mm to