Pleated Top in BC Garn Silkbloom Fino - 2198BC - Downloadable PDF

Pleated Top in BC Garn Silkbloom Fino – Pattern No. 2198BC by Lene Holme Samsøe

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Lene Holme Samsøe, published by BC Garn under pattern number 2198BC, guides knitters through creating an elegant pleated top with sophisticated structural detailing. The design is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more refined construction methods such as pleating and cable needle work.

About the Design

The Pleated Top is a refined, wearable garment designed to sit beautifully on the body thanks to its structured pleat detail. The pleats are formed using a specific technique involving cable needles, creating a three-dimensional fold that adds visual interest and a tailored silhouette. The top is worked in stocking stitch (stockinette) as the primary fabric, with garter stitch used deliberately within the pleat construction to create the characteristic ridges that define and hold the pleated folds in place.

The garment is available in four sizes, making it accessible to a wide range of knitters:

• Size S: 86 cm bust, 59 cm length from neck
• Size M: 94 cm bust, 60 cm length from neck
• Size L: 102 cm bust, 62 cm length from neck
• Size XL: 110 cm bust, 63 cm length from neck

Techniques and Construction

The construction of this top involves several distinct knitting techniques that work together to achieve its structured, polished appearance. The body is primarily worked in stocking stitch / stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth, clean fabric that allows the pleats to stand out as a focal design element.

The pleat technique (Pleat-R) is a key feature of this pattern. It involves working two garter ridges on both sides over four rounds, followed by a cast-off step. Stitches are then slipped onto two cable needles or double-pointed needles to hold sections of the fabric to the front of the work, allowing the pleat to be folded and joined. This technique requires careful stitch management and attention to the specific stitch counts given for each size, as the number of stitches involved in the pleat varies across sizes.

After the pleat sections are completed, the pattern separates at the armholes, and each side is finished separately. The front begins with approximately 106 (114) 124 (134) stitches and continues in stocking stitch. The use of both straight needles and circular needles of different lengths is required throughout the pattern, reflecting the varied construction stages of the garment.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch / Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary fabric stitch, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, creating a smooth, flat surface
• Garter stitch: Knitted on all rows, used within the pleat construction to create the firm ridges that structure the pleated folds
• Pleat-R: A pattern-specific technique combining garter ridges, cast-off, and cable needle manipulation to form the signature pleats
• Knit (K) and Purl (P): Fundamental stitches used throughout
• Knitting together (tog): Used for shaping and joining

Materials Required

The pattern calls for BC Garn Silkbloom Fino yarn in the colourway ix blue. This is a 4-ply weight yarn, known for its luxurious silk and cotton blend that gives knitted fabric a beautiful drape and subtle sheen — qualities that are particularly well-suited to a structured top like this one. The yardage requirements are:

• Sizes S and M: 250g of BC Garn Silkbloom Fino