Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear Knit Top by Angela Hahn

What Is Being Made

Prickly Pear is a knitted tank top designed by Angela Hahn, available in seven sizes ranging from 31½ inches to 55½ inches bust measurement. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted, wearable garment intended to be worn with 1 to 4 inches of positive ease for comfortable wear. The finished length ranges from 19½ to 22¼ inches depending on size, making it suitable as a layering piece or standalone warm-weather top.

Construction Technique

Prickly Pear is worked primarily in the round from the bottom up, which is an efficient construction method that minimizes seaming. The knitter begins at the lower body edge and works upward to the armholes using circular needles. At the armholes, the construction transitions to flat knitting, with the upper back and front pieces worked separately. This hybrid approach combines the speed and seamlessness of circular knitting with the shaping control that flat knitting provides.

The shoulders are shaped using short rows, a technique that creates a more anatomically correct fit by adding depth at the shoulders without increasing stitch count. Once the shoulder shaping is complete, the shoulders are joined together using a three-needle bind-off, which creates a strong, flexible seam. The front features a deeper scooped neckline compared to the back, though the pattern notes this can be reversed if preferred. Finishing includes adding edgings around the neck and armholes after the main garment is complete.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern features a stitch pattern presented in chart form only, indicating a charted design rather than written-out row-by-row instructions. This chart-based approach allows for visual representation of the stitch pattern, making it easier to track complex or colorwork patterns. Knitters working this project should be comfortable reading knitting charts, which is typical for intermediate-level patterns.

Materials

Prickly Pear is designed for worsted-weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating fabric with good drape and durability. The pattern requires a 24-inch or longer circular needle to accommodate the cast-on stitches and initial rounds of in-the-round knitting. The cast-on uses 79 to 139 stitches depending on size, with additional stitches added for the second side of the body during the initial setup.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it appropriate for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle more complex construction methods. The combination of circular knitting, flat knitting, short-row shaping, and chart reading requires solid foundational skills and the ability to manage multiple techniques within a single project.