Sarah Crop

Sarah Crop by Born & Raised Knits

Project Overview

The Sarah Crop is an advanced-level knitted crop top designed by Born & Raised Knits. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a fitted, cropped silhouette using DK-weight yarn in a sophisticated three-color construction. The design incorporates stranded colorwork and structural box pleats, making it an ideal project for experienced knitters looking to develop their skills in color patterning and shaping techniques.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's crop top with a tailored fit. The garment is available in nine graduated sizes, accommodating a range of fit preferences. The cropped length and fitted construction make this a contemporary, fashion-forward piece suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone top during warmer months.

Yarn Requirements and Materials

The Sarah Crop is worked in DK-weight yarn from Traveling Yarn across three coordinating colors:

• Main Color (MC): 'Spellbound' DK, ranging from 430 yards (size 1) to 1,182 yards (size 9)
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 'Arrow Root' DK, ranging from 215 yards (size 1) to 591 yards (size 9)
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 'Derby Day' DK, ranging from 215 yards (size 1) to 591 yards (size 9)

The pattern requires US Size 4 needles in 16-inch length for ribbed sections, US Size 6 needles in both 16-inch and 32-40 inch lengths for main construction, and optionally US Size 8 needles in 16-inch and 32-40 inch lengths for colorwork sections. Additional notions include stitch markers and a 4-inch gauge swatch for blocking and measurement verification.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Sarah Crop employs several advanced knitting techniques that require prior experience and skill development:

• Stranded Knitting: This colorwork method involves carrying unused yarn colors across the back of the work while knitting with the active color. Stranded knitting creates dense, durable fabric with excellent stitch definition and color contrast.
• Colorwork Box Pleats: A specialized structural technique combining color patterning with pleating, creating three-dimensional texture and visual interest. Box pleats are formed through strategic increases and decreases that fold the fabric into defined geometric shapes.
• Ribbing: The pattern uses 2x2 ribbing (alternating knit 2, purl 2) for fitted edges that provide stretch and recovery, typically found at cuffs, necklines, and waistbands.
• Lifted Increases: Both left-leaning (LLI) and right-leaning (RLI) lifted increases are incorporated for seamless shaping that maintains pattern continuity and creates minimal visual disruption in colorwork sections.

Core stitches used throughout include knit and purl stitches, with stitch markers placed strategically to track pattern repeats and shaping points. The pattern notation uses standard abbreviations including k (knit), p (purl), st (stitch), pm (place marker), and sm (slip marker).

Construction and Finishing

Gauge is measured after blocking, ensuring accurate finished dimensions. The optional use of larger needles (US Size 8) for colorwork sections accommodates the increased yarn density created by stranded knitting, preventing the fabric from becoming overly tight or stiff in patterned areas. This gauge adjustment is a professional technique that improves drape and wearability in complex colorwork garments.

This pattern is intended for personal use only and may not be used to create products for resale.