Top in Sirdar Wash ‘N’ Wear Double Crepe DK - 7223 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Top in Wash 'N' Wear Double Crepe DK – Pattern 7223

This Sirdar knitting pattern 7223 provides instructions for a classic short-sleeved top worked in Sirdar Wash 'N' Wear Double Crepe DK yarn. Designed to suit a wide range of body shapes, the pattern covers six sizes from a 32/34 inch to a 52/54 inch bust, making it an inclusive and versatile choice for knitters of all levels. The finished garment features a neat, wearable silhouette with a decorative lace-style panel detail, making it equally suited to casual and smart-casual occasions.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a women's knitted top with short sleeves, worked in separate pieces and seamed together. The actual finished bust measurements range from 92 cm (36¼ in) to 143 cm (56¼ in), offering a comfortable fit across all sizes. The full length of the garment measures approximately 53 cm to 59 cm (21 to 23¼ inches) depending on the size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 16 cm (approximately 6¼ inches) across all sizes. This makes it a lightweight, easy-to-wear layering piece suitable for year-round wear.

Design Details and Construction

The top is constructed in the traditional flat-knitting method, with a back piece worked as a key component of the design. The pattern includes a decorative lace panel incorporated into the body of the garment, adding visual interest and texture without making the knit overly complex. This lace detailing uses a combination of yarn-forward increases and paired decrease stitches to create an elegant, open-work effect within an otherwise straightforward structure.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – the garment is worked back and forth in rows on straight needles
• Thumb method cast-on – specified for casting on stitches at the start of each piece
• Lace patterning – using yarn-forward (yfwd) increases combined with slip-stitch decreases (s1, k1, psso) and standard decreases (k2tog) to form an open-work motif
• Tension/gauge management – the pattern strongly emphasises checking tension before beginning, with clear guidance on adjusting needle size accordingly
• Shaping – standard knitting shaping techniques are used throughout to achieve the correct fit across all six sizes
• Seaming – finished pieces are joined together to complete the garment

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – the main fabric of the garment, worked over the majority of the body and sleeves; tension is set at 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm over stocking stitch on 4mm needles
• Rib stitch – used on the lower edges and cuffs, worked on the smaller 3¼mm needles to create a neat, elasticated finish
• Lace pattern stitches – including yarn forward (yfwd), slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (s1, k1, psso), and knit 2 together (k2tog), creating the decorative open-work panel detail
• Knit (k) and purl (p) – the fundamental stitches forming the stocking stitch fabric throughout

Materials Required

The pattern is designed specifically for Sirdar Wash 'N' Wear Double Crepe DK yarn, used here in shade 383. The quantity required ranges from 8 to 13 balls of 50g depending on the size being made. This yarn is a DK (double knitting) weight yarn, well known for its smooth double crepe construction which gives a polished, drape-friendly finish that is ideal for tops and garments worn close to the body.

The pattern also notes compatibility with several alternative Sirdar DK yarns, including Country Style DK, Click DK, Crofter DK