Tops in Hayfield Sundance DK - 8143 - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Sundance DK Tops – Pattern 8143: Knitted Long Sleeved Top and Sleeveless Top

Pattern 8143 from Hayfield is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two distinct top designs worked in Hayfield Sundance DK yarn: a classic Long Sleeved Top and a neat Sleeveless Top. Both garments are rated as intermediate in difficulty, making them an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore decorative stitch techniques. The pattern covers a generous range of sizes, fitting chest and bust measurements from 61/66 cm (24/26 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), with actual finished measurements spanning from 66 cm to 117 cm, ensuring a flattering fit across a wide variety of body shapes.

Design Overview

Both tops share the same elegant aesthetic rooted in the interplay of texture and lace detailing, but differ in their silhouette and yarn requirements. The Long Sleeved Top features set-in or shaped sleeves with an adjustable sleeve length ranging from 33 cm (13 in) to 48 cm (19 in) depending on size, while the Sleeveless Top offers a streamlined, warm-weather alternative. Full lengths range from approximately 42 cm (16½ in) to 64 cm (25¼ in) across the size range, giving each garment a wearable, contemporary proportion.

Yarn and Materials

Both designs are worked in Hayfield Sundance DK, a DK weight yarn known for its soft handle and excellent stitch definition — qualities that make it particularly well suited to the combination of textured and lace-effect stitches used throughout these patterns.

• Long Sleeved Top: Uses Hayfield Sundance DK shade 505, requiring between 3 and 6 x 100g balls depending on size.
• Sleeveless Top: Uses Hayfield Sundance DK shade 504, requiring between 2 and 3 x 100g balls depending on size.

Yarn quantities are based on average requirements when the stated tension and specified yarn are used. Knitters should always purchase sufficient yarn from the same dye lot to complete their chosen size.

In addition to yarn, the following materials are required:

• One pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles — the primary needle size used for the main body fabric.
• One pair of 3¼mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles — used for ribbing, borders, and any finer-gauge sections.
• Stitch holders — essential for holding live stitches during neckline and armhole shaping.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is described in the pattern as essential to ensure success. Two tension measurements are specified, both on 4mm needles:

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over reversed stocking stitch and stocking stitch.
• 21 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over the eyelet pattern.

Knitters are advised to adjust needle size as needed — using a thinner needle if fewer stitches are produced and a thicker needle if more stitches appear — to match these gauges precisely before beginning the project.

Stitches and Techniques Used

These tops combine several stitch types and knitting techniques that give the finished garments their distinctive textured and decorative character:

• Stocking stitch — the foundational knit-and-purl fabric used across much of the garment body, producing a smooth right-side surface.
• Reversed stocking stitch — where the purl side faces outward, creating a softly textured, matte surface that contrasts beautifully with smoother sections.
• Eyelet pattern — a lace-effect repeat incorporating yarn-over increases (