Valerie Top in Adriafil Duo Plus Comfort - Downloadable PDF

Valerie Top in Adriafil Duo Plus Comfort – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

The Valerie Top is a beautifully structured knitted top designed using Adriafil Duo Plus yarn, available as a free downloadable PDF pattern. Worked in a combination of a distinctive Pattern stitch and classic 2x2 Ribbing, this top offers an elegant textural contrast that makes it a versatile wardrobe staple. The pattern is written for three sizes — Small, Medium, and Large — making it accessible to a wide range of knitters.

What Is Being Made

The Valerie Top is a fitted or semi-fitted knitted top featuring a shaped neckline, armhole borders finished with ribbing, and clean shoulder seams. It is a garment designed for warm-weather or layered wear, with a polished finish achieved through careful neckline and armhole detailing. The top is knitted flat in pieces and seamed at the shoulders and sides for a neat, structured result.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Adriafil Duo Plus (shade 44) — an aran weight yarn. You will need 6 balls for sizes Small and Medium, and 7 balls for size Large.
• Needles: Size 3 mm and 3.5 mm straight knitting needles, plus size 3 mm double-pointed knitting needles for finishing the neckline border.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for a well-fitting garment. The pattern specifies a gauge of 23 stitches and 29 rows in Pattern stitch = 10 x 10 cm using size 3.5 mm needles. Knitters are advised to take time to check their gauge swatch and switch needle sizes if necessary before beginning the project.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• 2x2 Ribbing: A classic rib pattern worked by alternating knit 2 and purl 2 stitches across each row. This stitch is used for the neckline border and armhole borders, adding a neat, slightly stretchy finish to all edges.
• Pattern Stitch: A textured stitch pattern that forms the main body of the top. It begins with Rows 1 through 10 worked in Stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side), followed by a Row 11 that introduces a variation — the PDF excerpt references a wrap technique, suggesting a textured or lace-like row that creates visual interest against the smooth stockinette background.
• Stockinette Stitch: The foundation of the Pattern stitch section, creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric.
• Neckline Shaping: When the work measures 48 cm, the center 14, 16, or 18 stitches (depending on size) are bound off, and each shoulder half is worked separately. The neckline is further shaped by binding off 3 stitches, 6 times, every 2 rows at the neck edge, creating a smooth, rounded neckline curve.
• Shoulder Shaping: Shoulders are completed and stitches bound off when the work reaches 53 cm in total length.
• Armhole Borders: Stitches are picked up over 38, 40, or 42 cm (depending on size), with the shoulder seam centered. 90, 94, or 98 stitches are picked up and worked for 3 rows in 2x2 Ribbing, then bound off in pattern.
• Neckline Border: Using double-pointed needles, 132, 136, or 140 stitches are picked up around the entire neck edge and worked for 3 rows in 2x2 Ribbing, then bound off loosely to maintain stretch and comfort.

Construction and Finishing

The Valerie Top is constructed using a traditional se