Wilhelmine Top in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK

Wilhelmine Top – Knitting Pattern Summary (MODE at Rowan Cotton DK)

The Wilhelmine Top is a beautifully understated knitted top designed by Quail Studio and published as part of the MODE at Rowan collection. Worked in Cotton DK weight yarn, this design offers a clean, relaxed silhouette that makes it a versatile wardrobe staple for warm-weather knitting. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to refine their finishing skills.

What Is Being Made

The Wilhelmine is a pullover top featuring identical back and front panels, simplifying construction considerably. It includes a collar detail worked after the main body pieces are seamed, adding a polished, structured finish to the neckline. The garment is designed with a generous range of sizes, accommodating a wide variety of body types from smaller to plus sizes.

Size Range and Fit

• To fit chest: 71–76 cm / 28–30 in through to 152–157 cm / 60–62 in — a total of nine sizes
• Actual chest measurement of garment: 86.5 cm / 34 in up to 166.5 cm / 65½ in, offering positive ease across all sizes
• The generous ease gives the top a relaxed, contemporary fit suitable for layering or wearing on its own

Techniques Used

The Wilhelmine Top is constructed using straightforward but satisfying knitting techniques that reward attention to detail. Key construction and finishing methods include:

• Flat knitting — both the back and front panels are worked flat on a pair of straight needles, making this an accessible project for knitters who prefer not to work in the round
• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) — the main body fabric is worked in classic stocking stitch, beginning with a knit row on the right side
• Seaming with mattress stitch — the right shoulder seam is joined using mattress stitch, which creates an invisible, professional-looking join on the right side of the fabric; back stitch is offered as an alternative for those who prefer it
• Collar construction — a collar is picked up and worked after the shoulder seam is joined, with stitches picked up from the right side using the same needles; this technique integrates the collar neatly into the finished garment
• Use of stitch markers and stitch holders — these tools are listed as required extras, indicating that stitches are placed on hold during shaping, likely at the neckline, and that markers are used to track pattern repeats or shaping points

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) — the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the top; knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows
• Knit stitch — referenced explicitly in the pattern row instructions, confirming standard knit rows on right-side fabric
• A pattern stitch (patt) is referenced in the tension note — tension is measured over patt using 4mm needles, suggesting there may be a textural or structured stitch element within the body beyond plain stocking stitch, adding subtle visual interest to the fabric

Materials Required

Yarn

• Yarn: MODE at Rowan Cotton DK, a 100% cotton double knitting weight yarn sold in 50g balls
• Quantity required: 8 to 12 balls depending on size — smaller sizes (71–76 cm chest) require 8 balls, while the largest size (152–157 cm chest) requires 12 balls
• Photographed colourway: Pistachio 019, a soft, muted green tone that highlights the clean lines of the design
• Cotton DK is an ideal fibre choice for a top of this style — it is breathable, has excellent stitch definition, and drapes beautifully, making it well suited to warm-weather garments

Needles and Notions