Derecho Top in Berroco Remix Light - 386-1 - Downloadable PDF

Derecho Top – Knitting Pattern by Alison Green in Berroco Remix Light

The Derecho Top is a seamless, pullover-style knitted top designed by Alison Green and published by Berroco as part of Booklet #386. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated Intermediate in skill level, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with circular knitting, short rows, and basic shaping techniques. The design is worked entirely in one piece from the neck down, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a clean, polished finish.

What Is Being Made

The Derecho Top is a fitted-to-relaxed women's pullover top with a shaped neckline and a shaped lower edge. It is shown in a 37" finished bust measurement and is available in a wide range of sizes spanning 34" to 58" finished bust, with corresponding back lengths ranging from 23" to 26½". The garment is designed with approximately 4–6" of positive ease, so knitters are encouraged to take their actual measurements into careful consideration when selecting a size. The top-down, one-piece construction means the yoke, body, and any shaping are all integrated seamlessly as the knitting progresses.

Construction Method

One of the defining features of the Derecho Top is its top-down, seamless construction. Knitting begins at the neckline, where stitches are cast on and joined for working in the round. The yoke is shaped first, followed by the body, with all sections worked continuously. This approach allows knitters to try the garment on as they go and make fit adjustments in real time. Because no seaming is required, the finished fabric has a smooth, uninterrupted texture throughout.

Techniques Used

• Short rows with wrap and turn (w&t): Both the neck edge and the lower edge of the top are shaped using short rows. This technique creates gentle curves in the fabric without binding off or adding separate pieces. Wraps are picked up and knitted together with their corresponding stitches to avoid holes in the finished fabric.
• Circular knitting in the round: The entire garment is worked on circular needles, transitioning between a 16" circular needle for the yoke and a 29" circular needle for the body as the stitch count increases.
• Double pointed needles (dpns): A set of four size 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles is required, likely for finishing smaller circumference sections such as sleeve openings or neckline edging.
• Stitch marker placement and management: Five stitch markers are used throughout the pattern, including one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of the round at the center back neck. Careful marker management is essential for tracking short row sections and yoke increases.
• Picking up wraps: As short rows are resolved, wrapped stitches are knitted together with their wraps to maintain a smooth fabric surface — a technique that requires attention to detail and is characteristic of intermediate-level knitting.
• Ribbing / seed-stitch border: The neck edge is finished with an alternating sequence of purl one round, knit one round repeated three times on smaller needles, creating a subtle textured border before transitioning to the main fabric.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern for the body of the top, worked in the round as all knit stitches. The gauge is set in stockinette stitch.
• Reverse stockinette / alternating knit-purl rounds: Used at the neckline border to create a simple, clean rolled or textured edge.
• Wrap and turn short row technique: Integrated throughout the neck and hem shaping sections.

Yarn and Materials

The Derecho Top is knitted in Berroco Remix Light, a DK weight yarn sold in 100-gram balls. The colorway shown is #6993 Pepper, a sophisticated neutral tone. Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern calls for 2 to 4 balls of yarn — smaller sizes require 2 balls, while larger sizes up to 58" require 4