Abatina Top in Berroco Folio - Downloadable PDF

Abatina Top in Berroco Folio – Knitting Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Abatina Top is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Emily Nora O'Neil and published by Berroco as part of Booklet #372. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern produces a relaxed, generously oversized pullover top with a clean, understated aesthetic. The garment is intentionally designed to be quite oversized, so careful size selection is essential — knitters are encouraged to consider their preferred ease and finished measurements before casting on.

Finished Measurements and Sizing

The Abatina Top is offered in four sizes with the following finished bust and length measurements, given after blocking:

• Bust: 46(52–58–64) inches
• Length: 30(31–32–33) inches

An important note from the designer: because this garment is worked primarily in Garter Stitch, it will grow lengthwise after blocking. Knitters should factor this characteristic into their gauge swatch and size selection. The sample shown in the pattern is knit in the 52-inch finished size.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Folio, a DK weight yarn, in colorway #4543 Birch. The quantity required varies by size:

• 5(6–7–7) balls of Berroco Folio (50 grams per ball)

Berroco Folio is a refined DK weight yarn known for its soft drape and elegant finish, making it well suited to a relaxed, flowing top like the Abatina. The light, neutral Birch colorway showcases the simple texture of Garter Stitch beautifully.

Additional materials required include:

• 16-inch and 29-inch circular knitting needles, size 8 (5.00 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge
• 2 stitch markers
• Waste yarn for holding stitches

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is critical for this pattern, particularly given the lengthwise growth associated with Garter Stitch after blocking. The required gauge is:

• 16 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in Garter Stitch

Knitters are strongly advised to swatch and block their gauge sample before beginning the garment to ensure accurate finished dimensions.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Abatina Top is built around the timeless simplicity of Garter Stitch, which forms the primary fabric of the entire garment. Garter Stitch — created by knitting every row when working flat — produces a squishy, horizontally ridged texture with excellent drape and a relaxed, casual hand. It is a stitch pattern that is approachable yet yields a sophisticated finished fabric, especially in a quality DK yarn like Berroco Folio.

The use of both 16-inch and 29-inch circular needles suggests the pattern involves working in the round at some point — likely for neckline or armhole finishing — in addition to flat construction for the main body panels. Stitch markers are used to delineate sections during construction, and waste yarn is used to place stitches on hold, a technique common in seamless or partially seamless top-down or modular construction methods.

At an intermediate skill level, this pattern is appropriate for knitters who are comfortable with:

• Working with circular needles both flat and in the round
• Using stitch markers to track pattern sections
• Placing and returning held stitches using waste yarn
• Blocking knitted fabric to achieve final measurements
• Selecting size based on finished garment measurements and personal ease preferences

Design Style and Wearability