Anker Top in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK

Anker Top – Knitting Pattern by Quail Studio in Mode at Rowan Cotton DK

The Anker Top is a knitted women's top designed by Quail Studio and worked in Mode at Rowan Cotton DK yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and offers an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and are ready to move beyond basic construction. The design has been photographed in two colourways — Pistachio 019 and Bubblegum 017 — showcasing how the clean, classic silhouette translates beautifully across different shades of this cotton yarn.

Garment Overview

The Anker Top is a fitted to semi-fitted women's top constructed in separate front and back pieces that are seamed together. It is sized across a wide range of bust measurements, making it an inclusive and versatile pattern suitable for many body types.

Sizing

The pattern includes nine sizes, designed to fit bust measurements from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in). The actual garment bust measurements range from 79 cm (31 in) to 163 cm (64¼ in), providing a modest amount of positive ease across most sizes for a comfortable, wearable fit.

Techniques and Construction

Primary Knitting Technique

The body of the Anker Top is worked flat, in separate pieces, using stocking stitch (st st) as the primary stitch pattern throughout. Stocking stitch — created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows — produces a smooth, even fabric that is ideal for showcasing the natural lustre and drape of cotton yarn. The flat construction means knitters work back and forth in rows rather than in the round, and the finished pieces are then seamed together.

Shaping

The pattern involves garment shaping typical of an intermediate-level top, including shoulder shaping and neckline construction. The PDF references casting off stitches at the shoulder and neck edges in stages, which is a standard technique for creating a neat, structured shoulder line. Stitches are placed on stitch holders at key points — particularly around the neckline — so that both sides of the neck can be worked separately and symmetrically. This split-neck construction requires knitters to rejoin yarn and work each side independently, a skill that distinguishes intermediate patterns from beginner ones.

Cast On and Cast Off

The pattern uses a standard cast-on method to begin the front and back panels, with the number of cast-on stitches varying by size — for example, 95 stitches for the smallest size up to 187 stitches for the largest. Casting off is worked in stages during shoulder and neck shaping, requiring careful attention to stitch counts across all nine sizes.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) — the main body fabric, worked throughout
• Knit (K) rows — worked on right-side rows
• Purl (P) rows — worked on wrong-side rows

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this pattern. The stated tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm, measured over stocking stitch using 3.5 mm (US 4) needles. As cotton yarn has less elasticity than wool, knitters are encouraged to swatch carefully and adjust needle size if necessary to match this tension before beginning the garment, as even small deviations can significantly affect the final fit across such a wide range of sizes.

Materials

Yarn

The pattern calls for Mode at Rowan Cotton DK, a DK weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. The quantity required ranges from 6 balls for the smallest size up to 11 balls for the largest. Cotton DK is a smooth, breathable yarn well-suited to warm-weather tops, offering excellent stitch definition that makes the clean lines of the Anker Top look crisp and polished. The two photographed colourways — Pi