Caspian Top

Caspian Top by Irina Anikeeva

What Is Being Made

The Caspian Top is a women's knitted pullover garment designed by Irina Anikeeva. This intermediate-level knitting project is available as a downloadable PDF pattern and is suitable for knitters with some experience. The top is offered in six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, with finished bust circumferences from 35¼ inches (89.5 cm) to 55½ inches (141 cm), accommodating a wide range of body types with intended ease of 5–8 inches (13–20.5 cm).

Knitting Techniques

The Caspian Top employs a strategic construction method that combines circular knitting with flat knitting techniques. The body of the garment is worked in the round in one continuous piece from the cast-on edge up to the underarm. At the underarm, the knitting transitions to working flat, with the upper front and back sections worked separately back and forth in rows. This hybrid approach allows for seamless construction in the body while providing the control needed for shaping the neckline and armholes.

The pattern features a Cable Chart that is worked in both rounds and rows throughout the design. When working the cable pattern in the round, every row of the chart is worked as a right-side row. The pattern includes thoughtful design details, such as provisions for incomplete cables during front neck shaping—if there are insufficient stitches to complete a full cable repeat, knitters work those stitches in an alternative stitch pattern instead.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used in the Caspian Top is the Garter Ridge pattern, which creates a textured, dimensional fabric. The gauge for this pattern is 22 stitches and 32 rounds measured over 4 inches (10 cm) when worked on the larger needle after blocking. The pattern also features a 64-stitch Cable Chart that measures 10½ inches (27 cm) wide, indicating substantial cable work as a focal point of the design. The combination of garter ridges and cables creates visual interest and structure throughout the garment.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Caspian Top is designed to be knitted using sport weight yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size, with the smallest size (XS) requiring approximately 928 yards and the largest size (2XL) requiring approximately 1,570 yards. Sport weight yarn is a lightweight to medium-weight yarn that produces a drapey, refined fabric suitable for fitted garments like this top. The pattern is worked on larger needles for the main fabric to achieve the specified gauge of 22 stitches over 4 inches (10 cm).

Sizing and Fit

The Caspian Top pattern includes six size options to accommodate different body measurements. Sizes range from XS (to fit bust 28–30 inches / 71–76 cm) through 2XL (to fit bust 48–50 inches / 122–127 cm). The finished measurements provide 5–8 inches (13–20.5 cm) of positive ease, meaning the garment will be slightly larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement for comfortable wearing. The pattern was photographed on a size S, which has a finished bust circumference of 41 inches (104 cm).