Cortado in Rowan Summerlite Dk - Downloadable PDF

Cortado Knitted Top by Chloe Thurlow

What Is Being Made

The Cortado is a knitted top designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), offering nine size options for a wide range of body types. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted garment with shaping through strategic increases worked into a charted pattern.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its fitted silhouette and patterned design. Increases are worked at regular intervals—primarily on every 4th row with additional increases on 6th and 8th rows depending on the size—to gradually expand the garment width. The increases are integrated directly into the charted stitch pattern, requiring knitters to work increases using the appropriate yarn color to maintain pattern continuity. The pattern uses right-side (RS) and wrong-side (WS) row designations to ensure proper shaping and pattern alignment throughout construction.

Stitches Used

The Cortado utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with charted colorwork. Knit stitches (K) form the foundation, particularly in edge stitches where 3 stitches are worked in knit at each side for selvage control. Make One (M1) increases are the primary shaping technique, worked at each end of specified rows to create gradual, even increases. The main body of the garment features charted pattern work, which incorporates multiple yarn colors and requires following a stitch-by-stitch pattern chart. This combination of basic stitches with colorwork creates visual interest while maintaining an intermediate skill level.

Materials

The Cortado is designed to be knitted using Rowan Summerlite DK yarn, a lightweight double-knit weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. The pattern references yarn A for the main color and indicates the use of additional yarn colors within the charted pattern sections. The DK weight and Summerlite fiber content suggest this is an ideal summer or lightweight garment suitable for warm-weather wear. Knitters will need appropriate needles for DK-weight yarn and the ability to work from a stitch chart to successfully complete this project.