Ladies' Tops in King Cole Cottonsoft Crush DK - 4772 - Downloadable PDF

Ladies' Tops in King Cole Cottonsoft Crush DK – Pattern 4772

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents a collection of ladies' tops knitted in King Cole Cottonsoft Crush DK yarn. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and covers a size range of 81–107 cm (32–42 in), making it suitable for a broad range of figures. The pattern includes at least two distinct designs: a Short Sleeved Top and a Raglan Sleeve Top, both worked in the same yarn and sharing a similar construction philosophy.

Note: King Cole donates to the Pink Ribbon Foundation for every pattern purchased.

Design 1: Short Sleeved Top

The Short Sleeved Top is a classic, wearable knit designed for warmer weather or layering. Both the back and front pieces are worked identically, simplifying the construction process and making it an approachable project for intermediate knitters.

Construction and Shaping

The back and front are cast on using the thumb method with 3¼ mm needles, beginning with 85, 91, 97, 103, or 107 stitches depending on the chosen size. The lower edge is finished with a 1x1 rib border worked over 22 rows, providing a neat, stretchy hem. The rib is formed by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row, a technique that creates elasticity and helps the garment sit smoothly against the body.

After the ribbed border, the work transitions to 4 mm needles and continues in stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) for the main body fabric. This gives the top its smooth, classic appearance on the right side.

Sleeves

The sleeves are also cast on using the thumb method on 3¼ mm needles, beginning with 79, 83, 83, 87, or 93 stitches. A short 1x1 rib cuff of 5 rows is worked before switching to 4 mm needles. A decrease row is worked on the sleeve to shape the cap, reducing the stitch count before the raglan or armhole shaping begins. The sleeves are worked as a matching pair.

Techniques Used

• Thumb method cast-on – a firm, neat cast-on well suited to rib edges
• 1x1 rib – alternating knit one, purl one across rows for stretchy borders
• Stocking stitch – knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows
• Decrease shaping – used at armhole, raglan, and neck edges to sculpt the fit
• P2tog (purl two together) – a simple decrease used during sleeve shaping

Design 2: Raglan Sleeve Top

The Raglan Sleeve Top is the more structured of the two designs, featuring the classic raglan sleeve construction in which the sleeves and body are shaped simultaneously to create a diagonal seam running from the underarm to the neckline. This style is well loved for its comfortable fit across the shoulders and its elegant, streamlined silhouette.

Construction and Shaping

As with the Short Sleeved Top, the back and front of the Raglan Sleeve Top are worked identically. The same cast-on stitch counts and needle sizes apply, with the lower body beginning in 1x1 rib on 3¼ mm needles before moving to stocking stitch on 4 mm needles.

The defining feature of this design is the raglan armhole shaping. Once the body reaches the correct length, stitches are cast off at the underarm and then decreases are worked at the raglan edges on specified rows throughout the remainder of the body. The pattern provides precise row-by-row instructions for each of the five sizes, ensuring the diagonal raglan line is correctly proportioned.

Neck Shaping

The neckline is shaped by working simultaneous decreases at