Lady Penny

Lady Penny Knit Slipover by Taiga Hilliard Designs

What Is Being Made

Lady Penny is a knit slipover designed as a lightweight summer top that combines style with breathability. This garment is engineered to keep the wearer cool during warm weather while providing an elegant drape. The design accommodates a wide range of sizes, with finished chest measurements ranging from 29 inches to 59 inches, making it accessible for many body types and fit preferences.

Construction Method and Approach

Lady Penny is knit top down, which means construction begins at the neckline and progresses toward the hem. The garment uses a hybrid construction technique: the front and back tops are knit separately in the flat (working back and forth in rows), then these pieces are joined together and the remainder of the slipover is knit mostly in the round. This combination of flat and circular knitting allows for precise shaping at the shoulders and neckline while maintaining the efficiency and seamlessness of in-the-round knitting for the body and hem.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for an intermediate skill level. Key techniques include:

• Slip stitch edge treatment: The first stitch of every row is slipped—knit wise on right-side rows and purl wise on wrong-side rows—to create a neat, finished edge
• Long tail cast on: Used to begin the garment, with a 12-inch tail reserved for seaming the top seam at completion
• Ribbed stitch patterns: The pattern incorporates both 1x1 ribbing (alternating purl 1, knit 1) and 2x2 ribbing (alternating purl 2, knit 2) to create textured, elastic sections that provide shape and recovery
• Circular knitting: Once the flat sections are joined, the remainder is worked in the round to minimize seaming

Yarn and Fiber Content

The pattern is designed to work beautifully with fingering weight yarn (3-ply), specifically tested with Mary Gavans Desert. The designer recommends natural fibers known for their drape and breathability, including silk, bamboo, and cotton. These fiber choices are ideal for a summer garment, as they allow air circulation and create the elegant, fluid drape that defines Lady Penny's aesthetic.

Gauge and Yardage Requirements

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches by 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Yardage requirements scale with size, ranging from 600 yards for the smallest size (29-inch chest) to 1,600 yards for the largest size (59-inch chest). This range allows knitters to select yarn quantities appropriate to their chosen size.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for US size 5 (4.50 mm) needles, though knitters are encouraged to use whatever needle size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge. Individual gauge varies based on knitting tension, so adjusting needle size is a normal and expected part of the knitting process.

Fit and Sizing Notes

Lady Penny is designed with 8 to 13 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished garment will be larger than the wearer's actual chest measurement. This generous ease creates a relaxed, comfortable fit ideal for a summer slipover. For those preferring a more fitted silhouette, the pattern recommends sizing down by one or two sizes. The multiple size options ensure that the garment can be customized to individual fit preferences and body measurements.