Linen Top in Rowan Summerlite DK - RM006-00016-DEP - Downloadable PDF

Linen Top in Rowan Summerlite DK by Chloe Thurlow – Full Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Linen Top is an original knitwear design by Chloe Thurlow, published by Rowan under pattern reference RM006-00016-DEP. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern creates a lightweight, summery top featuring a distinctive striped design worked in two contrasting shades. The garment is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping and multi-colour work but are looking to develop their skills further.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted linen-style top designed to be worn close to the body with a neat, fitted silhouette. The design includes shoulder straps — specifically a structured right shoulder strap detail — and is shaped through side increases to achieve a flattering fit. The top is worked in a striped colourway using two yarn colours, giving it a fresh, casual aesthetic ideal for warm-weather wear.

The pattern is written to accommodate a wide range of body measurements, covering nine sizes with bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm up to 152–157 cm, with corresponding knitted bust measurements from 76 cm to 156 cm. This generous size range makes the pattern accessible to a broad spectrum of knitters.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Summerlite DK, a 50 g DK-weight yarn that is ideally suited to warm-weather garments. Two specific colourways are specified:

• Colour A – White 465
• Colour B – Summer 453

The yarn quantities vary by size, with smaller sizes requiring 2 balls of Colour A and 1 ball of Colour B, scaling up to 4 balls of Colour A and 2 balls of Colour B for the larger sizes. Rowan Summerlite DK is a smooth, breathable yarn with a subtle sheen, making it an excellent choice for a top that will be worn against the skin in summer. Its DK weight ensures the finished fabric is light and drapey without being too delicate to work with.

Techniques and Construction

This top is constructed using a combination of standard and more advanced knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate-level knitter. Key construction elements include:

• Stripe pattern – The body is worked in a repeating stripe sequence alternating between Colour A and Colour B, requiring the knitter to manage yarn changes cleanly at row edges.
• Side shaping with increases – Stitches are increased at both sides of the work at regular intervals. The shaping is worked over a sequence of rows, with increases made every 4th, 6th, or 8th row depending on the size being knitted, building from a narrower lower edge to a fuller bust measurement.
• Shoulder strap construction – The right shoulder strap is worked separately from a small number of live stitches (just 5 stitches), creating a narrow, neat strap. This involves working back and forth on a small stitch count, which requires careful attention to tension.
• Stitch holding and partial row working – After the main body shaping is complete, stitches are cast off for one side while the remaining stitches are placed on a stitch holder or spare needle, allowing each section to be worked independently. This is a classic technique used in garment construction to shape armholes and necklines.
• Casting off mid-row – The pattern includes a mid-row cast-off followed by turning the work, a technique that requires confidence with yarn management and stitch counting.

Stitches Used

The pattern primarily uses the following stitches and stitch techniques:

• Knit stitch – The main fabric is worked in knit, consistent with the smooth, clean aesthetic of the stripe pattern.
• Purl stitch – Purl rows are worked on the wrong side (return rows), indicating the fabric is worked