Notch Neck Top in Sirdar No.1 - 10669 - Downloadable PDF

Notch Neck Top in Sirdar No.1 – Pattern 10669: A Knitted Summer Top for All Sizes

Pattern 10669 from Sirdar is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern for a Notch Neck Top, a stylish and wearable warmer-weather garment designed for knitters with an intermediate skill level. The pattern covers a generous size range of 81–137 cm (32–54 in) bust, making it an inclusive and versatile choice for a wide variety of knitters. The finished top features a distinctive notch neckline detail that gives it a modern, elegant look suitable for everyday wear.

About the Yarn: Sirdar No.1 Double Knitting

Sirdar No.1 is the recommended yarn for this pattern, and it is a true classic in the Sirdar range. Produced by Sirdar, a British yarn company established in West Yorkshire in 1880, this yarn has been a favourite among hand knitters for generations. Sirdar No.1 is described as a double knitting crepe yarn, which means its fibres are twisted in a particular way that gives the finished fabric a subtle texture, excellent stitch definition, and a smooth, refined surface.

Key qualities of Sirdar No.1 include:

• Gentle sheen – the yarn has a soft lustre that elevates the finished garment beyond a standard matte DK yarn
• Soft, silky feel – making it particularly comfortable to wear against the skin in warmer months
• Crepe construction – which contributes to excellent stitch clarity and a fabric that drapes beautifully
• Co-ordinating shade palette – Sirdar No.1 is available in a feminine range of pretty shades that work harmoniously together, as demonstrated in the pattern photography

The pattern photography shows the top knitted in shade 244 and shade 202, giving knitters a clear sense of how the finished garment looks in two different colourways from the Sirdar No.1 range. Both shades highlight the yarn's characteristic sheen and the clean stitch definition that the crepe construction provides.

Yarn Weight and Needle Information

This pattern uses DK (double knitting) weight yarn, specifically Sirdar No.1 Double Knitting. DK weight is one of the most popular yarn weights in hand knitting, sitting between 4-ply and Aran in thickness. It knits up at a medium pace, making it ideal for garment projects where you want a fabric that is neither too heavy nor too delicate. Knitters should use the needle size specified within the pattern PDF to achieve the correct tension and ensure accurate sizing across the full 81–137 cm size range.

Design Details: The Notch Neck Top

The Notch Neck Top is a flattering, lightweight knitted top designed with warmer weather in mind. The defining feature of this design is its notch neckline — a neat, tailored cut-out at the centre front of the neckline that adds visual interest and a contemporary finish without being overly complex to execute. This detail sets the garment apart from a standard round or V-neck top and gives it a polished, fashion-forward appearance.

As an intermediate-level pattern, this design is well suited to knitters who are comfortable with the fundamentals of garment knitting — including working from a tension swatch, shaping armholes and necklines, and seaming finished pieces — but who may not yet have tackled highly complex construction techniques. The intermediate rating reflects the garment shaping and neckline detail rather than any unusually difficult stitch patterns.

Techniques and Stitches

While the full stitch and technique breakdown is contained within the downloadable PDF, knitted tops of this style and construction typically involve the following elements:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – the smooth, classic knitted fabric most commonly used for the main body of fitted and semi-fitted tops
• Rib stitch – typically used at hems, cuffs, and neckbands to create a neat, stretchy edging that sits close to the body
• Armhole shaping – achieved through a series of cast-off and decrease rows to create a clean, fitted armhole