Sports Luxe Top

Sports Luxe Top by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Sports Luxe Top is a contemporary knitted sweater designed by independent designer Sian Brown. This garment is a pullover-style top crafted to provide a sophisticated, athletic-inspired aesthetic. The design offers a range of 10 size options, accommodating bust measurements from 81 cm (32 inches) to 127 cm (50 inches), making it accessible for a wide variety of body types. The finished bust measurements range from 89 cm (35 inches) to 137 cm (54 inches), with length to shoulder varying from 54 cm (21¼ inches) to 63 cm (24¾ inches), and sleeve lengths ranging from 30 cm (11¾ inches) to 33 cm (13 inches).

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project suitable for beginner-level knitters. The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques that make it an excellent introduction to garment construction. The top begins with a ribbed cuff worked on smaller needles, which creates elasticity and a fitted finish at the wrists and body edges. The main body is constructed using stockinette stitch, the most basic and versatile of knitting stitches, which creates a smooth, professional appearance. The pattern includes shaping techniques such as make 1 increases worked evenly across rows to add fullness and create the garment's silhouette. The skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) technique is used for decreasing, allowing for refined shaping at armholes and necklines.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) – The fundamental stitch forming the primary fabric texture
• Purl (p) – Used in combination with knit stitches to create the ribbed edging
• Ribbing (k2, p2) – A two-stitch alternating pattern creating the elastic cuffs and waistband
• Stockinette stitch (st st) – The main stitch structure for the body and sleeves, created by alternating rows of knit and purl
• Make 1 (m1) – An increase technique for adding stitches and shaping the garment
• Skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) – A left-leaning decrease used for refined shaping

Materials and Gauge

The Sports Luxe Top is designed to be worked in DK weight yarn, a lightweight yet substantial yarn that creates a refined drape ideal for a sports luxe aesthetic. The pattern specifies Sublime Tussah Silk, a luxury yarn combining natural silk fibers for a lustrous finish and elegant appearance. Two color shades are used: Mother of Pearl 261 (A) and Soba (B), allowing for color blocking or two-tone design possibilities. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 to 7 balls of shade A and 6 to 9 balls of shade B, with each ball weighing 50 grams.

The pattern is worked on 3.25mm (US 3) and 4mm (US 6) knitting needles. The smaller needles are used for the ribbed sections to maintain elasticity, while the larger needles accommodate the main stockinette stitch fabric. The tension (gauge) is 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters (4 inches) over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for ensuring the finished garment matches the intended measurements and drapes properly.

Construction Overview

The pattern begins with the back piece, cast on using the smaller needles and shade B. A ribbed cuff is worked by repeating knit 2, purl 2 rows to create an elastic edge. Stitches are increased evenly across a transition row before switching to the larger needles and beginning the stockinette stitch body. This structured approach makes the project manageable for beginner knitters while producing a polished, wearable garment with professional finishing.