Top Skirt Pants

Top, Skirt & Pants by Jo Sharp in Soho Summer DK Cotton

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern provides instructions for three coordinating garments: a fitted top with decorative frilled edging at the neckline, a lacy pencil skirt, and long hipster pants. The collection is designed as a versatile summer wardrobe set using lightweight DK weight cotton yarn, offering multiple pieces that can be worn together or separately.

Garment Details

Top

The top features a classic fitted silhouette designed to fit the body comfortably. The neckline is finished with frilled edging for a decorative touch. The pattern is worked from the front and includes shaping techniques to create the fitted shape. The top is available in four sizes (A, B, C, and D) to accommodate different bust measurements.

Skirt

The skirt is designed as a lacy pencil style, offering a sleek, form-fitting cut. The pattern requires making two pieces that are constructed separately before assembly.

Pants

The long hipster pants complete the three-piece collection, providing a comfortable yet tailored fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Ribbing: The pattern begins with K2, P2 (knit 2, purl 2) ribbing, a classic technique that creates elasticity and a neat finished edge
• Decreasing: K2tog (knit 2 together) decreases are used throughout to shape the garment and create fitted sections
• Casting off: Strategic cast-off techniques are employed to finish edges and create shaping, including casting off groups of stitches to form neckline and armhole openings
• Wrap techniques: The pattern uses wrap stitches, where yarn is wrapped around the needle and worked together with existing stitches for seamless shaping
• Lace work: The skirt incorporates lacy stitch patterns characteristic of open, decorative knitting
• Picking up stitches: Stitches are picked up through the back of loops to create clean joins and transitions between sections

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch creating the fabric base
• Purl (P): Used in ribbing and textural variations
• K2tog (knit 2 together): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Ribbing (K2, P2): An elastic stitch pattern used for edges and cuffs
• Lace stitches: Open stitch patterns that create the decorative lacy effect on the skirt

Materials

This pattern uses Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton, a lightweight DK weight yarn available in multiple colors. The yarn is supplied in 50-gram balls. The pattern is worked on 3.25mm needles, which is the standard needle size for DK weight yarn. The cotton fiber provides breathability and structure ideal for summer garments, while the DK weight offers a balance between drape and definition for fitted pieces.

Skill Level

While the pattern notes suitability for intermediate knitters, the individual components use fundamental knitting techniques. The beginner difficulty rating indicates that knitters new to the craft can approach this project, though familiarity with basic shaping techniques and reading pattern instructions is beneficial. The combination of ribbing, decreasing, and lace work provides an excellent progression for developing knitting skills.

Sizing

The pattern is offered in four sizes (A, B, C, and D) with measurements provided in inches. The top is designed to fit various bust measurements, with the garments scaled proportionally across all three pieces to create a coordinated set.