Top with Bow in BC Garn Alba - 2233BC - Downloadable PDF

Top with Bow in BC Garn Alba – Pattern Summary (No. 2233BC)

This is a free, downloadable knitting pattern designed by Lene Holme Samsøe and published by BC Garn ApS as pattern number 2233BC. It produces a fitted, feminine knitted top distinguished by a decorative bow detail, worked in the lightweight BC Garn Alba yarn. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping, tension management, and working in the round.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a knitted top available in four sizes: S, M, L, and XL, with corresponding bust measurements of 85, 92, 100, and 108 cm. The finished length ranges from approximately 56 cm (S) to 59 cm (XL). The top features a classic silhouette with structured shaping and is elevated by a charming bow accent worked in a contrasting colour. The two-colour combination — aqua (eb10) as the main colour and coral (eb06) as the contrast colour — gives the design a fresh, contemporary feel well suited to warm-weather or layered styling.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for BC Garn Alba, a 4-ply weight yarn from BC Garn ApS. Alba is a fine, lightweight yarn ideal for delicate, drapey knitwear. The quantities required depend on size:

• Main colour eb10 (aqua): 200 g (S), 250 g (M), 250 g (L), 300 g (XL)
• Contrast colour eb06 (coral): 50 g (S), 50 g (M), 100 g (L), 100 g (XL)

Two sizes of circular needles (80 cm length) are required: 2.5 mm and 3 mm. The smaller needle is used for the initial cast-on and ribbing or hem sections, while the larger needle is used for the main body fabric.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this garment to match the stated finished measurements. The pattern specifies a tension of 26 stitches × 34 rows = 10 × 10 cm worked in Stocking stitch (stockinette) on 3 mm needles. Because Alba is a fine 4-ply yarn, even small deviations in tension can significantly affect the fit, so knitters are encouraged to swatch carefully before beginning.

Construction and Techniques

The top is constructed with separate back and front pieces. Construction begins by casting on a generous number of stitches — ranging from 220 sts (S) to 280 sts (XL) — using the 2.5 mm circular needle in the main colour eb10 (aqua). The piece opens with 10 rounds worked in Stocking stitch, followed by a single row of Reversed Stocking stitch to create a neat folded hem or turning ridge. This is a classic technique for producing a clean, professional hem finish without a visible cast-on edge on the right side of the fabric.

After the hem, the work continues in Stocking stitch on the larger 3 mm needle in the main colour, with the first and last 3 stitches of every row knitted to create tidy selvedge edges. Shaping is incorporated through decreases worked at regular intervals to sculpt the body of the top. The pattern makes use of specific decrease techniques to ensure clean, directional shaping.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (St st) – knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side; forms the smooth main fabric of the top
• Reversed Stocking stitch (Rev St st) – purl on the right side, knit on the wrong side; used to create the fold line for the hem
• Garter selvedge – knitting the first and last 3 stitches of every row to