Twilight Top in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Twilight Top in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Cotton – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Twilight Top is a beautifully understated knitted top designed by Quail Studio and published as part of the MODE at Rowan collection. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated as beginner level, making it an ideal project for those who are relatively new to garment knitting but ready to move beyond simple accessories. The design is photographed in Snowflake 014, a crisp, clean colourway that highlights the textural interplay of the stitch patterns used throughout the top.

What Is Being Made

The Twilight Top is a classic, wearable knitted top designed to fit a wide range of bust sizes, from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), with nine size options in total. The actual garment bust measurements range from 81 cm (32 in) at the smallest to 159 cm (62½ in) at the largest, offering generous positive ease across all sizes. The construction features both a back and front worked alike, simplifying the knitting process and making it particularly approachable for beginner garment knitters. A neckband is worked on circular needles to finish the neckline neatly.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – the main body pieces are worked flat on straight needles, back and forth in rows
• Circular knitting – used specifically for the neckband, worked in the round on circular needles
• Armhole shaping – decreases are worked on alternate rows and then on every 4th row to shape the armholes cleanly
• Casting on and shaping – the pattern includes structured cast-on instructions and shaping sequences typical of a fitted top
• Stitch holder usage – stitches are placed on holders at key construction points, a standard technique in garment knitting for managing live stitches during seaming or neckline finishing
• Tension/gauge swatching – two separate tension measurements are given, one over stocking stitch and one over double moss stitch, making it important for knitters to swatch in both before beginning

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the classic knit-on-right-side, purl-on-wrong-side fabric that forms the smooth, foundational sections of the top
• Double moss stitch – a textured stitch pattern created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence across multiple rows, producing a richly tactile, reversible fabric with a subtle checked or seed-like appearance; this stitch adds visual interest and structure to the design

The combination of stocking stitch and double moss stitch within a single garment is a hallmark of thoughtful, design-led knitwear. Double moss stitch, sometimes called Irish moss stitch, lies flatter than seed stitch and creates a denser, more defined texture, which contrasts beautifully with the smooth drape of stocking stitch sections.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

Yarn

• Yarn: MODE at Rowan Alpaca Cotton, a DK weight yarn sold in 25 g balls
• Quantity required: ranges from 4 balls for the smallest size up to 8 balls for the largest size
• Colourway shown: Snowflake 014
• The Alpaca Cotton blend is characteristic of the MODE at Rowan range, combining the soft halo and warmth of alpaca with the breathability and stitch definition of cotton – a pairing that makes it well suited to a top intended for transitional or layering wear

Needles

• 1 pair 3.75 mm (UK no. 9 / US 5) straight needles for the main body pieces
• 3.75