Windley

Windley Top by Angela Hahn

What is Being Made

Windley is a knitted top designed by Angela Hahn, offered as a downloadable PDF pattern. This garment is a fitted, top-down construction piece available in seven sizes ranging from 29 ½ inches to 51 ¼ inches bust circumference (75 to 130 cm). The finished length varies from approximately 23 inches to 25 inches (58.5 to 63.5 cm), making it suitable for a range of body types and proportions. The pattern is intended to be worn with 1 to 3 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, close-fitting silhouette.

Construction Technique

Windley employs a classic top-down raglan construction method, which allows for seamless shaping and the ability to try on the garment as you work. The pattern begins with a cast-on at the neckline and is worked in the round from the yoke downward. The yoke section features raglan shaping, which creates diagonal decreases from the neckline to the armholes. This technique produces the characteristic sloped shoulder line typical of raglan sleeves.

The construction sequence follows a logical progression: first, the yoke is worked with raglan shaping until the armholes are reached. At this point, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold, and the body is worked separately down to the lower edge. Finally, the sleeves are picked up from the held stitches and worked downward to the hem. This method eliminates the need for seaming and allows for adjustments in sleeve length if desired.

The pattern notes that cast-on and bound-off edges roll slightly; measurements provided are taken with these edges unrolled to ensure accuracy when comparing finished dimensions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Windley pattern incorporates a Lace Pattern as a central design element. This lace motif is worked into the yoke section, adding visual interest and texture to the top. The lace pattern is worked in the round using standard knitting techniques, with yarn overs and decreases creating the characteristic openwork design. The pattern is worked until complete before continuing with additional shaping.

The yoke setup includes marker placement to define different sections, with specific stitch counts for each size. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and techniques including:

• Knit stitches (K)
• Yarn overs for lace creation
• Decreases for raglan shaping
• Stitch markers (pm) for pattern management
• Working in the round (rnd)

Materials and Yarn Weight

Windley is designed to be worked in 4-ply or DK weight yarn, which produces a lightweight, drapey fabric ideal for a fitted top. These yarn weights are versatile and work well for garments requiring both stitch definition and comfortable wear. The pattern includes yardage and specific yarn recommendations in the full PDF, though the exact quantities are not visible in the provided excerpt.

Knitters will need appropriate needles for their chosen yarn weight—typically US 4–6 (3.5–4 mm) needles for DK or 4-ply yarn—along with a circular needle for working in the round and double-pointed needles or a second circular needle for sleeve work. Stitch markers are essential for tracking the raglan shaping and lace pattern sections.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The intermediate classification reflects the combination of top-down raglan construction, lace pattern work, and the need to manage multiple stitch sections simultaneously. Knitters should be comfortable with working in the round, reading lace charts, managing stitch markers, and understanding raglan shaping principles before beginning this project.