Woman's Split Front Tops in Sirdar Cotton DK - 8120 - Downloadable PDF

Woman's Split Front Tops in Sirdar Cotton DK – Pattern 8120

Pattern 8120 from Sirdar is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern for a Woman's Split Front Top, available as a downloadable PDF. Designed with accessibility in mind under Sirdar's Easy Knit label, this pattern is an excellent choice for newer knitters looking to create a stylish, wearable garment without complex construction. The pattern includes two distinct design variations: a Top with Turnback Sleeves and a Top with Plain Sleeves, giving knitters a choice of finish to suit their personal style.

Designs Included

Top with Turnback Sleeves

This variation features short sleeves designed to be folded back into a neat turnback cuff, adding a casual yet polished detail to the finished top. It is knitted in Sirdar Cotton DK shade 541. The turnback cuff is a simple but effective design feature that adds visual interest without requiring advanced techniques, making it ideal for beginner knitters who want a little extra detail in their finished project.

Top with Plain Sleeves

The second variation offers a clean, unfussy silhouette with plain short sleeves for a more streamlined look. This version is knitted in Sirdar Cotton DK shade 526. The plain sleeve finish keeps the construction straightforward and is a great option for those who prefer a minimal, contemporary aesthetic.

Design Features

Both tops share the same fundamental construction and shaping, with the defining characteristic being the split front detail — an open hem split at the front of the garment that adds ease of movement and a relaxed, modern silhouette. This feature is particularly flattering and practical, lending the tops a casual elegance suitable for everyday wear.

The sleeve length is listed as approximately 13 cm (5¼ in) across all sizes and is noted as adjustable, allowing knitters to customise the fit to their preference. The full garment length, measured from the back of the neck, ranges from 55 cm to 68 cm (21¾ in to 26¾ in) depending on the size knitted.

Sizing and Fit

This pattern is notable for its inclusive size range, covering bust measurements from 81/86 cm to 132/137 cm (32/34 in to 52/54 in) across six sizes. The actual finished garment measurements range from 94 cm to 145 cm (37 in to 57¼ in), providing a comfortable, relaxed fit with positive ease. The inclusion of larger sizes reflects Sirdar's commitment to making fashionable knitwear accessible to a wide range of knitters and wearers.

Techniques and Stitches

As an Easy Knit pattern, the construction relies on fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. Typical techniques used in this style of Sirdar top include:

• Knit and purl stitches forming the main fabric
• Ribbing commonly used at hems, cuffs, and necklines for stretch and neat edges
• Basic shaping through increases and decreases for armhole and sleeve construction
• Seaming to join front, back, and sleeve pieces
• Turnback cuff construction on the Turnback Sleeve variation, achieved by knitting an extended sleeve hem that folds back on itself

The split front detail is typically achieved through straightforward separate working of the front sections rather than complex techniques, keeping the pattern well within beginner reach.

Materials and Yarn

Both tops are designed to be knitted in Sirdar Cotton DK (F039), a DK weight yarn that is well suited to warm-weather garments thanks to its breathable cotton content. The yarn is sold in 100g balls, with the pattern requiring between 5 and 8 balls depending on the size and variation being knitted.

The pattern also notes compatibility with a wide range of other Sirdar DK yarns, including Country Style DK, Crofter DK, Soukie DK, Beachcomber DK