Aliso Creek Top

Aliso Creek Top by Irina Anikeeva

What is Being Made

The Aliso Creek Top is a women's pullover sweater designed by Irina Anikeeva. This downloadable knitting pattern is available in eight sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust circumferences from 35 inches (87.5 cm) to 62 inches (155 cm). The garment is intended to be worn with 2 to 6 inches of positive ease, making it a comfortable, relaxed-fit top suitable for various body types and styling preferences.

Construction Method

The Aliso Creek Top is worked in one piece from the top down, featuring round yoke shaping. This top-down construction method allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and easily adjust the length to their preference. The pullover design eliminates the need for seaming multiple pieces together, resulting in a seamless, unified garment.

Techniques Used

• Crochet Chain Provisional Cast On: The pattern employs a provisional cast-on method using a crochet hook, which allows stitches to be easily picked up later for finishing or adjustments.
• Wrap and Turn Short Rows: Short-row shaping is used to raise the back neck, creating a custom fit at the neckline. The wrap and turn method is the primary technique specified, though the pattern notes that knitters may substitute alternative short-row methods if preferred.
• Round Yoke Shaping: The top-down construction includes yoke decreases worked in the round, creating a fitted shoulder and upper chest area that gradually widens toward the bust.
• Chart-Based Stitch Patterns: The pattern includes stitch charts, and knitters are encouraged to place stitch markers between chart repeats to track pattern sections accurately.

Stitches Used

Stockinette Stitch is the primary stitch used throughout the Aliso Creek Top. This fundamental knit stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. The pattern is worked in Stockinette Stitch on US 4/3.5 mm needles.

Yarn and Materials

The Aliso Creek Top is designed for sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category that creates a fabric with excellent drape and breathability. The pattern requires approximately 750 grams of yarn for size XS, increasing to approximately 850 grams for larger sizes, though the full yardage information is provided in the complete pattern.

Needles and Notions Required:

• US 4/3.5 mm knitting needles (for working Stockinette Stitch)
• Crochet Hook E/3.5 mm (for the provisional cast-on method)
• Stitch markers (for tracking pattern repeats and shaping)
• Waste yarn (for holding stitches during construction)
• Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends and finishing)

Skill Level and Gauge

The Aliso Creek Top is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable with techniques such as top-down construction, short-row shaping, and working in the round. The pattern requires a gauge of 23 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch on US 4/3.5 mm needles after blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements.