Bamboo Shell

Bamboo Shell Knit Top by Cheryl Andrews

What Is Being Made

The Bamboo Shell is a women's sleeveless knit top designed for warm weather wear. This versatile piece functions as a standalone summer garment or as a layering piece under blazers and jackets. The shell is available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large—with finished chest measurements ranging from 28–36 inches (Small) to 42–50 inches (Extra Large) and finished lengths from 23 to 26 inches measured from the top of the shoulder to the bottom edge. The ribbed and stretchy construction means the shell looks best with negative ease, allowing the fabric to hug the body comfortably while the vertical texture creates a slimming visual effect.

Design Features and Construction

The Bamboo Shell showcases an all-over bamboo stem texture that runs vertically across the entire garment, providing both visual interest and a flattering silhouette. Side gussets are incorporated into the design to provide shaping at the hips and bust, ensuring a tailored fit. One of the most distinctive construction details is the I-cord edging that frames the armholes and neckline. Rather than being attached as a finishing step, this I-cord is created as an integral part of the knitting process, eliminating the need for separate finishing work and ensuring a seamless, professional appearance.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The primary stitch pattern is the bamboo stem texture, which creates the vertical lines throughout the garment. Ribbing is used extensively, particularly in the body of the shell, contributing to the stretchy, form-fitting quality of the finished piece. The I-cord edging technique is worked directly into the knitting rather than applied afterward, demonstrating intermediate-level skill in managing multiple construction methods simultaneously. The pattern requires working with both circular needles and double-pointed needles, and stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and shaping increases or decreases.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Bamboo Shell is designed to be knit in worsted weight yarn. Yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires approximately 500 yards, Medium approximately 580 yards, Large approximately 670 yards, and Extra Large approximately 770 yards. The pattern suggests several specific yarn options, including Plymouth Jeannee (the yarn used for the sample garment), Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, Cascade Sierra, Hobby Lobby I Love this Cotton, and Jil Eaton Cottontail. These recommendations indicate that cotton or cotton-blend yarns are ideal for this summer shell, offering breathability and drape suitable for warm-weather wear.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for size 8 circular needles in 24–29 inch length for the main body of the shell, along with size 8 double-pointed needles for working smaller circumferences such as the neckline and armhole edgings. Four stitch markers are required to track pattern sections and shaping. Additionally, one yard of waste yarn in the same weight or lighter is needed for the provisional cast-on method and to serve as a stitch holder during construction. This combination of tools supports the intermediate-level techniques employed throughout the project.