Campbell

Campbell Crop Top by Nyklknits

What Is Being Made

The Campbell is a beginner-friendly crop top designed for knitters seeking a colorwork project with a fitted, modern silhouette. This downloadable knitting pattern produces a cropped garment available in multiple sizes ranging from 28 inches to 60 inches in circumference, making it adaptable for various body types and fit preferences.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using the knitting craft method. The Campbell employs in-the-round knitting construction, which creates a seamless, tubular garment from the bottom up. This technique eliminates the need for seaming and provides a smooth, professional finish typical of modern knitwear design. The pattern incorporates colorwork elements, allowing knitters to introduce visual interest through strategic color changes throughout the piece.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Campbell utilizes fundamental knitting stitches suitable for beginner-level crafters:

• Knit stitch (K) — the primary stitch forming the main fabric body
• Purl stitch (P) — used in combination with knit stitches to create textural variation
• Ribbing pattern [K1P1] — applied in rounds 1-10 at the garment's lower edge to create an elastic, fitted cuff
• Stockinette stitch — the smooth, flat fabric created by knitting in the round throughout the main body sections (rounds 11-40 and 48-70)
• Colorwork integration — two-color stranded knitting incorporated through charted rounds (41-47 and beyond), where stitches are worked in either the main color (c1) or secondary color (c2) following a specific pattern repeat

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Campbell is designed for DK weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category ideal for creating garments with drape and definition. Yardage requirements vary by finished size:

• Main color: 160–400 yards, depending on the selected size
• Secondary color: 60–80 yards for colorwork elements
• Fiber content: Coboo cotton, a sustainable blend combining the softness of cotton with the properties of bamboo viscose, offering breathability and comfort suitable for a crop top

Tools and Gauge

The pattern calls for size 6 knitting needles (US sizing), appropriate for working DK weight yarn. The gauge is 18 stitches and 30 rows per 4 inches, which is critical for achieving the correct finished measurements. Knitters should always swatch and measure gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper fit across all size options.

Size Range and Fit

The Campbell accommodates a comprehensive range of finished circumferences, from 28 inches to 60 inches, with corresponding stitch counts ranging from 126 stitches (smallest size) to 270 stitches (largest size). This extensive sizing allows the pattern to serve knitters of all body types, from petite to plus-size garments.

Pattern Structure

The garment is constructed in distinct sections: an elastic ribbed cuff (rounds 1-10), a main stockinette body with integrated colorwork charts (rounds 11-70+), and strategic color-change rounds that create visual patterning. The repeat structure allows for customization and potential length adjustments based on individual preferences.