Greenbay Top in Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply - RM004-00009-UK - Downloadable PDF

Greenbay Top by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Greenbay Top is a knitted garment designed by Lisa Richardson for Rowan. This intermediate-level pullover top features an all-over lace and cable pattern, available in five size options to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches). The finished garment measurements span from 95.5 cm (37½ inches) to 135.5 cm (53¼ inches) in actual bust width, providing a comfortable fit across a range of body types.

Techniques Used

This design employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture. The primary construction method involves working a 32-row repeat pattern that combines lace motifs with cable details. Lace stitching is achieved through yarn forward decreases (yfwd and K2tog combinations), which create openwork sections throughout the garment. Cable techniques are incorporated using the C4B (cable 4 back) stitch, which adds dimensional texture to the design. The pattern requires maintaining stitch accuracy across multiple repeating sections, making it suitable for knitters with intermediate experience who are comfortable tracking complex stitch sequences.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – The foundational stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P) – Used selectively within the pattern repeat for textural contrast
• Yarn Forward (yfwd) – Creates decorative eyelets and lace openings
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease paired with yarn forwards to form lace patterns
• Knit Two Together Through Back Loop (K2tog tbl) – Implied in the pattern structure for left-leaning decreases
• Cable 4 Back (C4B) – A four-stitch cable that twists stitches to create raised, twisted texture

Pattern Structure

The Greenbay Top is constructed using a 32-row repeat pattern that alternates between lace sections and cable rows. Rows 1 through 4 establish the base pattern, which is then repeated twice in rows 5 through 24. Rows 25 through 32 introduce the cable element (C4B) within the lace framework, creating a balanced design that combines openwork with dimensional texture. The pattern instructions specify working straight after the initial pattern setup until the back piece reaches 16 cm in length, indicating a top-down or flat construction method.

Materials

Yarn: Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply is the specified yarn for this project. This is a lightweight, four-ply yarn suitable for creating delicate, breathable garments. The pattern requires 4 to 6 balls of 50-gram weight depending on size selection, with the photographed sample shown in the colorways Green Bay 445 and Ecru 436.

Needles: The pattern references needles appropriate for 4-ply yarn weight, though specific needle size is not visible in the provided excerpt. Knitters should consult the complete pattern instructions for exact needle gauge and size recommendations to achieve proper fabric drape and stitch definition in the lace and cable sections.

Skill Level

Listed as Skill Level 3, this pattern is classified as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle more complex stitch combinations, pattern tracking, and techniques such as cables and lace.