Leaf Lace Top

Leaf Lace Top by Sian Brown

Garment Overview

The Leaf Lace Top is an intermediate-level knitted garment designed by independent designer Sian Brown. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted top with lace detailing, available in eight sizes ranging from 81 cm to 117 cm bust measurements (32 to 46 inches). The finished garment lengths range from 50 cm to 57 cm (19¾ to 22½ inches), making it suitable for various body proportions and preferences.

Construction Techniques

The Leaf Lace Top is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques combined with lace work. The pattern begins with a cast-on edge worked on smaller needles to create a neat, finished edge. The piece is then transitioned to larger needles for the main body, allowing for proper gauge and fabric drape. The construction method involves working flat in rows, beginning with the back piece and progressing through the pattern sections. The use of two different needle sizes—3.25mm and 4mm—creates definition at edges and transitions while maintaining the intended fabric density.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

This pattern employs several key knitting stitches to create its distinctive appearance. Stocking stitch forms the foundation of the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric surface. The lace detailing that gives this top its name is achieved through yarn forward (yf) and yarn back (yb) techniques combined with decreases. Knit stitches, including standard knit stitches and knit through the back loop (k1b) variations, are used throughout. Purl stitches create texture and structure. Slip stitches (sl1) are incorporated, often followed by pass slipped stitch over (psso) or slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) decreases, which are essential for shaping and creating the openwork lace pattern characteristic of leaf motifs.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Leaf Lace Top is designed to be knitted with Sublime Organic Cotton DK yarn in the colorway Yoghurt (0145). DK (double knitting) weight yarn is a medium-weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition, making it ideal for displaying lace patterns clearly. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 6 balls of 50 gm for smaller sizes up to 9 balls for the largest sizes. Organic cotton yarn offers breathability and a natural drape, making this top suitable for warm weather wear. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows over a 10 cm by 10 cm swatch worked in stocking stitch on 4mm needles, ensuring proper fit across all sizes.

Needles and Tools

Two pairs of needles are required to complete this project. A pair of 3.25mm needles is used for the ribbed or garter stitch edges and transitions, creating a tighter gauge that produces neat, defined edges. A pair of 4mm needles is used for the main body of the garment, worked in stocking stitch and lace patterns at the specified tension. The size difference between needle pairs is a standard technique in knitting that allows designers to create structured edges while maintaining appropriate fabric weight and drape in the body of the garment.

Difficulty Level and Skill Requirements

Rated as an intermediate-level pattern, the Leaf Lace Top requires knitters to be comfortable with fundamental knitting techniques and ready to progress to lace work. Knitters should be proficient with cast-on methods, basic stitch work, and the ability to read pattern abbreviations and follow row-by-row instructions. The lace elements—particularly the yarn forward and decrease combinations that create the leaf motifs—require attention to stitch placement and pattern repeats. Intermediate knitters will find this pattern an excellent opportunity to develop lace-knitting skills while creating a wearable, finished garment.