MJ Crop

MJ Crop by Born & Raised Knits

What Is Being Made

The MJ Crop is a knitted top designed by Born & Raised Knits, featuring a fitted cropped silhouette. This garment showcases stranded colorwork throughout the yoke, combining a main color with a contrasting color for visual interest. The pattern includes a distinctive ruffled hem detail that adds texture and dimension to the finished piece. Available in nine sizes, the MJ Crop is designed to fit a range of body measurements, making it accessible to knitters of various proportions.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced techniques that elevate it beyond basic garment construction. Stranded knitting in the round is the primary colorwork method, allowing knitters to work with two colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension and creating intricate patterned sections. The yoke features a detailed chart-based design that guides the color placement. The ruffled hem technique adds decorative shaping to the lower edge, creating a textured, dimensional finish. Knitting in the round using circular needles ensures seamless construction, and the use of special stitch markers helps track pattern repeats and significant shaping points throughout the project.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The MJ Crop utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping decreases. Key stitches include:

• Knit (k) – the basic stitch forming the fabric
• Purl (p) – used in ribbed sections for texture and elasticity
• K2tog (knit 2 stitches together) – a decrease stitch that reduces stitch count for shaping
• 2x2 ribbing – an alternating knit-purl pattern (*k2, p2) that provides stretch and recovery, typically used at cuffs and hems

The pattern also references place marker (pm) and place special marker (psm) instructions, which help knitters track the beginning of rounds and important chart sections during colorwork.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The MJ Crop is designed to be worked in 4-ply yarn weight, a medium-weight yarn that creates a fabric with good drape and structure suitable for fitted garments. The pattern specifies Cat Sandwich Fibers Trustie Fingering yarn, with two colorways:

• Main Color (MC): Acai Tree – ranging from 390 to 840 yards depending on size
• Contrast Color (CC): Cardcaptor Sakura – ranging from 155 to 360 yards depending on size

Two needle sizes are required to achieve proper gauge and fabric characteristics. US Size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles in 24–32 inches (82–100 cm) are used for the main body and colorwork sections, while US Size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles in 16 inches (40 cm) are used for ribbed sections. The smaller needle size creates tighter ribbing that provides better elasticity and recovery. Additional notions include stitch markers, special stitch markers for chart tracking, and a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Sizing and Gauge

The pattern offers nine size options, providing flexibility for different body types. Proper gauge is essential for achieving the intended fit: the main fabric should measure 16 stitches and 9 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) when worked on US Size 4 needles with the specified yarn. Knitters should always swatch before beginning the project to ensure their personal gauge matches the pattern requirements, as even small variations can significantly affect the final garment dimensions.