Sailor Top

Sailor Top by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Sailor Top is a knitted pullover garment designed by Sian Brown, featuring a classic nautical-inspired aesthetic. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted top available in eight sizes ranging from 32 to 46 inches bust, with finished bust measurements from 37 to 52 inches. The garment includes a color-blocked design utilizing cream and blue yarns to achieve the sailor theme, with short sleeves measuring 7 inches in length and a finished length ranging from 23¼ to 26 inches depending on size.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The pattern uses ribbed edging to create structure and elasticity at the hem and cuffs. Stocking stitch forms the primary fabric construction, providing a smooth, professional finish. The pattern incorporates shaping techniques including increases distributed evenly across rows on specific sizes and decreases using the skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) method to achieve the fitted silhouette. Two-color knitting is utilized to create the sailor-inspired color blocking, requiring management of multiple yarn colors throughout the construction.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): The fundamental stitch forming the face of the stocking stitch fabric
• Purl stitch (p): Used in combination with knit stitches to create the ribbed edging pattern
• Stocking stitch (st st): The primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit and purl rows to produce a smooth, uniform surface
• Ribbed stitch: A 2x2 rib pattern (k2, p2 repeat) creates the elastic edging at the hem and sleeve cuffs
• Make 1 (m1): An increase technique used to add stitches for shaping
• Skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over): A left-leaning decrease used for fitted shaping

Materials

This pattern requires Debbie Bliss Amalfi yarn in DK weight. The main color is Shade Cream (012), with yardage requirements varying by size from 8 to 11 balls of 50 grams each. The contrasting color is Shade Blue (016), requiring 3 to 4 balls of 50 grams depending on size. Knitting needles include a pair of 3.75mm needles for the ribbed edging, a pair of 4mm needles for the main fabric construction, and a 3.75mm circular needle. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over a 10 x 10 centimeter swatch in stocking stitch using 4mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished garment dimensions.