Tops in King Cole Cottonsoft Dk - 4344 - Downloadable PDF

Pattern Summary: Tops in King Cole Cottonsoft DK – Pattern 4344

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole presents a collection of tops knitted in King Cole Cottonsoft DK yarn. The pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty and covers a generous size range of 81–117 cm (32–46 in), making it accessible to a wide range of knitters. A donation to the Pink Ribbon Foundation is made with every King Cole pattern purchased.

Garments Included

Capped Sleeve Top

One of the featured designs in this pattern is a Capped Sleeve Top, a stylish and wearable knitted garment ideal for warmer months or layering. The top is worked in a classic, clean silhouette with neat finishing details at the armholes and neckline, making it a versatile addition to any handknitted wardrobe.

Construction and Shaping

The Capped Sleeve Top is constructed in separate pieces — back, front, and finishing bands — which are then seamed together. The back is cast on with 94 to 134 stitches depending on size, using 3.75mm (US5) needles for the border sections and 4mm (US6) needles for the main body. Shaping is worked at the neckline with decreases on specified rows, and centre stitches are placed on a holder (thread) to allow for neat neckband construction. Shoulder seams are joined before the neckband and armhole bands are picked up and worked.

• Armhole Bands: Stitches are picked up evenly between markers at a rate of approximately 5 stitches from every 6 rows, then worked in garter stitch for 4 rows before casting off knitwise.
• Neckband: With right side facing, stitches are picked up evenly around the neckline and worked in garter stitch for 4 rows, creating a tidy, flat edging that lies neatly against the skin.
• Neck Shaping: Centre stitches are slipped onto a thread and held, with decreases worked at the neck edge over the following 2 rows to create a smooth, shaped neckline.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This pattern draws on a selection of classic knitting stitches and techniques that are well within reach of an intermediate knitter. Understanding each stitch type helps ensure a polished finished garment.

Stocking Stitch (St-St)

Stocking stitch forms the main fabric of the top. It is worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, creating a smooth, flat surface on the right side and a textured, ridged surface on the reverse. This is the most commonly used stitch in garment knitting and produces a neat, professional fabric ideal for fitted tops.

Reversed Stocking Stitch (Rev St-St)

Reversed stocking stitch is the mirror image of standard stocking stitch — the purl side is used as the right side of the fabric. It is worked by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows, giving a softer, more textured appearance to the fabric surface.

Garter Stitch (G-st)

Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, producing a ridged, reversible fabric with a slightly elastic quality. In this pattern, garter stitch is used for the armhole bands and neckband, providing a neat, stable border that does not curl at the edges — a practical and attractive finishing choice for cotton garments.

Key Techniques

• Picking up stitches along armhole and neckline edges for neat, integrated bands
• Decreasing (dec) at neck edges to shape the neckline smoothly
• Slipping stitches onto a thread holder to keep centre neck stitches live for later finishing
• Casting off knitwise for a clean, firm edge on bands
• Tension matching — the pattern specifies 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm (4in)