Earlier this summer I was looking at my wardrobe and seeing what I needed (really wanted) to wear. Last summer I sewed several dresses that I love wearing, however they are sleeveless. Since they are sleeveless I would get cold in some of the places that were really airconditioned, and I don’t want to wear a jacket or sweater in summer. I get to wear them plenty in our Michigan winter.
So, the idea for this top came to me for adding a little more coverage and warmth for the airconditioned places. I wanted something light weight, but not so light it was see through. I also wanted something that had some design to it, but not a statement piece. Just something that was easy to wear, went with a lot, and was comfortable.
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With this design the bottom edging has a nice lace detail that makes this top a nice little design, but isn’t too over patterned to be dramatic. The shoulders and sleeves give enough coverage without being too heavy. I have found that I wear this little knit top more than I thought. From over dresses, to with shorts and capris. As the weather cools I will be wearing it with leggings or jeans, and then adding another layer to keep me warmer as it gets cooler. I call it a win-win for versatility – versatile to wear many ways and in many seasons.
The yarn is Bernat Softee Baby Cotton and is 60% cotton and 40% acrylic. I found it really easy to work with. It has just enough weight for a summer garment, but isn’t bulky or too warm. Also, with the acrylic it has a nice hand and drape compared to some of the 100% cotton yarns.
The Summer in the City Top, a great addition to any wardrobe. I hope you also enjoy making this pattern, and wearing it as much as I do. I also think it may become my Anytime in the City Top with how often I wear it and how versatile it is.
Knit Summer in the City Top
Get the printable PDF version of the pattern (without ads) HERE
Add it to your Ravelry queue HERE
See the machine knitting instructions HERE
Bernat Softee Baby Cotton – 4.2oz/120g – 254 yd/232m – 60% Cotton/40% Acrylic – Category 3 Light Yarn – 3 (3, 3, 4) 4, 4 [5, 5 ,5] skeins. Get the yarn HERE
Suggested yarns for substitution: Bernat Softee Cotton, Premier Yarns Cotton Fair, Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK, Hobbii Acacia, Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Jeans, Knit Picks Memento
Sizes: XS (S, M, L) XL, 2X [3X, 4X, 5X]
Finished garment bust circumference: 36 (39, 42 ½, 45 ½) 49, 55 [58 ½, 61 ½, 68] inches
Finished garment length: 21 (21 ¼, 21 ¾, 22 ¼) 22 ¼, 22 ¾ [22 ¾, 23 ¼, 23 ¼] inches
Gauge: 4” x 4” = 20 sts x 24 rows stockinette
Knitting Needles Size 7 (4.5mm)
Crochet Hook G (4 ¼ mm) (optional for bind off)
Notes:
A YouTube video showing from cast on to bind off; along with step by step how to do the decorative pattern, wrapped short rows, the method used for the sloped shoulders, and more information about the sweater construction can be found at https://youtu.be/qYUsA7YlSOs
Acronyms:
RS = right side of fabric facing you
WS = wrong side of fabric facing you
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
cdc = center double decrease
Front:
Set up for a long tail cast on, holding double strand of yarn on the tail around your thumb (what will be the base of the stitches). Cast on 90 (98, 106, 114) 122, 138 [146, 154, 170] stitches.
RS: Knit the first stitch, repeat the pattern chart below starting at the bottom of the chart. Repeat until one stitch remains. Knit the last stitch.
Continue working the pattern, knit the first and last stitch of the RS rows.
Work in stockinette until garment measures from the cast on edge 12 ¼ (12, 12, 12) 11, 10 [9, 9, 8 ½] inches, ending after a WS row.
For sizes XS to L : place markers for sleeve
For sizes XL, 2X [3X, 4X, 5X] :
Bind off 1, 2 [3, 4, 4] sts at the beginning of the row, knit the remainder.
Repeat 1 bind off one more time working the remainder of the row in purl stitch.
For sizes 2X [3X, 4X, 5X] :
Bind off 1 [2, 2, 2] sts at the beginning of the row, knit the remainder.
Repeat 1 [1, 1, 3] more times working the remainder of the row in appropriate stitch for stockinette.
For sizes [3X, 4X, 5X] :
Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the row, knit the remainder.
Repeat [1, 1, 3] more times working the remainder of the row in appropriate stitch for stockinette.
All sizes : 90 (98, 106, 114) 120, 132 [134, 140, 150] stitches in work.
Work in stockinette until there is 3 ¾ (4 ½, 4 ¼, 4 ¾) 5 ¼, 5 ¾ [6 ½, 7, 7 ¼] inches measured after sleeve marking or end of armhole bind offs, ending after a WS row.
Begin neck short rows.
Knit 42 (46, 50, 54) 57, 63 [64, 67, 72] stitches. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and purl the row.
*Knit next row leaving two more stitches unworked at end of the row. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and purl the row.* Work * to * for a total of 5 (5, 6, 6) 6, 7 [7, 7, 7] times and 32 (36, 38, 42) 45, 49 [50, 53, 58] stitches worked.
Size (L) XL, 2X [3X, 4X, 5X] :
*Knit next row leaving one more stitch unworked. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and purl the row.* Work from * to * for a total of (1) 2, 2 [2, 2, 2] times total. (41) 43, 47 [48, 51, 56] stitches left being worked without wraps for shoulder.
All Sizes:
Bind off 2 (2, 2, 1) 1, 1 [1, 1, 1] stitches. Knit row leaving one more stitch unworked. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and purl the row until two stitches remain, p2tog.
*Bind off 2 (2, 2, 3) 3, 3 [3, 3, 3] stitches. Knit row leaving one more stitch unworked. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and purl the row until two stitches remain, p2tog.* Work from * to * for a total of 5 (5, 4, 5) 5, 4 [4, 4, 4] times total. 9 (13, 19, 14) 16, 25 [26, 29, 34] stitches left in work for shoulder.
*Bind off 2 (2, 2, 3) 3, 3 [3, 3, 3] stitches. Knit row stopping before the stitch with yarn wrapped around it. Turn and purl the row until two stitches remain, p2tog.* Work from * to * for a total of 1 (1, 2, 1) 1, 2 [2, 2, 2] times total. 6 (10, 13, 10) 12, 17 [18, 21, 26] stitches left being worked.
Bind off 3 stitches shoulder slope. Knit the remaining 3 (7, 10, 7) 9, 14 [15, 18, 23] stitches. Purl the next row until two stitches remain, p2tog.
Bind off the stitches just worked.
To work left shoulder, transfer stitches to begin purling other shoulder side. Purl 42 (46, 50, 54) 57, 63 [64, 67, 72] stitches. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and knit the row.
*Purl next row leaving two more stitches unworked. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and knit the row.* Work * to * for a total of 5 (5, 6, 6) 6, 7 [7, 7, 7] times and 32 (36, 38, 42) 45, 49 [50, 53, 58] stitches left in work for the shoulder.
Size (L) XL, 2X [3X, 4X, 5X] :
*Purl next row leaving one more stitch unworked. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and knit the row.* Work from * to * for a total of (1) 2, 2 [2, 2, 2] times total. (41) 43, 47 [48, 51, 56] stitches left in work for the shoulder.
All Sizes:
Bind off 2 (2, 2, 1) 1, 1 [1, 1, 1] stitches. Purl row leaving one more stitch unworked. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and knit the row until two stitches remain, k2tog.
*Bind off 2 (2, 2, 3) 3, 3 [3, 3, 3] stitches. Purl row leaving one more stitch unworked. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and knit the row until two stitches remain, k2tog.* Work from * to * for a total of 5 (5, 4, 5) 5, 4 [4, 4, 4] times total. 9 (13, 19, 14) 16, 25 [26, 29, 34] stitches left in work for shoulder.
*Bind off 2 (2, 2, 3) 3, 3 [3, 3, 3] stitches. Purl row stopping before the stitch with yarn wrapped around it. Turn and knit the row until two stitches remain, k2tog.* Work from * to * for a total of 1 (1, 2, 1) 1, 2 [2, 2, 2] times total. 6 (10, 13, 10) 12, 17 [18, 21, 26] stitches left in work for shoulder.
Bind off 3 stitches shoulder slope. Purl the remaining 3 (7, 10, 7) 9, 14 [15, 18, 23] stitches. Knit the next row until two stitches remain, k2tog.
Bind off the stitches just worked.
Neck edging:
Working on RS of work; pick up 4 (4, 6, 4) 4, 6 [6, 6, 6] stitches on bound off neck edge, knit the remaining live stitches while picking up the wrapped yarn to knit together with the stitch it wrapped, and pick up 4 (4, 6, 4) 4, 6 [6, 6, 6] stitches on other bound off neck edge.
Work 2 rows of reverse stockinette.
With a crochet hook, loosely crochet the stitches off with a slip stitch.
Back:
Set up for a long tail cast on, holding double strand of yarn on the tail around your thumb (what will be the base of the stitches). Cast on 90 (98, 106, 114) 122, 138 [146, 154, 170] stitches.
RS: Knit the first stitch, repeat the pattern chart below starting at the bottom of the chart. Repeat until one stitch remains. Knit the last stitch.
Continue working the pattern, knit the first and last stitch of the RS rows.
Work in stockinette until garment measures from the cast on edge 12 1/4 (12, 12, 12) 11, 10 [9, 9, 8 ½] inches, ending after a WS row.
For sizes XS to L : place markers for sleeve
For sizes XL, 2X [3X, 4X, 5X] :
Bind off 1, 2 [3, 4, 4] sts at the beginning of the row, knit the remainder.
Repeat 1 more time working the remainder of the row in appropriate stitch.
For sizes 2X [3X, 4X, 5X] :
Bind off 1 [2, 2, 2] sts at the beginning of the row, knit the remainder.
Repeat 1 [1, 1, 3] more times working the remainder of the row in appropriate stitch.
For sizes [3X, 4X, 5X] :
Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the row, knit the remainder.
Repeat [1, 1, 3] more times working the remainder of the row in appropriate stitch.
All sizes : 90 (98, 106, 114) 120, 132 [134, 140, 150] stitches left in work. Work in stockinette until there is 5 ¾ (6 ½, 6 ½, 7 ½) 8 ¼, 9 [9 ¾, 10 ½, 10 ½] inches measured after sleeve marking or end of armhole bind offs, ending after a WS row.
Bind off 2 (2, 2, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1, 1] stitches and knit rest of the row until two stitches remain, k2tog. Bind off 2 (2, 2, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1, 1] stitches and purl rest of the row until two stitches remain, p2tog.
Bind off 2 (2, 2, 3) 3, 3 [3, 3, 3] stitches and work remainder of the row until two stitches remain, on RS rows k2tog and WS rows p2tog. Repeat for a total of 12 times worked and ending with 48 (56, 64, 62) 68, 80 [82, 88, 98] stitches remaining.
Bind off 3 stitches and knit 2 (6, 9, 6) 8, 13 [14, 17, 22] stitches. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and knit the row until two stitches remain, p2tog.
Knit 1 row.
Bind off stitches just worked.
To work left shoulder, transfer stitches to begin purling other shoulder side.
Bind off 3 stitches and purl 2 (6, 9, 6) 8, 13 [14, 17, 22] stitches. Wrap yarn around next unworked stitch and return back to left needle. Turn and knit the row until two stitches remain, p2tog.
Purl 1 row.
Bind off stitches just worked.
Neck edging:
Working on RS of work; pick up 1 stitch on bound off neck edge, knit the remaining live stitches while picking up the wrapped yarn to knit together with the stitch it wrapped, and pick up 1 stitch on other bound off neck edge.
Work 2 rows of reverse stockinette.
With a crochet hook, loosely crochet the stitches off with a slip stitch.
Sew together shoulders.
Sleeves:
Working on RS of work; pick up 56 (62, 66, 72) 80, 94 [108, 116, 122] between sleeve markings or beginning of armhole decreases.
Work 2 rows of reverse stockinette.
With a crochet hook, loosely crochet the stitches off with a slip stitch.
Sew together sleeve edges and body edges. Weave in ends.
Pattern Chart:
Pattern Chart Symbol Key:
Lovely top, thank you for sharing. I’m wondering about what happens for “For sizes XS to L : place markers for sleeve.” All of the following directions are for larger sizes, I don’t see any actual bind off or sleeve st counts for the XS to L sizes. I feel like there are some missing instructions, unless I’m missing something obvious.
Thank you for the comment and question. For the smaller sizes there aren’t any bind offs for under the sleeve, just for the larger sizes. This is to keep the sleeve hitting at a similar spot on the arm throughout the sizes. For those of us with smaller chests, the width of the bust matches up to the shoulder width + sleeve cap length. As the sizes go up the bust diameter becomes larger than than shoulder width + sleeve cap length. The bind off under the arm is only for the sizes needing the decrease in sleeve length, otherwise it would be hitting further down the arm and closer to the elbow. For those sizes not decreasing you would move to the section in the pattern that starts “All sizes.”
Amazing free pattern
Thank you! I’m glad you like it.
The Cardigan looks great! You never cease to amaze me! Aunt Martha