Arabia Top Knitting Pattern

Arabia Top in Rowan Cotton Cashmere & Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The Arabia Top is a knitted garment designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm up to 152-157 cm (approximately 28 inches to 60 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted top with raglan armhole shaping and a crew neckline finished with a neckband.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that create a sophisticated finished garment. The construction begins with a back and front piece worked separately in stockinette stitch, the foundation fabric for this design. Raglan armhole shaping is achieved through strategic decreases that create the distinctive diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline. The neck edge features an i-cord edging, created by slipping stitches purlwise while pulling yarn tightly across the wrong side of the work, producing a rolled edge detail. Neck shaping involves graduated decreases worked at regular intervals—some on consecutive rows, others on alternating rows—to create a smooth curve. The garment is finished with a neckband worked on a circular needle, and the pattern includes working each side of the neck separately to accommodate the shaping before joining at the center.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, flat fabric
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): Used for raglan decreases and neck shaping to reduce stitch count
• Slip, Slip, Knit (sl 1, K1, psso): An alternative decrease method employed in the raglan shaping
• I-cord Edging: Created through slipped stitches that form a decorative rolled edge at the neckline
• Neckband: Worked in ribbing or stockinette stitch on a circular needle to finish the neck opening

Materials and Gauge

The Arabia Top is designed to be worked in two complementary yarns from Rowan: Cotton Cashmere in the colorway Pearly Pink and Kidsilk Haze in the colorway Branch. The pattern specifies yardage requirements that vary by size, with Cotton Cashmere ranging from 216 grams for smaller sizes up to larger quantities for extended sizes, and Kidsilk Haze quantities increasing similarly. These yarns are worked together to create a luxurious blend combining the breathability of cotton, the warmth of cashmere, and the delicate shimmer of silk.

The pattern is worked on 4mm (US 6) needles, using both straight needles for the main body pieces and a 4mm circular needle no longer than 40 cm for the neckband. Achieving proper gauge is essential for this fitted garment: the pattern specifies 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm when working Cotton Cashmere in stockinette stitch, and 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm when working Kidsilk Haze in stockinette stitch, both measured using 4mm needles. Knitters should swatch in their intended yarn combination to ensure the finished garment achieves the correct measurements and drape.