Bice Top Knitting Pattern

Bice Top in Berroco Corsica

What Is Being Made

The Bice Top is a beginner-friendly knitted garment designed by Amy Christoffers. This pullover-style top features cap sleeves and is available in seven sizes, ranging from 36" to 60" bust measurement with finished lengths between 22" and 24½". The design includes approximately 4–6" of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The garment is constructed using a classic top-down approach with separate back and front pieces that are shaped at the shoulders and cap sleeves.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Bice Top employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The construction begins with a garter stitch ribbed band worked on smaller needles, which provides structure and elasticity at the lower edge. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch on larger needles for a smooth, refined fabric. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases: increases are worked using make-one-right (M1R) and make-one-left (M1L) techniques to create cap sleeves, while bind-offs are used to shape the shoulders. The pattern requires attention to gauge and row counting to ensure proper fit and proportions across the multiple size options.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch (Garter St): Worked over 23 rows at the lower edge using smaller needles to create a textured, elastic band
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the main body of the garment, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Make-One-Right (M1R) and Make-One-Left (M1L): Increase stitches used to shape the cap sleeves, worked every right-side row for six consecutive rows
• Bind-off: Used to secure stitches and shape the shoulder seams

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

Yarn: Berroco Corsica, a worsted-weight yarn in color #3634 Phlox. The pattern requires 6 to 10 balls (50 grams each) depending on the finished size selected, with larger sizes requiring additional yardage.

Needles: The pattern calls for straight needles in two sizes—US size 3 (3.25 mm) for the garter stitch ribbing and US size 5 (3.75 mm) for the main body. A 16" circular needle in US size 4 (3.50 mm) is also required for certain finishing techniques. Knitters should adjust needle size as needed to achieve the specified gauge.

Notions and Accessories: One stitch holder for holding stitches, two stitch markers for marking important rows or sections, and two removable stitch markers to identify the beginning of the sleeve cap. These notions assist in tracking shaping and construction progress throughout the project.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of 23 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit, and the pattern emphasizes checking gauge before beginning. The back piece is cast on with 103 to 173 stitches depending on size, worked in garter stitch for 23 rows, then transitioned to stockinette stitch and worked straight until the piece measures 12" from the cast-on edge. Cap sleeve shaping is accomplished through six consecutive increase rows, and shoulder shaping is completed with strategic bind-offs to create proper armhole depth and neckline proportions.