Bridget Top Knitting Pattern

Bridget Top in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK

What is Being Made

The Bridget Top is a knitted pullover garment designed by Quail Studio. This intermediate-level top is available in nine sizes, ranging from 71-76cm (28-30 inches) to 152-157cm (60-62 inches) chest measurements, with finished garment chest measurements from 100cm to 180cm. The design features a classic knit construction with ribbed edging and decorative patterning throughout the body.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The garment begins with ribbed edging, created using alternating knit and purl stitches in a 1x1 rib pattern that provides elasticity and structure at the lower edge. The main body incorporates stitch increases worked on wrong-side rows using make-one (M1) increases distributed evenly across the width to shape the garment. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic decreases at the armhole edges. Neck shaping on the front piece involves decreasing stitches at the neck edge on alternating rows and then every fourth row, creating a curved neckline. The pattern also demonstrates seaming techniques, as the back and front pieces are worked separately and require joining. Additionally, the pattern uses stitch holders to temporarily hold stitches for the neckline and other areas during construction.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch forming the primary fabric
• Purl stitch (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to create the 1x1 ribbed pattern
• Make-one increase (M1) – used to increase stitch count evenly across rows for shaping
• Decrease stitches – implied throughout the pattern for armhole and neck shaping

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Bridget Top is designed to be worked in Cotton DK weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating fabric with good drape and breathability. The yarn requirement ranges from 9 balls (50gm each) for the smallest sizes to 16 balls for the largest size. The photographed sample was worked in Macaroon 011, a shade within the MODE at Rowan Cotton DK yarn range.

The pattern is worked on 3.25mm (US size 3) needles. Construction requires one pair of 3.25mm straight needles for the main body pieces and a 3.25mm circular needle no longer than 60cm for working the neckline. The specified tension is 24 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm measured over the pattern using 3.25mm needles, making accurate gauge crucial for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Pattern Construction Overview

The Bridget Top is constructed in separate pieces: a back and front, with the back piece serving as the foundation. Both pieces begin with a 7cm ribbed cuff worked in 1x1 rib, which provides structure and elasticity. The main body is then worked in a stitch pattern that alternates between purl and knit rows, creating visual texture. Shaping is incorporated through strategic increases in the body and decreases at the armholes and front neckline. The pattern includes detailed instructions for multiple sizes, with size-specific stitch counts and shaping frequencies provided throughout to accommodate the full range of finished measurements.