Cello Top Knitting Pattern

Cello Top in Rowan Cotton Cashmere

What is Being Made

The Cello Top is a knitted garment designed by Georgia Farrell for Rowan. This is a pullover-style top available in nine size options, ranging from bust measurements of 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements at the underarm ranging from 84.5 cm to 166.5 cm, providing a range of fits from close-fitting to generous ease depending on size selection.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The pattern involves constructing a fitted top with shaped armholes, shoulder shaping, and a detailed neckline construction. The garment is worked primarily in pieces on flat needles before assembly.

Key construction techniques include:

• Casting on using 4mm needles to establish the foundation stitches for the back and front pieces
• Working straight sections until armhole depth is reached, which varies by size from 18 cm to 28 cm
• Shaping shoulders through strategic cast-offs at the beginning of rows
• Creating a shaped back neck by working each side separately with decreases at the neck edge
• Front neck shaping that involves multiple stages of decreasing—first at consecutive rows, then alternating rows, then every fourth row—to create a gradual, fitted neckline
• Neckband finishing using a circular needle to pick up and work stitches around the neck opening

Stitches Used

The pattern employs a stitch pattern referred to as "patt" throughout the instructions, which is kept consistent across all shaping sections. The tension specification indicates 21½ stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm measured over the pattern using 4mm needles. This relatively fine gauge creates a smooth, refined fabric suitable for a fitted top. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations including cast-offs, decreases at edges, and row-by-row shaping to achieve the fitted silhouette.

Materials

The Cello Top is designed to be worked in Rowan Cotton Cashmere yarn, a luxury blend combining the breathability of cotton with the softness of cashmere. The yarn is supplied in 50-gram balls, with the pattern photographed in the colorway Ecru 226. Yardage requirements vary by size, with the smallest size requiring 5 balls and the largest requiring 8 balls of yarn.

The pattern specifies two needle sizes:

• 4mm (US 6) needles in a standard pair format for the main body of the garment
• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle for working the neckband in the round

Additional supplies needed include stitch holders for managing stitches during the shaping process, particularly when working the neck and shoulders.