Clem Top Knitting Pattern

Clem Top in Rowan Summerlite DK

What is Being Made

The Clem Top is a knitted garment designed as an advanced beginner knitting project from Quails Studio. This top features a fitted silhouette with raglan armholes and is available in nine size options ranging from 71-76 cm to 152-157 cm chest measurements (28-30 inches to 60-62 inches). The garment is photographed in Khaki 461, showcasing the versatility of the Rowan Summerlite DK yarn used throughout the construction.

Techniques Used

The Clem Top employs several intermediate knitting techniques that define its advanced beginner skill level. The garment features raglan armhole shaping, which creates diagonal decreases from the underarm to the neckline, resulting in a contemporary fitted silhouette. The construction uses lace stitch patterning as a central design element, integrated throughout specific sections of the front and back pieces. The pattern requires careful attention to maintaining stitch pattern accuracy while simultaneously working decreases, demonstrating the complexity suitable for knitters progressing beyond basic techniques. Neckband construction using a circular needle adds a professional finishing touch, while the use of stitch holders and stitch markers helps manage stitches during assembly.

Stitches Used

The Clem Top incorporates several essential knitting stitches. Stockinette stitch (st st) forms the foundation fabric, measured at a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters. Lace stitch creates the decorative patterned sections, also measured at 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters using the same needle size, ensuring consistent fabric drape and appearance. Slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases are used to shape the raglan armholes, creating a neat left-leaning decrease. Knit two together (K2tog) decreases work in tandem with SSK to create symmetrical shaping on either side of the garment sections. Purl two together (P2tog) and purl two together through the back loop (P2tog tbl) decreases are employed on wrong-side rows to maintain pattern continuity. The neckband is finished with a knit cast-off, providing a clean, professional edge.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Clem Top is designed specifically for Rowan Summerlite DK, a lightweight yarn ideal for warm-weather garments. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 balls (50 grams each) for the smallest sizes up to 9 balls for the largest sizes. The photographed sample in Khaki 461 demonstrates the yarn's subtle coloring and drape characteristics. All knitting is worked using 3.75mm (US 5) needles, with straight needles for the main body pieces and a 40-centimeter circular needle for the neckband. This needle size, combined with the Summerlite DK yarn, produces the specified tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows per 10 centimeters, essential for achieving the correct garment proportions and fit across all nine size options.