Galan Top Knitting Pattern

Galan Top in Berroco Mykonos

What Is Being Made

The Galan Top is an intermediate-level knitted pullover sweater designed by Donna Yacino. This garment is available in nine sizes with finished bust measurements ranging from 32 inches to 60 inches and finished lengths from 23 inches to 25½ inches. The design features approximately 0 to 4 inches of ease, making it suitable for fitted or relaxed wear depending on size selection.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The garment is constructed using charted colorwork or textural patterning on the back panel, while the front is worked in a solid stitch. The pattern incorporates yarn overs and decreases as part of the charted design, requiring knitters to manage shaping while maintaining pattern continuity. Decreasing techniques are strategically applied over the chart, with provisions for working extra stitches in reverse stockinette stitch when there are insufficient stitches to complete a yarn over and its accompanying decrease pair. The construction begins with a garter stitch border, followed by the main body worked in the established pattern.

Stitches Used

The Galan Top utilizes the following stitches:

• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Reverse St st) – The primary stitch used for the front of the garment and for border areas, creating a smooth, textured surface
• Garter Stitch – Used for the initial 4-row border at the cast-on edge
• Charted Pattern – Worked on the back panel only, incorporating yarn overs and paired decreases (p2tog) to create a decorative or textural design
• Yarn Overs (yo) – Used within the charted pattern to create openwork or texture
• Purl Two Together (p2tog) – Used as the decrease stitch paired with yarn overs in the charted pattern

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern calls for Berroco Mykonos yarn in colorway #8543 Hermes. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 4 hanks (200 grams) for the smallest size to 9 hanks (450 grams) for the largest size, with each hank weighing 50 grams. Berroco Mykonos is a specialty yarn that brings unique characteristics to the finished garment.

Needles and notions required include straight needles in size 5 (3.75 mm) for the main body construction and a 16-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) for working the neckline or other circular sections. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, and 1 stitch holder for securing stitches during construction.

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The gauge for Reverse Stockinette Stitch is 23 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches. The gauge for the charted pattern is 26 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.