Gustavia Top Knitting Pattern

Gustavia Top in Berroco Liana

What is Being Made

The Gustavia Top is a fitted knit garment designed by the Berroco Design Team. This intermediate-level project creates a pullover top with a shaped silhouette, featuring a fitted waist achieved through strategic decreasing. The finished garment offers a range of sizes from 32" to 64" bust measurement, with hip measurements ranging from 48" to 80" and lengths from 21" to 24", providing options for various body types and proportions.

Construction Technique

The Gustavia Top is worked from the bottom up in one continuous piece in the round to the underarms, then divided for separate back and front sections which are completed working back and forth in rows. This method allows for seamless construction in the body while providing flexibility for shaping the neckline and armholes in the upper portions of the garment.

Stitches and Shaping Details

The primary stitch used throughout this project is Stockinette Stitch (St st), created by knitting every round when working in the round. The garment features strategic waist shaping through decreasing: after an initial 2" of even knitting, a decrease round is worked that reduces 10 stitches evenly distributed around the body using SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases. This decrease pattern is repeated every 10 rounds for a total of 8 times, with one fewer stitch worked between decrease markers with each round, creating a gradual and flattering taper at the waist.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Berroco Liana, a yarn weight that requires 4 to 9 hanks depending on size (shown in color #8272 Orchid). Yardage requirements vary by size, with the smallest size requiring 4 hanks and the largest requiring 9 hanks of the 50-gram balls.

Needles and Notions: A 29" circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional notions include 10 stitch markers (with one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of round) and waste yarn to temporarily hold stitches during construction.

Gauge and Fit Information

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rounds over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure accurate finished measurements. The pattern recommends 2 to 6 inches of positive ease, allowing the finished garment to fit comfortably over the body rather than skin-tight.