Jo Sharp A-Line Cotton Tunic Knitting Pattern

Jo Sharp A-Line Cotton Tunic

What is Being Made

The Jo Sharp A-Line Cotton Tunic is a women's knitted garment available in two versions: Version 1 is a short-length tunic, and Version 2 is a longer-length tunic. Both versions feature a flattering A-line silhouette that widens from the bust downward. The tunic is designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 80cm to 110cm (approximately 31.5 to 43.25 inches), making it suitable for sizes A through D. The garment includes a button closure and is constructed as a seamless, worked-flat design using lightweight cotton yarn.

Techniques Used

This tunic is created using seamless, worked-flat construction, which means the pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then assembled. The pattern employs strategic shaping techniques to achieve the A-line silhouette, with decreases worked at the bodice to create a fitted bust area and increases or strategic placement to allow the garment to widen toward the hem. The front and back pieces feature coordinated shaping at the armholes and neckline, with cast-off stitches creating clean edges at these openings. The construction method allows for precise control over the garment's proportions and ensures a professional finish.

Stitches Used

The tunic primarily uses Stockinette Stitch (St st) for the main body, which creates a smooth, classic knitted fabric with a flat appearance on the right side. The cast-on edge begins with Garter Stitch, worked over 4 rows on the right side to create a textured, rolled edge that provides structure and definition at the lower hem. Decreasing techniques include slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit-two-together (K2tog) decreases, which are worked symmetrically at the bodice to shape the garment. Purl rows are incorporated as part of the Stockinette Stitch pattern. The neckline and armhole shaping involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows to create clean, finished edges.

Materials

The tunic is knitted using Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton yarn, a lightweight cotton yarn suitable for warm-weather garments. Yarn quantities vary by size and version: Version 1 (short) requires 8 to 9 balls of 50g for sizes A and B, and 9 to 9 balls for sizes C and D. Version 2 (long) requires 10 to 12 balls of 50g depending on size. The pattern specifies 4.00mm needles (US size 6, UK size 8), including one pair of straight needles and one 60cm circular needle for finishing. Additional materials include two stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and one 1cm button for the closure.