Jo Sharp Sideways Top Cotton Jumper Knitting Pattern

Jo Sharp Sideways Top Cotton

What is Being Made

The Jo Sharp Sideways Top Cotton is a simple ribbed knitted top designed for women, available in five different versions. This garment is knitted in one piece, worked sideways from cuff to cuff, making it an ideal project for beginner knitters. The top features a classic ribbed construction and comes in four bust sizes ranging from 80cm to 110cm (31½ inches to 43¾ inches).

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using seamed and worked flat knitting techniques. The sideways construction method means the piece is knitted horizontally from one sleeve cuff across the entire bodice to the opposite sleeve cuff, rather than the traditional top-down or bottom-up approach. This technique requires careful shaping at strategic points to create the armholes and sleeve caps. The garment incorporates both increases and decreases to shape the sleeves and bodice sections, with specific shaping rows worked at regular intervals throughout the construction.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout this top is 2 x 2 rib, which creates vertical lines of texture and provides excellent stretch and recovery. The ribbed construction is maintained consistently across all pattern sections, including the bodice and sleeves. The tension is measured at 37 stitches and 27 rows over 10cm of 2 x 2 rib using unstretched fabric, ensuring proper fit and drape when worn. The top is finished with a cast-off edge worked in rib to maintain the textured appearance.

Materials

This pattern calls for Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton, a lightweight cotton yarn suitable for warm-weather garments. Yarn requirements vary by size and version, ranging from 5 to 13 balls of 50g each depending on the chosen size and design version. The pattern is worked on 4.00mm needles (USA size 6, UK size 8), with the option to use either long straight needles or a circular needle. When using a circular needle, the pattern is worked in rows rather than rounds to accommodate the large number of stitches. Two large stitch holders are required to hold stitches during construction.

Pattern Versions

The pattern includes five distinct versions with varying bodice and sleeve lengths. Versions 1 and 2 feature a bodice length of 59cm (23½ inches) when stretched as worn, with 43cm (17 inches) sleeve length from seam. Versions 3 and 4 offer a shorter bodice length of 39cm (15⅜ inches) when stretched, also with 9.5cm (3¾ inches) sleeve length from seam. Version 5 provides a bodice length of 33cm (13 inches) when stretched, with matching 9.5cm sleeve seam length. This variety allows knitters to customize the finished garment to their preferred proportions.