Lawn Top Knitting Pattern

Lawn Top in Rowan Cotton Trio

What is Being Made

The Lawn Top is a knitted garment designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), making it available in nine size options. This is a classic knit top suitable for warm weather wear, crafted from a lightweight cotton yarn that provides breathability and comfort.

Craft and Skill Level

This project is classified as advanced beginner difficulty, making it appropriate for knitters who have mastered fundamental techniques and are ready to tackle more complex construction methods. The pattern involves multiple shaping techniques including neck shaping, shoulder shaping, and front-to-back garment assembly.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Lawn Top employs several essential knitting techniques:

• Garter stitch ribbing at the lower edge, worked for 4 rows to create a finished hem
• Pattern work throughout the main body of the garment, requiring attention to stitch placement and consistency
• Decreasing at the neck edge to shape the front neckline, with decreases worked over multiple rows to create a gradual, professional-looking curve
• Shoulder shaping using cast-off stitches at regular intervals to create proper armhole depth and shoulder slope
• Separate shaping of front and back pieces, with the front worked shorter than the back before shoulder shaping begins
• Seaming techniques to join shoulder seams using mattress stitch, a method that creates invisible seams in knitted fabric

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern primarily utilizes garter stitch for the initial ribbing section. The main body is worked in a patterned stitch that must be maintained consistently throughout shaping. The tension requirement is 18 stitches and 22 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the pattern using the larger needles, which is crucial for achieving proper garment fit and drape.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Rowan Cotton Trio in 50-gram balls. The yardage required varies by size, ranging from 5 balls for the smallest size (71-76 cm chest) to 11 balls for the largest size (152-157 cm chest). The garment is photographed in the colorway Caramel 112. Cotton Trio is a lightweight, breathable yarn ideal for warm-weather garments.

Needles and Notions: The pattern requires three needle sizes:

• One pair of 3mm (US 2/3) needles for initial ribbing and edge work
• One pair of 3½mm (US 4) needles for the main body pattern work
• One 3mm (US 2/3) circular needle, no longer than 40 centimeters, for the neckband

Additional materials needed include stitch holders for managing stitches during neck shaping and standard finishing supplies for pressing and seaming.

Pattern Construction Details

The back piece is cast on using the larger needles and worked in garter stitch for 4 rows before transitioning to the main pattern stitch. The front is worked identically to the back until it reaches a point 6 to 10 rows (depending on size) before the back begins shoulder shaping. At this point, the front neckline is shaped by placing center stitches on a holder and working each side of the neck separately. Neck decreases are worked over consecutive rows and alternating rows depending on size, creating a smooth neckline curve. Shoulder shaping is accomplished through strategic cast-offs worked at the armhole edge while simultaneously completing the neck shaping. The neckband is worked on a circular needle using stitches picked up around the neck opening, including the held center stitches.