MillaMia Cassandra Dotted Top Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Cassandra Dotted Top

What is Being Made

The Cassandra Dotted Top is a sophisticated knitted sweater designed to fit bust sizes from 82cm to 107cm (32in to 42in). This garment features an intricate dotted pattern created through a combination of colour changes and slip stitches, making it visually striking despite the straightforward construction methods. The design includes a distinctive wide centre vent on the back piece, adding a refined silhouette and contemporary styling detail to the finished jumper.

Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project employs stranded colourwork technique, where multiple yarn colours are carried across rows to create the dotted pattern. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier colour management and pattern execution. All pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished sweater. The pattern instructions note that despite its intricate appearance, the design is actually more accessible than it initially seems, relying on straightforward colour changes combined with slip stitches to achieve the visual effect.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology) forms the primary fabric base
• Slip stitches are incorporated as part of the dotted pattern technique
• Garter stitch is referenced in the abbreviations for potential ribbing or edging applications
• Moss stitch (seed stitch in US terminology) may be used for textural elements
• Standard increases and decreases including knit two together and make one stitches for shaping

Materials and Specifications

The Cassandra Dotted Top is constructed using MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino yarn, a premium merino wool available exclusively through Love Knitting. The colourway shown features three yarn colours: Pitch Black 100 (A) as the main colour requiring 6 to 8 balls of 50g weight depending on size, with Ice 125 (B) and Storm 102 (C) as contrast colours, each requiring 2 to 3 balls. Alternative colourways are available including Midnight, Putty, Plum, and Grey options.

Construction requires three sizes of knitting needles: 3mm (US 2), 3.25mm (US 3), and 3.75mm (US 5). The working tension is 25 stitches and 34 rows per 10cm square over stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles, and 25 stitches and 58 rows per 10cm square over the dotted pattern using 3.75mm needles. Sleeve length is a consistent 33cm across all sizes, with body length ranging from 51cm to 56cm depending on the chosen size.

Difficulty Level

Rated as Improving difficulty, this project is suitable for knitters with intermediate to advanced experience. While the stranded colourwork pattern may appear complex, the pattern instructions emphasize that the technique is more straightforward than the finished appearance suggests, making it an excellent project for those looking to develop their colour work skills.