Mini Anker Top Knitting Pattern

Mini Anker Top by Quail Studio

What is Being Made

The Mini Anker Top is a children's knitted garment designed by Quail Studio and available in five size options ranging from 3–4 years through 11–12 years. The garment features a classic anchor-inspired design with shaping at the back slope, armholes, and front neckline. The actual chest measurements range from 63 cm (24¾ inches) for the smallest size to 84.5 cm (33¼ inches) for the largest size, making it a versatile piece for growing children.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for knitters with beginner-level experience. The construction begins with casting on stitches and working in stockinette stitch as the primary fabric. The pattern incorporates strategic shaping through increases and decreases to create the garment's silhouette. Back slope shaping is achieved through incremental increases at the beginning of rows on the left back piece, while simultaneous decreases at the side seam edge create the tapered effect. Armhole shaping is accomplished by casting off multiple stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by single-stitch decreases worked at each end of alternating rows. Front neckline shaping involves turning the work at specific points to create the neck opening, with decreases worked to define the neckline curve.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st) – The primary stitch throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit Stitch (K) – Used for creating the right-side rows and various shaping techniques
• Purl Stitch (P) – Used for wrong-side rows and specific shaping instructions
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) – A left-leaning decrease used at the beginning of rows for shaping
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used at the end of rows for symmetrical shaping
• Increase (Inc) – Single-stitch increases worked at the beginning of rows to add width during back slope shaping
• Cast Off – Used to bind off multiple stitches at once when shaping armholes

Materials

The Mini Anker Top is knitted using Rowan Cotton DK yarn, a medium-weight cotton yarn ideal for children's garments due to its breathability and easy-care properties. Yarn quantities vary by size: the 3–4 years size requires 5 balls of 50 grams each, the 5–6 years size requires 5 balls, the 7–8 years size requires 6 balls, the 9–10 years size requires 6 balls, and the 11–12 years size requires 7 balls. The photographed sample is shown in Latte 012, a neutral colorway. Knitting is worked on 3.5mm (US size 4) needles, one pair of which is required for the project. The pattern also calls for stitch holders to temporarily hold stitches during construction of the neckline and other shaping areas.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this garment to fit properly across the five size options. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over stockinette stitch using 3.5mm (US 4) needles. Knitters should always knit a tension swatch before beginning the project to ensure their personal gauge matches this specification, as variations in tension will affect the finished measurements of the garment.