Natalia Top Knitting Pattern

Natalia Top in Rowan Cotton Cashmere & Kidsilk Haze

What Is Being Made

The Natalia Top is a knitted garment designed as a beginner-level project from Quail Studio. This top is tailored to fit chest measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) through 152–157 cm (60–62 inches), making it available in nine different sizes. The finished garment features an actual chest measurement spanning from 92 cm (36¼ inches) at the smallest size to 172 cm (67¾ inches) at the largest, offering a relaxed fit suitable for various body types.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques appropriate for beginners developing their skills. The pattern incorporates basket weave stitch as the primary stitch pattern throughout the garment body, creating visual texture and interest. The construction involves shaping at the armholes and neckline through strategic decreases worked at regular intervals. The pattern uses stitch holders to manage stitches during the shaping process, particularly at the back neck and front neck areas. Decreasing stitches is accomplished through purl two together (patt 2 tog) techniques to create smooth, tapered edges. The top is finished with a neckband worked on a circular needle, which requires joining yarn sections and working in the round or flat depending on the construction method.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern employed in the Natalia Top is basket weave, which is worked over the main body of the garment and maintained throughout shaping rows. The pattern specifies working stitches in pattern (abbreviated as "patt"), meaning the basket weave repeat is continued consistently across rows. Purl two together (patt 2 tog) decreases are used to shape the neckline and armholes, creating a fitted silhouette. The cast-off edge is also worked in pattern, maintaining the basket weave texture through the final row for a cohesive finish.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Natalia Top is designed to be worked holding two yarn strands together simultaneously. The yarn combination consists of Rowan Cotton Cashmere in the colorway CC Linen 211, with quantities ranging from 5 to 11 balls of 50-gram weight depending on the size selected. This is paired with Rowan Kidsilk Haze in the colorway KSH Pearl 590, requiring 3 to 6 balls of 25-gram weight per size. This two-yarn combination creates a lightweight, breathable fabric with the comfort of cotton and the luxury softness of cashmere blended with the delicate shimmer of kidsilk.

The pattern requires 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body of the garment. A 4mm (US 6) circular needle measuring 40 centimeters is needed specifically for working the neckband. The tension is established at 20 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the basket weave stitch using 4mm needles while holding one strand of each yarn together, making accurate gauge checking essential before beginning the project.

Stitch holders are required as additional notions to manage stitches during the shaping process at the neck openings.