Noro Half-Sleeved Top Knitting Pattern

Noro Half-Sleeved Top

What Is Being Made

The Noro Half-Sleeved Top is an intermediate-level knitted garment featuring a contemporary design with half sleeves and a fitted bodice. This pattern produces a pullover-style top available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large, with finished bust measurements ranging from 40½ inches (103 cm) to 52 inches (132 cm) and a length between 21¾ inches (55 cm) and 23¼ inches (59 cm). The upper arm circumference varies from 13 inches (33 cm) to 16 inches (40.5 cm) depending on size selection.

Construction and Techniques

This top is worked in pieces rather than in the round as a single unit. The construction begins with the lower back and front pieces, which are knitted separately as flat panels. Once these foundational sections are complete, the sleeves and bodice are worked together in one continuous piece, progressing from the right cuff to the left cuff. This method allows for careful shaping and seamless integration of the upper body sections.

The pattern employs circular needles to accommodate the large number of stitches required, though the work is not joined in the round unless specifically instructed. Knitters use two different circular needle lengths during construction: a 16-inch needle for smaller stitch counts and a 32-inch needle for larger sections, both in size US 7 (4.5 mm).

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout this garment is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumps on the wrong side. The pattern incorporates several essential knitting techniques:

• Ribbing — The pattern uses a knit-two, purl-two (K2, P2) ribbing pattern, which provides elasticity and structure, particularly useful for edges and cuffs that need to hold their shape.
• Slip, slip, knit/purl decreases (ssk/ssp) — These decreases are created by slipping two stitches knitwise or purlwise one at a time to the right-hand needle, then inserting the left-hand needle through the fronts of these stitches from left to right and knitting or purling them together. This technique reduces the stitch count while maintaining a neat appearance.
• Yarn overs — New stitches are created by placing the yarn over the right-hand needle, often used in lace or decorative sections and for shaping.
• Slip stitches — Stitches are passed from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle as if to purl without working them, used for edge definition and ease of seaming.
• Selvage stitches — Edge stitches worked at the beginning and end of rows to create clean, seam-friendly edges that simplify the finishing process.
• Work even — Sections where the knitter continues in the established pattern without increasing or decreasing stitches, maintaining a consistent width.

Gauge and Fit

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this pattern. The recommended gauge is 17 stitches and 25 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) over stockinette stitch using size US 7 (4.5 mm) needles. Knitters should always knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure their finished garment matches the intended finished measurements.

Materials Required

The Noro Half-Sleeved Top is constructed using Noro Taiyo yarn in colorway #146. Yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 4 skeins of 100g each, while Medium, Large, and X-Large each require 5 skeins of 100g. This yarn choice provides the color variation and texture characteristic of Noro products.

Essential tools include two circular needles in size US 7 (4.5 mm) — one measuring 16 inches (40 cm) long and one measuring 32 inches (80 cm) long — to accommodate different stitch counts throughout the construction. Stitch markers help track pattern repeats and shaping points, while stitch holders temporarily hold stitches during the transition between sections. The pattern editor recommends using LYKKE® needles and hooks for best results.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready