North Top Knitting Pattern

North Top in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK & Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The North Top is a knitted garment designed as an intermediate-level pullover sweater. Available in nine sizes ranging from 71–76 cm to 152–157 cm chest measurement, this top is suitable for a wide range of body sizes. The finished garment features a classic pullover construction with shaped shoulders and a finished neckline, making it a versatile layering piece or standalone top.

Yarn and Materials

This design uses a two-yarn combination held together throughout construction. The primary yarn is Rowan Alpaca Soft DK in the colorway Off White 221, with 7 to 14 skeins (50g each) required depending on size. The secondary yarn is Rowan Kidsilk Haze in White 612, requiring 3 to 6 skeins (25g each) based on the finished size. Both yarns are held together as a single strand during knitting, creating a blended fabric with the softness of alpaca and the delicate halo effect of kidsilk.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires one pair of 4.5mm (US 7) needles. Stitch holders are needed for managing stitches during shoulder shaping and neckline finishing. The pattern also references cable needles, indicating the presence of cable stitch details in the design.

Stitches and Techniques

The North Top employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Ribbed Cuffs: The pattern begins with a 2x2 rib (alternating knit 2, purl 2) worked for 6 cm at the lower edge, creating an elastic, fitted edge that helps the garment retain its shape.
• Stockinette Stitch: The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), creating a smooth, classic fabric suitable for showcasing the yarn blend.
• Cable Panel: A front cable panel measuring 35 cm wide once blocked is featured, adding visual interest and textural depth to the garment front.
• Decreases: Purl 2 together (P2tog) and knit 2 together (K2tog) decreases are used strategically to shape the garment, including waist shaping and shoulder decreases.
• Shoulder Shaping: The pattern uses a stepped bind-off method to create shaped shoulders, with cast-off stitches worked in rows to taper the shoulder seams.
• Neckline Shaping: The neck is shaped by placing stitches on holders and working each side of the neckline separately with decreases to create a refined neckline opening.

Tension and Blocking

The pattern specifies a tension of 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch using 4.5mm needles with one strand each of Alpaca Soft DK and Kidsilk Haze held together. Blocking is essential for achieving accurate finished dimensions; the front cable panel should measure 35 cm wide once blocked, and the overall garment length and width are designed to be achieved through careful blocking of the finished knitted pieces.

Construction Method

The North Top is constructed in separate pieces—back and front—which are knitted flat on straight needles. The back begins with a cast-on of 88 to 162 stitches depending on size, followed by ribbed edging and stockinette body. The front uses a larger cast-on (94 to 174 stitches) to accommodate the cable panel detail. Both pieces are worked to a length of 60 to 74 cm before shoulder shaping is introduced. The garment uses a traditional set-in sleeve cap construction method, with shoulders shaped through staged bind-offs and the neckline refined through short-row shaping worked on held stitches.

Skill Level and Complexity

Rated as an intermediate project, the North Top requires competency with basic knitting techniques including ribbing, stockinette stitch, decreases, and cable work. The two-yarn construction adds a slight complexity, as maintaining consistent tension while holding two strands together requires practice. The shoulder and neckline shaping involves working multiple sections separately and managing stitch holders, making this suitable for knitters who have completed several projects and are comfortable with garment construction techniques.