Rowan Bone Top Knitting Pattern

Rowan Bone Knitted Top by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Bone is an intermediate-level knitted top available in two length options: a long version and a cropped version. This garment is designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–157 cm (28–62 inches), with nine size options accommodating XS through XXL proportions. The finished garment bust measurements span from 100 to 180 cm (39¼ to 70¾ inches), offering a relaxed fit across the size range.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Bone top employs lace knitting as its primary construction technique, featuring two distinct lace patterns that create an open, airy fabric. The garment is worked flat using a combination of shaping methods including increases and decreases to achieve the fitted silhouette. The pattern involves careful stitch manipulation and shaping at key points, with the back piece worked straight to a specified length before shaping begins. Lace patterning is maintained throughout the garment, requiring attention to stitch alignment and pattern continuity.

Stitches Used

The primary stitches employed in this design include:

• Knit (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout
• Purl (P) – used for reverse stockinette sections and texture variation
• Yarn over (yo) – creates the decorative eyelets characteristic of lace patterns
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) – a left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs to form lace motifs

Two lace patterns form the foundation of the design. Lace Pattern 2 is worked over 20 rows and creates a repeating motif with varying densities of yarn overs and decreases. Rows alternate between patterned right-side rows and plain purl wrong-side rows, allowing the lace to develop clearly. The pattern includes edge stitches (typically 5 stitches on each side) that remain in stockinette stitch, framing the central lace design and providing stability.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Bone is designed to be worked in Rowan Summerlite DK, a lightweight double-knitting weight yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. Yarn quantities vary by size and length option: the long version requires 6–11 balls depending on size, while the cropped version uses 5–9 balls. The sample garment shown was photographed in Linen 460 and White 465, colorways that showcase the lace pattern's openwork structure.

Two needle sizes are required to achieve proper gauge and fabric characteristics:

• 3¼mm needles (UK size 10 / US size 3) – used for ribbed or edging sections
• 3¾mm needles (UK size 9 / US size 5) – the primary needle size for working the lace pattern

The tension for this garment is set at 20 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over Lace Pattern 2 using the 3¾mm needles. Achieving this tension is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the lace pattern displays at its intended scale.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires a stitch holder for managing live stitches during construction and stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the knitting process.