Rowan Daisy Top Knitting Pattern

Rowan Daisy Knitted Top by Erika Knight

What is Being Made

The Rowan Daisy is a knitted top designed as a beginner-friendly garment available in multiple sizes to fit bust measurements from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) up to 152–147 cm (60–62 inches). This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a fitted knit top with shaped shoulders and a defined neckline.

Techniques Used

The Daisy top employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques suitable for those developing their skills. The pattern includes wrap and turn shaping, a method used to create smooth, gradual decreases at the shoulders and neckline without visible steps. This technique involves slipping a stitch from the left needle to the right needle, bringing the yarn to the opposite side of the work between the needles, and slipping the same stitch back—a process repeated strategically throughout the construction. The garment also features knit two together (K2tog) decreases for shaping the neck opening and shoulder seams, and slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) decreases for additional shaping detail. The top is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit fabric created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric with a V-shaped pattern on the right side
• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch used in every row
• Purl (P): Used on wrong-side rows to build stockinette stitch fabric
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shoulder and neckline shaping
• Purl two together (P2tog): A decrease worked on wrong-side rows for neckline shaping
• Slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso): A left-leaning decrease used for decorative shaping
• Wrap and turn: A short-row technique that creates smooth shaping by wrapping stitches and turning the work mid-row, then closing the wraps on subsequent rows

Materials and Tools

The Rowan Daisy is knitted using Rowan Summerlite 4 ply yarn, a lightweight four-ply weight yarn ideal for creating delicate, breathable garments. The pattern is photographed in two colorways: Touch of Gold 439 and Pure White 417. The project requires 3mm (US 2/3) needles—specifically, one pair of straight needles and one 40 cm circular needle—along with stitch holders to manage stitches during construction. The pattern specifies a tension of 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch using 3mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished bust measurements ranging from 92 cm to 172 cm (36¼ to 67¾ inches) depending on size selection.

Pattern Overview

The Daisy top is constructed by knitting the back piece first, beginning with a cast-on of 129 to 241 stitches depending on the chosen size. The back features a shaped neckline and shoulders created through a series of wrap-and-turn short rows that gradually decrease the number of working stitches. This creates a smooth, contoured fit at the back neck and shoulders. The pattern instructions include detailed row-by-row guidance for shaping, with specific stitch counts provided for each of the nine available sizes. Stitches are held on holders at key points—such as the shoulder seams and back neck opening—to be worked later or grafted together. The combination of wrap-and-turn shaping with standard decreases ensures a professional finish without visible jogs or irregularities in the fabric.