Sommer Sleeveless Top Knitting Pattern

Sommer Sleeveless Top by Mari Chiba

What is Being Made

The Sommer Sleeveless Top is a versatile wardrobe essential designed by Mari Chiba for Juniper Moon Farm's Summer Collection. This sleeveless top features an easy, relaxed fit that makes it ideal for warm weather wear or as a layering piece for cooler seasons. The garment is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 30 ¼ inches to 54 ¼ inches and lengths from 22 inches to 26 ½ inches, ensuring a flattering silhouette across multiple body types.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Sommer Top is worked bottom-up in one piece, which streamlines the construction process while maintaining structural integrity. Despite its simple appearance, the pattern incorporates texture work that creates a challenging knit experience, making this project rewarding for intermediate to advanced knitters. The design features a V-neck shaping worked simultaneously with the main body, requiring strategic decreases on both front panels. The garment is primarily worked in the round using circular needles, with finishing details at the neckline and armholes completed using either double-pointed needles or a crochet hook, offering flexibility based on knitter preference.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques to create visual interest and proper fit:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — The primary stitch used throughout the garment, worked in the round for a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit and Purl stitches — Combined to create textured pattern sections that add depth and visual appeal
• Yarn Over (yo) — Incorporated for lace or decorative elements within the texture work
• Decreases — Multiple decrease techniques are employed for V-neck and armhole shaping, including k2tog (knit two together) for right-leaning decreases and ssk (slip, slip, knit) for left-leaning decreases, as well as their purl equivalents (p2tog and ssp) for maintaining pattern consistency
• Cast On and Bind Off — The pattern begins with a cast-on of 180 to 286 stitches depending on size, joined in the round to begin knitting without a seam

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Sommer Sleeveless Top is designed to be worked in Juniper Moon Farm Zooey yarn in colorway #6 Sel Gris. Yarn requirements range from 2 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 5 balls for the largest sizes (2X and 3X), allowing crafters to plan their material purchases based on their chosen size.

The pattern calls for US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in a 24-inch length as the primary tool for working the body of the garment in the round. Additional tools include US 5 (3.75 mm) double-point needles or a Size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook for finishing the neckline and armhole edges, providing options for knitters with different equipment preferences. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch worked in the round, ensuring proper fit and drape of the finished garment.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers in two colors for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, removable stitch markers for temporary placement guidance, and scrap yarn or a stitch holder for securing stitches during construction.