Sorine Top Knitting Pattern

Sorine Top in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Haze

What is Being Made

The Sorine Top is a seamless knitted garment designed by Quail Studio. This advanced-level knitting project creates a fitted top available in nine sizes, ranging from chest measurements of 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). The garment features a constructed neckline and armbands, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its advanced difficulty rating. The construction utilizes seamless top-down knitting, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous garment from the neckline downward. The pattern incorporates increases worked at strategic points throughout the body and neckline sections, allowing the designer to shape the garment precisely.

The pattern uses specialized increase methods including M1RK (make one right knitwise), M1RP (make one right purlwise), M1LK (make one left knitwise), and M1LP (make one left purlwise) techniques. These directional increases are worked strategically to create shaping while maintaining pattern integrity. The neckline shaping involves back neck increases worked over multiple 16-row repeat sequences, demonstrating the precision required for this advanced project.

Stitches Used

The Sorine Top is constructed primarily using a rib pattern, which provides elasticity and a refined appearance. The ribbed stitch pattern alternates knit and purl stitches in a structured arrangement, creating vertical lines that are both visually appealing and functionally supportive. Row 2 of the pattern instructs knitters to "work across row as each st faces you – knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts," which is the fundamental principle of maintaining established rib patterns throughout the garment.

The pattern demonstrates twisted increases through the M1LK technique, which inserts the left needle through the back loop, creating a twisted stitch that adds visual interest and structural integrity to the shaping areas. The combination of these stitches creates a fabric with excellent recovery and a professional finish suitable for an advanced knitting project.

Materials and Tools

The Sorine Top is knitted using Rowan Alpaca Haze yarn, a luxurious fiber that provides softness and drape. The yarn is worked held double, meaning two strands are held together throughout the project, which increases the fabric weight and creates a more substantial garment. Depending on the size selected, the pattern requires between 4 and 7 balls of Alpaca Haze (25 gm each), with the photographed sample created in the colorway Jasmine 014.

The project requires 3.5mm (US 4) needles in multiple configurations. Knitters will need one pair of 3.5mm straight needles for initial sections, along with circular needles in 3.5mm: one measuring 80-140 cm (depending on size) for the body sections, and one measuring 40 cm for the neckband and armbands. Additional notions include stitch holders for securing stitches during construction and a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is critical for this advanced project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (approximately 2 inches), measured over the rib pattern using 3.5mm needles with yarn held double. Knitters should swatch carefully before beginning, as tension variations will significantly affect the finished garment dimensions and fit across all nine available sizes.