Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Keely Cowl-Collar Top Knitting

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Keely Cowl-Collar Top

What Is Being Made

The Keely Cowl-Collar Top is a sophisticated knitted sweater featuring a distinctive cowl neckline and horizontal striping throughout. Designed by Irina Poludnenko, this garment is constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach and comes in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 37 inches (94 cm) to 59½ inches (151 cm) and lengths from 19½ inches (49.5 cm) to 24½ inches (62 cm). The top showcases a luxurious color palette with multiple yarn colors creating visual interest across the body.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its refined aesthetic. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are knitted in separate flat sections rather than in the round, then seamed together at the conclusion. The construction follows a bottom-up method, where the body is knitted starting from the lower edge and progressing upward toward the shoulders and neckline. Horizontal stripes are integrated throughout the design using a slip stitch pattern technique, which creates textured color changes by slipping stitches across rows while working with different yarn colors. This striping method adds depth and visual complexity without requiring complicated color work.

Stitches Used

The Keely Cowl-Collar Top utilizes three primary stitch patterns. Stockinette stitch forms the foundation fabric, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows, producing the classic smooth, V-textured knit surface. Garter stitch is employed for structural elements and edge details, made by knitting every stitch on every row to create a ridged, reversible fabric. The signature design element is the Slip Stitch Pattern, which works over a multiple of three stitches and repeats over twelve rows. This pattern alternates between solid-color knit rows and rows featuring slip stitches worked with yarn held in back (wyib) or in front (wyif), creating a sophisticated striped effect that combines color changes with subtle texture variation.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern showcases two distinct luxury yarns from the Stacy Charles Collezione line. The primary yarn is S. Charles Collezione RITRATTO, a blend of 53% viscose, 28% kid mohair, 10% nylon, and 9% polyester. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 198 yards (180 meters). Four colors of RITRATTO are used: color #133 black gold (A), color #137 mahogany (B), color #134 copper canyon (C), and color #127 meadow grass (D). The secondary yarn is S. Charles Collezione LUNA, a luxurious blend of 71% super kid mohair, 20% silk, and 9% lurex. Each ball of LUNA weighs 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and provides 232 yards (212.5 meters). Two colors of LUNA are incorporated: color #13 comet (E) and color #26 sunbeam (F). One ball each of all six colors is required for all sizes.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for size 9 (5.5mm) needles in multiple configurations. A pair of straight size 9 needles is used for the main body construction, or needles may be substituted to obtain the required gauge. Additionally, two size 9 circular needles are needed: one 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle for working the cowl neckline and one 32-inch (80 cm) circular needle for the bottom edging. Essential notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, a stitch holder for securing live stitches, and a yarn needle for seaming pieces together and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the Slip Stitch Pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and garment fit. Knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning the project. The pattern notes that for smaller sizes, a substantial amount of yarn will remain after completing the top, and Stacy Charles offers a complementary Toni Scarf pattern available on their website to utilize the leftover yarn.