Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Stella Dolman Top Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Stella Dolman Top

What is Being Made

The Stella Dolman Top is a sophisticated knitted sweater designed by Pam Grushkin, featuring a flattering dolman silhouette. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 36 inches (91.5 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm) and lengths from 20½ to 22 inches (52 to 56 cm). The dolman style creates elegant, flowing sleeves that taper toward the wrist, making this a versatile piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Stella Dolman Top is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Worked Flat: The garment is knitted flat rather than in the round, using circular needles in a back-and-forth motion. This construction method allows for easier shaping and seaming.
• Lace Patterning: The primary design element is the Wave Lace stitch pattern, which creates an open, textured fabric with a sophisticated appearance. This lace pattern repeats over 12 rows and uses a multiple of 6 stitches plus 3 additional stitches.
• Seamed Construction: After individual pieces are knitted, they are seamed together. Side seams and sleeve seams are sewn using a yarn needle, creating clean, finished edges.
• Decreasing for Shaping: The sleeves are shaped using strategic decreases—decreasing one stitch on each side every 4th row five times, then every 5th row twelve times (18 decreases total)—to create the tapered dolman effect.
• Knitted Cast-On: A special knitted cast-on technique is used, which involves knitting into stitches on the left-hand needle and drawing up loops to place new stitches, creating a flexible, elastic edge.
• Cuff Edging: The garment features a cuff edging worked with smaller needles, created by picking up and knitting one stitch in each cast-on or bind-off stitch, then binding off purlwise for a polished finish.
• Blocking: The finished piece is blocked to measurements to ensure proper fit and to even out the lace pattern.

Stitches Used

The Stella Dolman Top employs fundamental knitting stitches combined in the Wave Lace pattern:

• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of the fabric.
• Purl (P): Purl stitches are used on all wrong-side rows to create the flat, even texture between lace pattern rows.
• Yarn Over (yo): This stitch creates the openings characteristic of lace, increasing stitches by wrapping yarn around the needle.
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A right-leaning decrease that reduces stitches by knitting two stitches together through the front loops.
• SKP (Slip, Knit, Pass Slipped Stitch Over): A left-leaning decrease created by slipping one stitch, knitting the next stitch, and passing the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch. This decrease is used throughout the Wave Lace pattern.

The Wave Lace pattern alternates between pattern rows (Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11) and purl rows (Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12), creating a 12-row repeat. The pattern rows feature strategic placement of yarn overs and decreases to form the characteristic wave texture, while the purl rows provide structure and allow the lace to display clearly.

Materials

The Stella Dolman Top is designed to showcase the luxurious qualities of premium yarn:

• Yarn: S. Charles Collezione Stella, a blend of 74% silk and 26% lurex. This fiber combination creates a fabric with natural sheen and subtle sparkle. Each ball weighs 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and contains 76.5 yards (70 meters). The pattern requires 11 to 16 balls depending on size, with smaller sizes requiring 11-12 balls and larger sizes requiring 14-16 balls. The yarn is worked in color #10 Northern Lights.