Tahki Yarns Arabella Top Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Arabella Top

What is Being Made

The Arabella Top is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Vera Keller. This garment is a classic pullover available in five sizes ranging from Extra Small to Extra Large, with finished bust measurements from 32¾ inches (83 cm) to 48 inches (121.5 cm). The length to shoulder varies from 19 inches (48 cm) in the smallest size to 23½ inches (83 cm) in the largest size, making it a versatile piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Construction Techniques

The Arabella Top is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edges and worked upward toward the shoulders. The pattern employs both flat knitting and in-the-round knitting techniques to create different sections of the sweater. The body pieces are worked flat on circular needles, while certain sections utilize circular needle construction for seamless knitting in rounds. This mixed approach allows for efficient construction while maintaining the structured shaping required for a well-fitted garment.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Arabella Top is Stockinette Stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat knit side and a purl side. Stockinette Stitch is worked differently depending on the construction method: when knitting in rounds, all rounds are knit stitches; when working flat in rows, the pattern alternates between knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. The garment also features K2, P2 Ribbing at the cuffs and other edges. This ribbing can be worked either in the round or flat, depending on the specific section, creating an elastic, fitted finish that helps the garment maintain its shape and provide comfortable stretch at the wrists and hem.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Arabella Top pattern calls for Tahki Yarns ALDEN PRINT as the primary yarn in color #109 irises (designated as yarn A). This yarn is composed of 50% virgin wool, 25% superfine alpaca, and 25% acrylic, offering a blend of natural fibers with synthetic durability. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 250 yards (230 meters) of yardage. The pattern requires 6 to 9 balls depending on size, with smaller sizes using 6 balls and the largest size requiring 9 balls. A single ball of Tahki Yarns ALDEN in color #14 silver (designated as yarn B) is used as an accent color. This solid version of the same yarn composition provides contrast and visual interest to the design.

Needles and Notions

The pattern specifies the use of size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60mm) as the primary needles for working the main fabric. A size 5 (3.75mm) circular needle in 24-inch length (60mm) is used for ribbed sections, and an additional size 5 (3.75mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40mm) is included for working smaller circumferences. The pattern also requires stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, removable stitch markers for marking specific stitches, two spare needles for holding stitches temporarily, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

Gauge and Yarn Weight

The specified gauge for the Arabella Top is 18 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4 inches (10 centimeters) when working Stockinette Stitch with a double strand of yarn using the larger needle size. This gauge is critical for achieving the correct finished measurements, and the pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning the project. The use of double-stranded yarn throughout most of the garment creates a thicker, more substantial fabric that provides structure and drape appropriate for a fitted sweater top.