Tahki Yarns Houston Top Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Houston Top

What is Being Made

The Houston Top is a knitted sweater designed by Pam Grushkin, available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X. This garment features a classic pullover construction with set-in sleeves and a crew neckline. The finished bust measurements range from 35½ inches (90 cm) for the Small size up to 55½ inches (141 cm) for the 3X size, with corresponding lengths from 23 inches (58.5 cm) to 25½ inches (65 cm).

Techniques Used

The Houston Top is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the neckline. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for a traditional seamed construction. Individual pieces—the back, front, and sleeves—are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment. This method provides excellent control over shaping and fit, particularly for the sleeve cap and neckline shaping.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout the Houston Top is Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat knit side and a purl side. The pattern incorporates several essential decreasing and increasing techniques:

• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A right-leaning decrease worked by knitting two stitches together through the front loops, used for shaping the neckline and sleeve cap
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit): A left-leaning decrease created by slipping two stitches individually and then knitting them together, providing balanced decreases on either side of the neckline
• M1L (Make 1 Left): A left-leaning increase made by lifting the strand between needles from front to back and working through the back loop to prevent holes
• M1R (Make 1 Right): A right-leaning increase created by lifting the strand between needles and working it through the front loop
• Cable Cast-On: A special cast-on technique used to create a sturdy, elastic edge by inserting the right needle between stitches and pulling loops through to the front

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Houston Top is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns MONET, a blend yarn composed of 52% cotton, 40% acrylic, and 8% nylon. This fiber content creates a fabric with excellent breathability and comfort, making it ideal for a lightweight top. The yarn is supplied in balls of 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 60 yards (55 meters) per ball. The pattern calls for 7 to 12 balls depending on the size selected, with the color specified as #01 boardwalk.

Needles and Gauge

The Houston Top requires two pairs of knitting needles in different sizes to achieve proper fit and fabric quality. Size 8 (5mm) needles are used for the main body and sleeves, while size 7 (4.5mm) needles are used for the neckband and sleeve edging to create a tighter, more refined finish. The pattern gauge is 16 stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch when worked with the larger needles after blocking. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires a stitch holder or safety pin for holding stitches during neckline shaping, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming the finished pieces together.