Twilight Top Knitting Pattern

Twilight Top in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Cotton

What is Being Made

The Twilight Top is a beginner-level knitted garment designed by Quail Studio. This is a versatile pullover top available in nine sizes, ranging from bust measurements of 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). The garment features a classic crew neckline and is constructed with a straightforward silhouette, making it an excellent project for knitters new to garment construction.

Techniques Used

The Twilight Top employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner crafters. The pattern uses raglan armhole shaping, which involves decreasing stitches at the beginning of rows to create sloped armholes that extend from the underarm to the neckline. The garment is worked primarily in flat pieces (back and front worked separately) before being joined together during finishing. Mattress stitch or back stitch is used to seam the shoulder pieces together, providing a neat and professional finish. The neckband is picked up and knitted in the round using circular needles, a common technique for creating finished necklines on pullover garments.

Stitches Used

The Twilight Top incorporates two primary stitch patterns. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st), which creates the smooth, classic V-pattern texture characteristic of most knitted garments. The side panels feature double moss stitch, also known as seed stitch variation, which creates a textured, bumpy surface by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence. The neckband is worked in ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches in the same column), which provides elasticity and helps the neckline maintain its shape. The pattern specifies working rows 1 through 4 to establish the stitch pattern, then continuing without further pattern changes until the armhole shaping begins.

Materials and Tools

The Twilight Top is designed to be made with Alpaca Cotton yarn from the MODE at Rowan collection, photographed in the colorway Snowflake 014. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 balls (25g each) for the smallest size to 8 balls for the largest sizes. The pattern calls for 3.75mm (US 5) needles in two configurations: a standard pair of straight needles for working the flat pieces, and a 60 cm circular needle for the neckband. Stitch holders are required to hold stitches temporarily during construction. The tension specifications are critical for proper fit: 23 stitches and 31 rows per 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch, and 22 stitches and 31 rows per 10 cm measured over double moss stitch, both using 3.75mm needles.

Construction Overview

The back and front pieces are worked identically, beginning with casting on between 92 and 182 stitches depending on size. The side panels are established with double moss stitch borders (12 stitches total: 6 stitches on each side), while the central 68 to 158 stitches are worked in stockinette stitch. The garment is worked straight until it reaches approximately 40-44 cm in length, at which point armhole shaping and neck shaping occur simultaneously. The pattern decreases one stitch at the beginning of rows to create the raglan armholes while also shaping the neckline. Once the pieces are complete, they are joined at the shoulder seams using mattress stitch, and a neckband is picked up and knitted around the neck opening to finish the garment.