Valley Yarns Vanda Topper Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Vanda Topper by Julie Turjoman

What is Being Made

The Vanda Topper is a lightweight, color-blocked layering garment designed to be worn over a tank or camisole. This knitted top features a sophisticated two-color design in Charcoal and Orchid, with finished bust measurements ranging from 37 ¼ inches to 65 ¼ inches across eight size options. The garment is crafted to flatter all figures through strategic color-blocking and elegant stitch detailing.

Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly knitting pattern employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is knitted from the lower edge upward. The finished pieces are seamed together to create the final garment. A notable advanced technique featured in this design is short-row shaping, specifically used to shape the shoulders. The short-row method involves wrapping and turning stitches (abbreviated as w & t) to create gradual shaping without binding off, allowing for a custom-fitted shoulder line. This technique is applied progressively across rows, with increasing numbers of stitches being worked in each short-row sequence to achieve the desired shoulder contour.

Stitches Used

The Vanda Topper combines two primary stitch patterns to create visual interest and texture:

• Garter Stitch: This fundamental knitting stitch creates a bumpy, textured fabric with excellent drape. Garter stitch is worked on larger than normal needles in this pattern to intentionally open up the fabric and create a more airy, lightweight appearance suitable for a layering piece.
• Seed Stitch: An alternating knit and purl stitch that produces a small, bumpy texture. Seed stitch is used throughout the pattern, including in the short-row shoulder shaping sections, and contributes to the refined appearance of the finished garment.
• Oversized Eyelets: A decorative detail created using yarn overs that add an elegant accent while accentuating the color-blocking between the main color and contrast color sections.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Vanda Topper is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Deerfield, a premium yarn composed of 80% Baby Alpaca and 20% Silk. This fiber blend creates a garment that is exceptionally cozy while remaining remarkably light and soft against the skin—ideal qualities for a layering piece.

Yarn Requirements: The pattern calls for two colors of Valley Yarns Deerfield, with each skein weighing 50 grams and containing 109 yards. Main Color (Charcoal) requires 5 to 14 skeins depending on size, while Contrast Color (Orchid) requires 3 to 8 skeins. The yardage needed scales proportionally with the finished bust measurement.

Needles and Tools: This pattern is worked on US size 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles in lengths of 24 to 32 inches, or whatever size is needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and a size H/8 crochet hook for finishing details.

Gauge: The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when worked in Garter Stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the garment to knit to the intended finished measurements.

Pattern Notes

The Vanda Topper is classified as a beginner-level pattern, making it accessible to knitters developing their skills. The deliberate use of larger needles than typical for the yarn weight creates an intentionally open fabric structure in both Garter and Seed stitches, contributing to the light, airy quality of the finished topper. The short-row shoulder shaping technique, while present in the pattern, is clearly outlined with step-by-step instructions to guide knitters through this process.