Wilhelmine Top Knitting Pattern

Wilhelmine Top in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK

What is Being Made

The Wilhelmine Top is a knitted garment designed by Quail Studio, available in nine sizes ranging from 71-76cm to 152-157cm chest measurements. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted top with a distinctive collar detail and shaped armholes, suitable for a range of body sizes from children through to adults.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The garment is constructed using mattress stitch or back stitch for seaming the shoulder and collar seams, ensuring neat and professional finishing. The pattern incorporates stitch shaping through decreasing at the armholes, with decreases worked on alternating rows depending on size. The collar features a specialized decrease technique that creates a decorative textured effect. Additionally, the pattern requires picking up and knitting stitches around the armhole openings to create finished armbands, demonstrating intermediate-level construction skills.

Stitches Used

The Wilhelmine Top primarily utilizes stockinette stitch (st st), which forms the main fabric of the garment. The collar introduces a more complex stitch pattern featuring purl three together (P3tog) decreases combined with yarn over (yrn) increases, creating a decorative lace-like texture. The pattern rows alternate between knit and purl rows to establish the stockinette base, with the collar pattern repeating across four rows to create visual interest.

Materials

This project requires Cotton DK yarn from Rowan, with yardage varying by size from 8 balls (50gm) for the smallest sizes up to 12 balls for the largest size. The garment shown in the pattern photographs is worked in Pistachio 019, a natural cotton colorway. Knitters will need 4mm (US 6) needles for the main construction. Additional notions include stitch markers to denote important points such as armhole placement, and stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during garment assembly.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a tension of 24 stitches and 32 rows to 10cm measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The actual chest measurements of the finished garment range from 86.5cm in the smallest size to 166.5cm in the largest, providing generous ease for comfortable wear.