Download this guide to make Ladies Striped Top With Curved Hem.
How to Knit a Ladies Striped Top With Curved Hem
This top features a curved hem and striped design. Work in stocking stitch with colour changes as indicated.
Pattern: A551
Difficulty: Intermediate
Yarn: Lincraft Imperial, 100g balls, colours as indicated
How to Knit a Ladies Striped Top
Measurements
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fits bust (cm) | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 |
| Garment measures (cm) | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 |
| Length (approx, cm) | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 |
| Sleeve length (cm) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Yarn Required
- Lincraft Cotton 8ply, 50g balls
- 1st Colour (C1): 3, 4, 4, 4 balls for S, M, L, XL
- 2nd Colour (C2): 2, 3, 3, 3 balls for S, M, L, XL
- 3rd Colour (C3): 2, 3, 3, 3 balls for S, M, L, XL
Difficulty
Intermediate
Needles
- A pair of 4.00mm knitting needles
- A 4.00mm circular knitting needle, 80cm long
- Wool needle for sewing up
Requirements
2 stitch holders
Tension
22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking st using 4.00mm needles
Back
- Using 4.00mm needles and C1, cast on 34 (38-40-44) sts
- Work 2 rows stocking st
- Continue in stocking st and cast off 4 (5-5-6) sts at beg of every row until there are 50 (88-50-92) sts, then 5 (6-6-7) sts at beg of every row until there are 100 (112-122-134) sts
- Work 2 rows stocking st
- Work a further 90 rows stocking st in stripes of 18 rows C2 and 18 rows C1
Shape Armholes
Using C1, cast off 6 (8-9-11) sts at beg of next 2 rows – 88 (96-104-112) sts.
Decrease one st at each end of next row, then every alt row until 76 (80-88-96) sts remain.
Work 5 (1-1-1) rows.
Size XL Only
Using C3, dec one st at each end of next row, then follow alt row – 92 sts
All Sizes
Using C3 for remaining sts, continue until armhole measures 21 (22-23-24) cm, ending with a purl row
Shape Shoulders
Cast off 7 (7-8-9) sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 7 (8-9-8) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Leave remaining 34 (36-38-40) sts on a stitch holder
Front
Work as for back to **
Size XL Only
Using C3, dec one st at each end of next row, then follow alt row … 92 sts.
All Sizes
Using C3 for rem, cont until there are 26 (28-28-30) sts less than Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with a purl row.
Shape Shoulder
Next row: K30 (31-35-36), turn.
Cont on these 30 (31-35-36) sts.
Dec one st at neck edge in every alt row until 24 (26-28-30) sts rem, then every 4th row until 21 (22-25-26) sts rem.
Purl 1 row.
Cast off rem 7 (7-8-9) sts at beg of next and alt row.
Work 1 row.
Slip next 16 (18-18-20) sts onto a stitch holder.
With right side facing, join yarn to rem sts and knit to end.
Dec one st at neck edge in every alt row until 24 (26-28-30) sts rem, then every 4th row until 21 (22-25-26) sts rem.
Work 2 rows.
Work as for other shoulder shaping.
Sleeves
Using a pair of 4.00mm needles and C3, cast on 76 (84-92-102) sts.
Work in stocking st until work measures 3cm (or length desired) from beg, ending with a purl row.
Shape Top
Cast off 3 (4-5-6) sts at beg of next 2 rows … 70 (76-82-90) sts.
Dec one st at each end of next row, then every alt row until 30 (38-46-58) sts rem.
Cast off.
Neckband
Join right shoulder seam.
With right side facing, using a pair of 4.00mm needles and C3, knit up 20 (21-21-23) sts along left front neck, knit across sts from Front stitch holder and dec one st in centre, knit up 20 (21-21-23) sts along right front neck, then knit across sts from Back stitch holder and dec 2 sts evenly across … 87 (93-95-103) sts.
Work 3 rows stocking st, beg with a purl row.
Cast off loosely knitways.
Lower Band
Join left shoulder and Neckband seam. Join side seams.
With right side facing, using 4.00mm circular needle and C1, knit up 32 (36-40-44) sts along right Front shaped edge, knit up 31 (35-36-40) sts along Front cast on edge, knit up 32 (36-40-44) sts along left Front shaped edge, knit up 32 (36-40-44) sts along left Back shaped edge, knit up 31 (35-36-40) sts along Back cast on edge, then knit up 32 (36-40-44) sts along right Back shaped edge … 190 (214-232-256) sts.
1st round: Purl.
2nd round: Knit.
3rd round: Purl.
Cast off loosely knitways.
Finishing
Join Sleeve seams. Sew in Sleeves. Sew in all ends.
Alternative Yarns
- 8ply Wool Blend – good stitch definition, soft drape
- Merino Blend 8ply – soft next-to-skin comfort
- Acrylic 8ply – easy-care, machine washable
- Cotton Blend 8ply – lightweight, breathable
- Alpaca Blend 8ply – soft, warm, luxurious
Customisation Ideas
- Alternate stripe widths or colours
- Add decorative border using contrasting colour
- Lengthen or shorten hem as desired
- Optional embellishments along stripe junctions
- Create matching accessories with leftover yarn
Care Instructions
- Follow yarn manufacturer’s washing instructions
- Lay flat to dry, reshape while damp
- Store folded to maintain knit shape
- Remove pilling gently if needed
- Optional blocking to enhance stitch pattern and smooth hem
