Stylish Crop Top Free Knit Pattern
Free knitting pattern for a stylish cropped crewneck pullover by Melissa Leapman. Features a unique dropped-stitch cable pattern and ribbed edging, perfect for summer wear. Includes sizes from XS to Plus 3.
Cool and Casual
Rediscover relaxed elegance with Melissa Leapman's classic crewneck pullover. Featuring a drop-stitch cable pattern and ribbed edging, this warm-weather favorite takes textural interest to new heights. Shown in size Small. The Cropped Top first appeared in the Spring/Summer '95 issue of Vogue Knitting.
Cropped Top
VERY EASY VERY VOGUE
SIZES
To fit X-Small (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large). Perfect Plus sizes: [Plus 1, Plus 2, Plus 3]. Directions are for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. If there is only one figure, it applies to all sizes.
KNITTED MEASUREMENTS
- Bust 38 (40, 42, 44, 46)"/96.5 (101.5, 106.5, 112, 117)cm; [51, 53, 57"/ 129.5, 134.5, 144.5cm].
- Length 16 (17, 17, 18, 19)"/41 (43.5, 43.5, 46, 48.5)cm; [23, 24, 25"/58.5, 61, 63.5cm].
- Sleeve width at upper arm 15 (16, 16, 17, 18)"/38 (41, 41, 43.5, 46)cm; [20, 21, 22"/51, 53.5, 56cm].
MATERIALS
Original Yarn
- 8 (9, 9, 10, 10) [12, 13, 15] 1 3/4oz/50g balls (each approx 103yd/95m) of Tahki Linguine (cotton 5) in #718 pale yellow
Substitute Yarn
- 7 (8, 8, 9, 9) [11, 12, 13] 1 3/4oz/50g (each approx 121yd/111m) of Skacel Sirenetta (cotton/acrylic) in #2
- Size 9 (5.5mm) needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
- Cable needle
Note: The original yarn used for this sweater is no longer available. A comparable substitute has been made, which is available at the time of printing. Check gauge of substitute yarns very carefully before beginning.
GAUGE
34 sts and 35 rows = 4"/10cm over chart pat (slightly stretched) using larger needles. FOR PERFECT FIT, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.
STITCH GLOSSARY
23 sts and 26 rows to 4"/10cm over cable pat using size 9 (5.5mm) needles.
Rib pat (multiple of 6 sts plus 2 extra)
Row 1 (RS) K1, *k3, p3; rep from *, end k1. Rep row 1 for rib pat.
Dropped stitch cable (multiple of 6 sts plus 2 extra)
Rows 1 and 3 (RS) Knit.
Rows 2 and 4 Purl.
Row 5 K1, *k next st wrapping yarn twice around needle; rep from *, end k1.
Row 6 K1, sl 3 to cable needle (cn) letting extra loops drop, hold to front of work, p3 letting extra loops drop; p3 from cn; rep from *, end k1. Rep rows 1-6 for dropped stitch cable pat.
Note: Two selvage sts are included and are not reflected in finished measurements. Note for Perfect Plus sizes only: Unless otherwise specified, follow all instructions as given for regular sizes. Numbers for Perfect Plus sizes are in brackets. If there is only one number or one set of instructions, it applies to all Perfect Plus sizes.
BACK
Cast on 110 (116, 122, 128, 134) [146, 152, 164] sts. Work 4 rows in rib pat. Work in dropped stitch cable pat until piece measures 7 1/2 (8, 8, 8 1/2, 9)"/19 (20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 23)cm [12, 12 1/2, 13"/ 30.5, 32, 33cm] from beg, end with a WS row.
Armhole shaping
Bind off 6 [12] sts at beg of next 2 rows, and for Perfect Plus sizes only: dec 1 st each side every row [9, 6, 6] times—98 (104, 110, 116, 122) [104, 116, 128] sts. Work even until armhole measures 7 1/2 (8, 8, 8 1/2, 9)"/19 (20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 23)cm [10, 10 1/2, 11"/25.5, 27, 28cm], end with a WS row.
Shoulder shaping
Bind off 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) [9, 11, 12] sts at beg of next 4 rows, 11 (11, 12, 12, 13) [10, 10, 13] sts at beg of next 2 rows. Bind off rem 40 (42, 42, 44, 44) [48, 52, 54] sts.
FRONT
Work as for back. When armhole measures 6 1/2 (7, 7, 7 1/2, 8)"/16.5 (18, 18, 19, 20.5)cm [8, 8 1/2, 9"/20.5, 21.5, 23cm], end with a WS row.
Neck shaping
Next row (RS) Work 41 (43, 46, 48, 51) [42, 46, 51] sts, join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off 16 (18, 18, 20, 20) [20, 24, 26] sts, work to end. Working both sides at once, bind off from each neck edge 6 [6] sts once, 3 [3] sts once, then dec 1 [1] st at each neck edge every row 3 [5] times. When piece measures same as back to shoulders, shape shoulder as for back.
SLEEVES
Cast on 74 (74, 80, 80, 80) [104, 116, 116] sts. Work 4 rows in rib pat. Work pats and incs simultaneously as foll: For regular sizes only: Work in dropped stitch cable pat, AT SAME TIME, inc 1 st each side (working inc sts into cable pat) every 4th row 3 (9, 0, 7, 12) times, every 6th row 4 (1, 7, 3, 1)—88 (94, 94, 100, 106). For Perfect Plus sizes only: Work in dropped stitch cable pat, AT SAME TIME, inc 1 st each side (working inc sts into cable pat) every 8th row [6, 0, 0] times, every 10th row [0, 2, 5] times—[116, 120, 126] sts. For all sizes: Work even until sleeve measures 7 1/2 (8, 8, 8 1/2, 8 1/2)"/19 (20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5)cm [8 1/2, 9, 10"/21.5, 23, 25.5cm] from beg. Bind off all sts.
FINISHING
Block pieces lightly. Sew left shoulder seam.
Neckband
With RS facing, pick up and k41 (43, 43, 45, 45) [49, 53, 56] sts along back neck, 45 (49, 49, 53, 53) [55, 57, 60] sts along front neck—86 (92, 92, 98, 98) [104, 110, 116] sts. Work 6 rows in rib pat. Bind off in rib pat. Sew left shoulder seam and neckband. Sew top of sleeves to armhole. Sew bound off sts of body to side edges of sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams.
--- GLOSSARY ---
RS: Right Side
WS: Wrong Side
k: knit
p: purl
sts: stitches
pat: pattern
cn: cable needle
sl: slip
inc: increase
dec: decrease
beg: beginning
rem: remaining
rep: repeat
