Our friends at Patons have designed this easy knitting pattern for a lady's drawstring top.

The top is designed to be a firm fit. Pearl, a beautiful yarn with a soft sheen, comes in 50g balls. The pattern is so simple, it's perfect for a beginner.

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The arms and neck have a relaxed rolled finish.

Measurements (cm)

Size 8
8
10
12
14

16

Fits bust
75
80
85
90

95

Top measures
80
85
90
95

100

Length
52
53
54
55

56

Quantity of Pearl
7
8
8
9

9

Quantities are approximate as they vary between knitters. It si important to use only the yarn specified for this garment as other yarns may give unsatisfactory results.

You'll need:

1 pair each 3.25mm (No 10) and 3.00mm (No 11) knitting needles or sizes needed to give correct tension.
The tension is 27 sts and 35 rows to 10 cm over stocking st, using 3.25mm Needles.

First check your tension. If less. If less sts use smaller needles, if more sts use bigger needles.

Abbreviations

alt = alternate
cm = centimetres
cont = continue
dec = decrease, decreasing
foll = follows, following
inc = increase, increasing
incl = inclusive, including
K = knit
P = purl
rem = remain/ing
rep = repeat
st/s = stitch/es
stocking st = 1 row knit, 1 row purl
tog = together
yfwd = yarn forward: bring yarn under needle, then over into knitting position again, thus making a stitch.

Here's how

'BACK
Using 3.00mm Needles, cast on 111 (117-123-131-137) sts.
Work 14 rows stocking st.
Next row - Purl (foldline).
Change to 3.25mm Needles. **

Work in stocking st (beg with a purl row) until work measures 33 cm from foldline, ending with a purl row.

Shape armholes - Cast off 4 (5-6-7-8) sts at beg of next 2 rows ... 103 (107-111-117-121) sts.
Dec at each end of next and alt rows until 93 (97-99-103-105) sts rem.

Work 45 (49-51-53-53) rows.

Shape neck - NOTE - When turning, bring yarn to front of work, slip next st onto right-hand needle, ybk, slip st back onto left-hand needle, then turn and proceed as instructed - this avoids holes in work.
1st row - K32 (33-33-34-35), turn.
2nd and alt rows - Purl to end.
3rd row - K28 (29-29-30-31), turn.
5th row - K24 (25-25-26-27), turn.
7th row - K20 (21-21-22-23), turn.
9th row - Knit across all sts to end.
Rep rows 1 to 7 incl once, working purl in place of knit and knit in place of purl.
Next row - Knit to end.

Next row - Purl across all sts to end.

Shape shoulders - Cast off 6 sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 5 sts at beg of foll 2 rows.
Cont on rem 59 (63-65-69-71) sts for Neckband.
Work 13 rows stocking st.
Knit 2 rows.

Cast off loosely knitways on wrong side.

FRONT
Work as for Back to **.
Work 3 rows stocking st, beg with a purl row.
Next row - K53 (56-59-63-66), yfwd, K2tog, K2, yfwd, K2tog, K52 (55-58-62-65) ... 2 eyelet holes.
Next row - Purl.

Complete as for Back.

MAKE UP

Do not press. Using back-stitch, join side, shoulder and neckband seams. Allow edges of armholes to roll under and if desired slip-stitch loosely in position. Fold hem at lower edge to wrong side at foldline and slip-stitch loosely in position. Make a twisted cord using 6 strands 360cm in length and thread through hem at lower edge, beg and ending at eyelet holes.

Source: Patons design PM0064. If you need help at any time please call Patons on 1800 333 642.