Dryopteris top knitting pattern

Dryopteris is a lightweight sleeveless top, knitted from the bottom up, with panels of diagonal travelling stitches up the sides that continue round the armhole to the shoulder. The name ‘Dryopteris’ is that of a native British fern, which has leaves similar to the columns of travelling stitches up the sides of the garment. 

Two hem ribbing sections are worked flat, then joined in the round for a split hem. The body is worked in the round, then divided for front and back, which are worked flat. The armholes are shaped, then the neckline, and the shoulders are joined with a three-needle bind-off. Stitches are picked up and worked in ribbing for the neckline and armholes. 

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Measurements

Finished chest circumference: 81.5 (89.5, 100, 110.5, 121.5) [129.5, 140, 150.5, 161.5, 169.5] cm / 32.5 (35.75, 40, 44.25, 48.5) [51.75, 56, 60.25, 64.50, 67.75]”

Shoulder width: 38 (40, 42, 45.5, 46) [46, 47.5, 47.5, 48, 48] cm / 15.25 (16, 16.75, 18.25, 18.5) [18.5, 19, 19, 19.25, 19.25]”

Body length from underarm: 35 cm / 13.75” (customisable) 

Armhole depth: 19 (19, 20, 21, 22) [22, 23, 24, 24, 25] cm / 7.5 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75) [8.75, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 10]”

The sample shown is size 2 worn with 3 cm / 1.25” positive ease at widest point of chest. 

Yarn: Wool Decanted Vintage 20 – 4-ply (100% wool, 4-ply / fingering weight, 225 m / 246 yd per 50 g skein)

3 (4, 4, 4, 5) [5, 5, 6, 6, 6] skeins or 630 (690, 765, 855, 970) [1015, 1105, 1195, 1285, 1350] m / 690 (760, 835, 935, 1060) [1110, 1210, 1305, 1405, 1475] yd

The sample shown uses Wool Decanted Vintage 20 – 4-ply in Natural. 

Gauge: 30 sts and 42 rounds = 10 cm / 4” in stockinette in the round after blocking

Needles 

2.5 mm / US 1.5 circular needle (or size required to obtain correct gauge)

Notions: Stitch markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders, spare needle in specified size for three-needle bind-off, darning needle for sewing in ends.