Pegetha top

Pegetha is a lightweight, breezy, and seamless top with a rounded neck, broken rib detail, and statement elbow length set-in sleeves. It’s taking the everyday top, and elevating it with simple details and a fantastic fit. Wear it on its own on warmer days, or throw it on over a camisole for a bit of extra warmth in spring and autumn.

The pattern for the Pegetha top has two optional fit adjustments included to ensure a great fit across the full range of 9 sizes (from 28in/70cm to 66in/165cm bust). There’s a full bust adjustment, which adds either 2in/5cm or 4in/10cm across the front bust area of the top to eliminate any uncomfortable fabric stretching. A second optional adjustment of horizontal bust darts can be worked to add 2in/5cm to the front length of the top.

When knitting your Pegetha you can work one, both, or none of these adjustments – getting you the fit that you want.

Key information 

The Pegetha top is worked seamlessly top down. Stitches are cast on for the upper back which is knitted down to the underarms using increases to shape the armholes. The fronts are then picked up and worked from the shoulder seams, before being joined at the rounded neckline. There’s an option to work the first part of the full bust adjustment before beginning armhole shaping, before the back and front are joined in the round at the underarm. The optional horizontal darts can be worked at this point, along with the second part of the bust adjustment, before all fits work in the round down to the hem.

The sleeve stitches are picked up from the armholes, and the sleeve caps are worked using German short rows. Two increase rounds add the bell shape to the sleeve, which is then finished off with the broken rib detail.

Pegetha is graded in 9 sizes to from a 28in/70cm to 66in/165cm bust. Where numbers vary according to size, they’re written as 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9

Suggested yarn: 4ply yarn that meets gauge. The sample is knitted in Wool Matters South West 4ply (50% Blueface, 30% Bluefaced Leicester, 20% Wensleydale, 388m / 425yds per 100g), a non-superwash wool yarn that blooms beautifully when blocked. The pattern works particularly well to show off variegated yarns.

Yarn requirements: 

775 (865, 975, 1080, 1205) 1345, 1475, 1590, 1735 m / 850 (950, 1070, 1185, 1320) 1475, 1615, 1740, 1900 yds of 4ply yarn.

These yarn requirements take into account the yarn needed to work the optional bust adjustment and optional horizontal darts, but if you wish to lengthen your top you will need more yarn.

Finished size, fit, and schematic: 

The Pegetha top is designed to fit with 2-4”/5-10cm of positive ease at the bust. As the Pegetha top has fit options, the best way to get the right fit is to start with your actual upper bust measurement. This is taken under the armpits, above your full bust, and gives a truer reflection of your overall frame than a full bust measurement. See the sizing table in the photos for full information on the measurements of the top.

Compare the finished chest circumference of this size with your full bust measurement to determine whether or not to work the optional bust adjustment; you can add either 2”/5cm or 4”/10cm to the bust of your top by working this adjustment. You then also have the option to add length to the front of your top to prevent it riding up, so you can create the perfect fit for you.

Suggested needles (and notions): 

• 4mm (US 6) and 3.75mm (US 5) long circular needles 

• 4mm (US 6) and 3.75mm (US 5) 16in/40cm circular needles for working sleeves 

• Stitch markers 

• Waste yarn 

• Tapestry needle

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows to 4in/10cm over stocking stitch, knit flat using 4mm needles.