Cap-Sleeve Knit Top

A classic scoop-neck top with short cap sleeves, worked flat in pieces and seamed. The body is stockinette with 1x1 rib at the hem; cap sleeves are picked up around the armholes and worked in the round. Intermediate: armhole and neck shaping, seaming, and picking up stitches.

Skill level: Intermediate

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL)

To fit bust: 30–32 (34–36, 38–40, 42–44, 46–48)" / 76–81 (86–91, 96.5–101.5, 106.5–112, 117–122) cm

Choose the size closest to your bust measurement. The top is designed with about 2–4" (5–10 cm) of positive ease.

Instructions are written for XS with S, M, L, and XL in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Circle the numbers for your size before you begin.

Finished measurements

Bust: 33¾ (38¼, 42¾, 46¼, 50¾)" / 85.5 (97, 108.5, 117.5, 129) cm

Length from shoulder: 21½ (22½, 23½, 24½, 25½)" / 54.5 (57, 59.5, 62, 65) cm

Armhole depth: 7½ (8, 8½, 9, 9½)" / 19 (20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm

Cross-back: 13 (14¼, 15, 16½, 17¼)" / 33 (36, 38, 42, 44) cm

Cap sleeve length from pick-up: 2 (2, 2¼, 2¼, 2½)" / 5 (5, 5.5, 5.5, 6.5) cm

Neck width (back): 5¾ (6¼, 6¾, 7, 7½)" / 14.5 (16, 17, 18, 19) cm

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYCA 4)

Yardage: 600 (700, 800, 925, 1075) yd / 550 (640, 730, 845, 985) m

A wool, wool-blend, or cotton/linen worsted that holds a crisp stitch is ideal. Wool blends have more bounce for layering; cotton or linen blends drape well in warm weather.

Shown conceptually at: approx. 200 yd (183 m) per 100 g skein — you will need 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) skeins. Purchase an extra skein if your gauge is denser than specified or if you lengthen the body.

Needles

• US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles for ribbing
• US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular needles for the body
• US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" (40 cm) circular needle for neckband
• US 8 (5 mm) 16" (40 cm) circular needle, or DPNs, for cap sleeves

Adjust needle size if needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Stitch holders or waste yarn
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional: locking markers to mark armhole and neck openings

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 8 (5 mm) needles, blocked.

4.5 sts = 1" (2.5 cm); 6 rows = 1" (2.5 cm).

Swatch, block, and measure before you start. Gauge affects both fit and yarn quantity.

Notes

• The front and back are worked flat from the hem up, then seamed. Cap sleeves and the neckband are picked up and worked in the round.
• Stockinette stitch flat: knit RS rows, purl WS rows. Stockinette in the round: knit every round.
• Selvedge: the first and last stitch of every row are knit on both RS and WS (garter selvedge) to make seaming easier. These stitches are included in the stitch counts.
• When shaping, work decreases 1 stitch in from the edge as written so the selvedge stays intact.
• Block the front and back to the finished measurements before seaming.
• Join a second ball of yarn when dividing the front neck; both sides are worked at the same time.

Abbreviations (US)

BO — bind off CO — cast on dec — decrease k — knit k2tog — knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) p — purl pm — place marker rem — remain(ing) rep — repeat rnd(s) — round(s) RS — right side ssk — slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit those 2 stitches together through the back loop (left-leaning decrease) st(s) — stitch(es) St st — stockinette stitch WS — wrong side

BACK

With smaller needles, CO 76 (86, 96, 104, 114) sts.

Ribbing row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Ribbing row 2 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

The WS row matches because you have an even stitch count (k over k, p over p when you turn). Continue 1x1 rib until the hem measures 1½" (4 cm) from the CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Change to larger needles.

Next row (RS): Knit.

Next row (WS): K1 (selvedge), purl to last st, k1 (selvedge).

Continue in St st with garter selvedge until the piece measures 14 (14½, 15, 15½, 16)" / 35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5) cm from the CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape armholes

Next row (RS): BO 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) sts, knit to end.

Next row (WS): BO 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) sts, purl to last st, k1.

68 (76, 84, 92, 100) sts rem. (76 − 4 − 4 = 68 ✓; 86 − 5 − 5 = 76 ✓; 96 − 6 − 6 = 84 ✓; 104 − 6 − 6 = 92 ✓; 114 − 7 − 7 = 100 ✓)

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)

Next row (WS): K1, purl to last st, k1.

Rep the last 2 rows 4 (5, 7, 8, 10) more times — 5 (6, 8, 9, 11) decrease rows total.

58 (64, 68, 74, 78) sts rem. (68 − 10 = 58 ✓; 76 − 12 = 64 ✓; 84 − 16 = 68 ✓; 92 − 18 = 74 ✓; 100 − 22 = 78 ✓)

Work even in St st with garter selvedge until the armhole measures 7½ (8, 8½, 9, 9½)" / 19 (20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm from the first armhole bind-off row, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders

Bind off at the beginning of each row as follows:

Row 1 (RS): BO 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts, knit to end.

Row 2 (WS): BO 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts, purl to last st, k1. 46 (52, 54, 60, 62) sts rem.

Row 3: BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts, knit to end.

Row 4: BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts, purl to last st, k1. 36 (40, 42, 46, 48) sts rem.

Row 5: BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts, knit to end.

Row 6: BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts, purl to end. 26 (28, 30, 32, 34) sts rem. (58 − 6 − 6 − 5 − 5 − 5 − 5 = 26 ✓; 64 − 6 − 6 − 6 − 6 − 6 − 6 = 28 ✓; 68 − 7 − 7 − 6 − 6 − 6 − 6 = 30 ✓; 74 − 7 − 7 − 7 − 7 − 7 − 7 = 32 ✓; 78 − 8 − 8 − 7 − 7 − 7 − 7 = 34 ✓)

BO remaining 26 (28, 30, 32, 34) back neck sts.

FRONT

Work as for Back until the armhole shaping is complete — 58 (64, 68, 74, 78) sts — then work even until the armhole measures 3 (3¼, 3½, 3¾, 4)" / 7.5 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) cm from the first armhole bind-off row, ending with a WS row.

(All armhole decreases are finished before the neck begins.)

Shape scoop neck

Dividing row (RS): K 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) sts, place the next 12 (14, 14, 16, 16) sts on a holder for center front neck, join a second ball of yarn, k remaining 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) sts. (23 + 12 + 23 = 58 ✓; 25 + 14 + 25 = 64 ✓; 27 + 14 + 27 = 68 ✓; 29 + 16 + 29 = 74 ✓; 31 + 16 + 31 = 78 ✓)

You now have two sets of stitches, each with its own ball of yarn. Work both sides at the same time.

Next row (WS): On each side, k1, purl to last st, k1.

Neck dec row (RS):

• Right front (first set of sts, wearer’s right): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
• Left front (second set of sts, wearer’s left): K1, ssk, knit to end.

Next row (WS): On each side, k1, purl to last st, k1.

Rep the last 2 rows 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) more times — 7 (7, 8, 8, 9) neck decrease rows total.

16 (18, 19, 21, 22) sts rem each side. (23 − 7 = 16 ✓; 25 − 7 = 18 ✓; 27 − 8 = 19 ✓; 29 − 8 = 21 ✓; 31 − 9 = 22 ✓)

Work even on both sides until the armhole measures 7½ (8, 8½, 9, 9½)" / 19 (20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm from the first armhole bind-off row, matching the Back, and ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders

Continue working both sides at the same time. Bind off at each armhole edge (the outer edge of each piece) as follows:

Row 1 (RS): BO 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts at the beginning of the right front, work to neck; on the left front, work to end.

Row 2 (WS): BO 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts at the beginning of the left front, work to neck; on the right front, work to end.

Row 3 (RS): BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts at the beginning of the right front, work to neck; on the left front, work to end.

Row 4 (WS): BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts at the beginning of the left front, work to neck; on the right front, work to end.

Row 5 (RS): BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts at the beginning of the right front; on the left front, work to end.

Row 6 (WS): BO 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) sts at the beginning of the left front.

No stitches remain. (16 − 6 − 5 − 5 = 0 ✓; 18 − 6 − 6 − 6 = 0 ✓; 19 − 7 − 6 − 6 = 0 ✓; 21 − 7 − 7 − 7 = 0 ✓; 22 − 8 − 7 − 7 = 0 ✓)

FINISHING

Block

Wet-block the front and back to the finished measurements. Pin the armholes, neck, and hem so the edges lie flat. Allow to dry completely.

Target blocked widths (each piece): 16⅞ (19⅛, 21⅜, 23⅛, 25⅜)" / 43 (48.5, 54.5, 58.5, 64.5) cm Target blocked lengths: 21½ (22½, 23½, 24½, 25½)" / 54.5 (57, 59.5, 62, 65) cm

Seam shoulders

With RS together (or WS together if you prefer a mattress-stitch join on the RS), sew the front and back shoulder bind-off edges together using mattress stitch or a whipstitch along the bound-off chains. Each shoulder join is 16 (18, 19, 21, 22) sts wide — about 3½ (4, 4¼, 4¾, 5)" / 9 (10, 11, 12, 12.5) cm.

Seam sides

Sew the side seams from the top of the hem rib to the underarm bind-off, matching row to row. Leave the armhole edges open.

Cap sleeves

Work one sleeve at a time.

With larger 16" (40 cm) circular needle (or DPNs) and RS facing, beginning at the underarm side seam, pick up and knit 60 (68, 76, 84, 92) sts evenly around the armhole. Pick up 1 st in each bound-off underarm st and about 3 sts for every 4 rows along the vertical/shaped edges. Join to work in the round. Pm for beginning of round (underarm).

60 (68, 76, 84, 92) sts. (even count, ready for 1x1 rib; 60 ÷ 4.5 ≈ 13¼" opening on XS, scaling to ≈ 20½" on XL ✓)

Knit 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) rounds even in St st — about 1 (1, 1¼, 1¼, 1¾)" / 2.5 (2.5, 3, 3, 4.5) cm.

Change to smaller 16" circular needle or DPNs.

Rib rnd: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Work 1x1 rib for 1" (2.5 cm) — about 6 rounds.

BO loosely in rib.

Rep for the second armhole.

Sleeve length from pick-up to bind-off is 2 (2, 2¼, 2¼, 2½)" / 5 (5, 5.5, 5.5, 6.5) cm.

Neckband

With smaller 16" (40 cm) circular needle and RS facing, beginning at the left shoulder seam:

1. Pick up and knit 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) sts evenly down the left front neck edge.
2. Knit the 12 (14, 14, 16, 16) held center front neck sts.
3. Pick up and knit 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) sts evenly up the right front neck edge.
4. Pick up and knit 26 (28, 30, 32, 34) sts across the back neck.

Join to work in the round. Pm for beginning of round.

82 (90, 96, 104, 110) sts. (22 + 12 + 22 + 26 = 82 ✓; 24 + 14 + 24 + 28 = 90 ✓; 26 + 14 + 26 + 30 = 96 ✓; 28 + 16 + 28 + 32 = 104 ✓; 30 + 16 + 30 + 34 = 110 ✓)

Rib rnd: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Work 1x1 rib until the neckband measures 1" (2.5 cm) — about 6 rounds.

BO loosely in rib. If the neck feels tight, bind off with the larger needle.

Weave in ends and final block

Weave in all remaining ends on the WS. Lightly steam or wet-block the seams, cap sleeves, and neckband so they lie flat. Do not stretch the ribbing.

Fit notes

• Length: For a cropped top, work the body to 11 (11½, 12, 12½, 13)" / 28 (29, 30.5, 32, 33) cm before the armholes. For a tunic, add 2–4" / 5–10 cm before the armholes.
• Cap sleeves: If you prefer a slightly longer cap, add 2–4 extra stockinette rounds before the rib. If the cap flares, pick up 4 fewer stitches and/or work the entire cap in 1x1 rib.
• Neck: For a higher crew neck, begin front neck shaping ½–1" / 1.5–2.5 cm later. For a deeper scoop, begin ½–1" / 1.5–2.5 cm earlier; keep the same decrease count so the shoulders still match the back.
• Side slits: Leave the bottom 2–3" / 5–7.5 cm of each side seam unsewn.

Checklist before you wear it

• [ ] Gauge matched 18 sts / 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• [ ] Front and back stitch counts match at the underarm and at the shoulders
• [ ] Shoulder seams sit at the natural shoulder, not down the arm
• [ ] Cap sleeves are the same length
• [ ] Neckband lies flat and is not tight
• [ ] Side seams are even from hem to underarm