purlJam

<pattern>

# SUMMER BREEZE DROP SHOULDER TOP

A classic beginner-friendly knitted top featuring a relaxed boxy fit, elegant boatneck, and comfortable short sleeves. The drop shoulder construction means no complicated shaping—perfect for your first garment project!

**Skill Level**: Beginner

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (#4 Medium) yarn
- Yardage: 700(800, 950, 1100, 1250) yards

**Suggested Yarn**: Any worsted weight cotton, cotton blend, or breathable fiber suitable for warm weather

**Needles**: 
- US 8 (5 mm) needles for main body (straight or circular)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) needles for ribbing (or one size smaller than main needles)
- US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 16" length for sleeves (or DPNs)

**Notions**:
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape

---

## GAUGE

**18 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked

⚠️ **Gauge is critical for proper fit. Please take time to swatch and adjust needle size if necessary.**

---

## SIZES

Bust measurements: **S (M, L, XL, 2XL)**

To choose your size, select the finished bust measurement that is 4-6" larger than your actual bust measurement for a relaxed, comfortable fit.

---

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

| Size | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|------|---|---|---|----|----|
| **Finished Bust** | 36" | 40" | 44" | 48" | 52" |
| **Body Length** | 21" | 22" | 23" | 24" | 25" |
| **Armhole Depth** | 8" | 8.5" | 9" | 9.5" | 10" |
| **Sleeve Length** | 4.5" | 4.5" | 5" | 5" | 5.5" |

*Measurements taken flat and unstretched*

---

## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: This top is worked in pieces from the bottom up. The back and front are identical rectangles with no armhole shaping. Shoulders are seamed, leaving the center open for a boatneck. Sleeves are picked up from the armhole edge and worked down to the cuff.

**Stitch Pattern**:
- **1×1 Rib** (over even number of sts): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end
- **Stockinette Stitch** (worked flat): Knit RS rows, purl WS rows

**Abbreviations**:
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- k = knit
- p = purl
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- pm = place marker

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK

Using smaller needles, **CO 162(180, 198, 216, 234) sts**.

*Math check: 162 sts ÷ 18 sts × 4" = 36" ✓*
*Math check: 180 sts ÷ 18 sts × 4" = 40" ✓*
*Math check: 198 sts ÷ 18 sts × 4" = 44" ✓*
*Math check: 216 sts ÷ 18 sts × 4" = 48" ✓*
*Math check: 234 sts ÷ 18 sts × 4" = 52" ✓*

**Ribbing**:
Work in 1×1 rib (k1, p1 across) for 2" (12 rows), ending with a WS row.

**Body**:
Change to larger needles.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until piece measures **21(22, 23, 24, 25)"** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*This equals 48(51, 54, 57, 60)" of stockinette after ribbing*
*Math check: 21" - 2" rib = 19" × 24 rows/4" = 114 rows for size S*

**Bind Off**:
BO all sts loosely.

### FRONT

Work exactly as for Back.

---

## FINISHING

### Join Shoulders

Lay Front and Back pieces flat with RS together, aligning top edges.

**For Size S**: 
- Shoulder seam = 36 sts from each edge *[36 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 8"]*
- Leave center 90 sts open for neck *[90 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 20"]*
- Math check: 36 + 90 + 36 = 162 sts ✓

**For Size M**: 
- Shoulder seam = 40 sts from each edge *[40 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 8.9"]*
- Leave center 100 sts open for neck *[100 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 22.2"]*
- Math check: 40 + 100 + 40 = 180 sts ✓

**For Size L**: 
- Shoulder seam = 44 sts from each edge *[44 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 9.8"]*
- Leave center 110 sts open for neck *[110 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 24.4"]*
- Math check: 44 + 110 + 44 = 198 sts ✓

**For Size XL**: 
- Shoulder seam = 48 sts from each edge *[48 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 10.7"]*
- Leave center 120 sts open for neck *[120 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 26.7"]*
- Math check: 48 + 120 + 48 = 216 sts ✓

**For Size 2XL**: 
- Shoulder seam = 52 sts from each edge *[52 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 11.6"]*
- Leave center 130 sts open for neck *[130 sts × 4" ÷ 18 sts = 28.9"]*
- Math check: 52 + 130 + 52 = 234 sts ✓

Using mattress stitch or your preferred seaming method, seam the outer shoulder sections on each side, leaving the center stitches unworked for the boatneck opening.

### Side Seams

With RS together, seam the side edges from hem to armhole using mattress stitch, leaving **8(8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)"** open at the top of each side for the armholes.

*This creates the straight armhole edge characteristic of drop shoulder construction.*

---

## SLEEVES (make 2)

Sleeves are worked in the round from the armhole edge down to the cuff.

**Pickup**:
With RS facing and larger circular needle (or DPNs), starting at the underarm seam, pick up and knit stitches evenly around the armhole opening as follows:

- **Size S**: Pick up **72 sts** around armhole *[8" armhole × 24 rows/4" × 0.75 pickup ratio ≈ 36 sts per side × 2 = 72 sts]*
- **Size M**: Pick up **76 sts** around armhole *[8.5" × 24/4 × 0.75 ≈ 38 sts per side × 2 = 76 sts]*
- **Size L**: Pick up **82 sts** around armhole *[9" × 24/4 × 0.75 ≈ 41 sts per side × 2 = 82 sts]*
- **Size XL**: Pick up **86 sts** around armhole *[9.5" × 24/4 × 0.75 ≈ 43 sts per side × 2 = 86 sts]*
- **Size 2XL**: Pick up **90 sts** around armhole *[10" × 24/4 × 0.75 ≈ 45 sts per side × 2 = 90 sts]*

Pm for beginning of round and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

**Sleeve Body**:
Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until sleeve measures **3.5(3.5, 4, 4, 4.5)"** from pickup edge, or 1" less than desired finished sleeve length.

**Cuff**:
Change to smaller needles.

Work in 1×1 rib (k1, p1 around) for 1" (6 rounds).

**Bind Off**:
BO all sts loosely in pattern.

---

## NECKLINE FINISHING (Optional)

For a cleaner edge, you may work a simple rolled edge or leave as is for a relaxed look.

**Optional Rolled Edge**:
With RS facing and smaller circular needle, pick up and knit stitches evenly around neckline opening (approximately 1 st per bound-off st). Join to work in the round.

Work 4-6 rounds in stockinette stitch (knit every round). BO loosely. The edge will naturally roll to the WS.

---

## FINAL STEPS

1. Weave in all ends securely.
2. Block to finished measurements, paying special attention to the neckline and sleeve edges.
3. Allow to dry completely before wearing.

---

## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

**Length**: Add or subtract rows before binding off the Front and Back for your preferred length.

**Sleeves**: 
- For cap sleeves, work only the 1" ribbed cuff after pickup
- For 3/4 sleeves, continue stockinette to 10-12" before ribbing

**Stripes**: This simple design is perfect for color blocking or stripes. Change colors every few rows or inches as desired.

**Neckline**: The boatneck is very wide and may slip off one shoulder. To adjust, make the shoulder seams longer (more sts) and the neck opening narrower (fewer sts), maintaining the total stitch count.

---

## SCHEMATIC

```
FRONT & BACK (identical):
        
    |←─── 18(20, 22, 24, 26)" ────→|
    └─────────────────────────────┘  ← shoulder line
    |     |←── 20(22.2, 24.4, 26.7, 28.9)" ──→|     |
    |  8" |     NECK OPENING            | 8"  |
    |     |                             |     |
    ├─────┤                             ├─────┤
    │                                         │
    │          BODY (stockinette)             │  21(22, 23, 24, 25)"
    │                                         │
    │                                         │
    │                                         │
    └─────────────────────────────────────────┘
    |←────── 36(40, 44, 48, 52)" ──────→|


SLEEVE (worked in the round):

         ┌─────────────────┐
         │                 │  
    16(17, 18, 19, 20)"    │  4.5(4.5, 5, 5, 5.5)"
    around armhole         │
         │                 │
         └─────────────────┘
```

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## ABBREVIATIONS