Drop Stitch Knit Top Pattern

This drop stitch knit top pattern is a design inspired by summer travels and balmy days.

The drop stitch top is made in 100% cotton yarn and has an oversized fit.

Please scroll down to view the free pattern or purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF in my shop here.

An Intermediate Level Knitting Pattern

This is an intermediate-level pattern and the techniques you will need to know are the knit stitch, the purl stitch, k2tog, how to create a dropped stitch, and knitting in the round.

Using mainly knit and purl stitches, you will also increase and decrease to shape.

You will make two panels the front and the back, both of which are knit the same.

Starting from the bottom edge of each panel and working upward.

When you have reached the correct length, you will shape the neckline and work up for the shoulders.

The neckline is wide enough to wear on both shoulders or to have one side off the shoulder.

*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*

Knit Using The Drop Stitch Pattern

The top is knit with a simple drop-stitch pattern, that consists of repeating the same 6 rows throughout.

Mainly stockinette stitch there is one row of dropped stitches which is knit like this:

K1, *In each st, insert the RHN into the stitch on the LHN as if to knit, then wind the yarn 2 times around the needle and K1* rep from * to * to the last st, K1

To release the dropped stitches you work the next row like this:

Purl row – working into the first loop and allowing the extra 2 loops to slip off the needle to their full length.

An Oversized Knit Top Design

This cotton top has an oversized design and because it is so slouchy, comes in four sizes.

The first size is for both small and medium and the second size is for both large and extra-large sizes.

The sizing measurements are as follows:

• S/M = To fit bust – 81-86 / 91-97 cm / 32-34 / 36-38 inches
• L/XL = To fit bust – 102 -107 / 112 – 117 cm / 40-42/ 44-46 inches

Great For Layering

The top can be worn as a beach cover-up or with shorts or jeans for sightseeing.

Not only for vacations but this top can also be worn anywhere!

Layered over a light vest top, the neckline can be worn dropped off one shoulder or not.

The Supplies You Need…

I used two needle sizes for the pattern – 4 mm (US 6) needles and 5 mm (US 8) needles.

I also used circular needles to accommodate the number of stitches (with a 24-inch cable).

The yarn that I used is Rico Creative Cotton Aran in the color nature, a great alternative is The Cotton from We Are Knitters.

Making Up Your Off The Shoulder Knit Top

When you have completed the two main panels – front and back, you will seam the shoulders.

Then, you will create the neckline, which rolls over slightly.

After that, you will create the armhole borders, which match the neckline and curl over.

Stockinette stitch is used for this so that the edges curl over.

Circular Needles Were Used For the Arms and Neckline

However, I used circular needles for both the neckline and the armhole borders, so I knit every round.

If you are working on straight needles, you will work those parts in stockinette stitch (how to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)).

Finally, you will seam the sides of the top together using a slipstitch. 

A Good Yarn Substitute

You could substitute this yarn by using another brand of cotton.

Something like Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran, The Cotton from We Are Knitters, or Wool and The Gang’s Shiny Happy Cotton.

But you could also use any yarn that is suitable for the needle size – if you didn’t want to make the top in cotton.

A Light Cotton Knit Top

What I love about this top is that it is light, airy, and slouchy!

Great for layering, wearing as a cover-up over a one-piece, or throwing on over jeans.

The drop stitches are simple but add a great stitch design to the top.

It’s perfect for sightseeing, wandering the streets of your town or city, or just for sitting and having a coffee!

You may also be interested in the patterns below that are knit using cotton:

• The Sea Glass Shawl Knitting Pattern
• Cotton Comfort Easy Knit Cardigan Pattern
• Summer Knits

Drop Stitch Knit Top Pattern

Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.

Notes

The top knits up quickly in cotton yarn, and the drop-stitch design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

Copyright Info

• Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
• If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
• You may sell items produced using this pattern.
• Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
• For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Video Tutorial

There is a video tutorial to show you how to knit the drop stitch.

You can see it over on my YouTube channel here.

Skill Level – Intermediate

Size Information

The top has a very baggy, loose fit so has ease in the sizing:

S/M = To fit bust – 81-86 / 91-97 cm / 32-34 / 36-38 inches

L/XL = To fit bust – 102 -107 / 112 – 117 cm / 40-42/ 44-46 inches

The top measures – length to shoulders = 69 cm / 27 inches.

Gauge – 13 stitches, 18 rows to 10 cm / 4″ measured over pattern working on 5 mm (US 8) needles.

This includes the dropped stitches and stocking stitch.

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

• Rico Creative Cotton Aran in Nature (60) x 9 (S/M) x 11 (L/XL)
• Each skein is 50g/85 meters
• 100% Cotton
• Yarn weight – Medium 04
• Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

Needles

• 4 mm (US 6) knitting needles
• 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles
• If you are using circular needles – 24″ cable.
• Please note – I used a 24″ circular knitting needle to accommodate the number of stitches.

Notions

• Tape measure
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch holder

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List

• Approx – Approximately
• Beg – Beginning
• CO – Cast on
• Cont – Continue(ing)
• Dec – Decline
• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together; a right-slanting, single-stitch decrease
• LHN – Left-hand needle
• P – Purl
• Rem – Remaining
• Rep – Repeat
• RHN – Right-hand needle
• RS – Right side
• St(s) – Stitch(es)
• St St – stockinette stitch
• WS – Wrong side

Pattern Instructions

Back and Front (the same)

1. Using 4mm (US 6) needles CO 95sts (S/M) 103sts (L/XL)
2. Work 3cm/1 1/4 inch in st st, ending with a P row.
3. Change to 5mm (US 8) needles.
4. K1, *In each st, insert the RHN into the stitch on the LHN as if to knit, then wind the yarn 2 times around the needle and K1* rep from * to * to the last st, K1
5. Purl row – working into the first loop and allowing the extra 2 loops to slip off the needle to their full length.

Work in pattern as follows:

1. Knit row
2. Purl row
3. Knit row
4. Purl row
5. K1, *In each st, insert the RHN into the stitch on the LHN as if to knit, then wind the yarn 2 times around the needle and K1* rep from * to * to the last st, K1
6. Purl row – working into the first loop and allowing the extra 2 loops to slip off the needle to their full length.

These last 6 rows form the pattern.

Work in the pattern until the back measures 37cm / 14.5 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a P row.

Place a marker at each end of the last row to denote beg of armholes.

Cont in pattern until work measures approx – 52cm / 20.5 inches.

Ending with a WS row.

Shape Neck

Please note – work in the pattern sequence as stated above so the pattern continues through the neck.

• Next row – work in the pattern (this is a knit row) for 36 (S/M) 41 (L/XL) sts, turn and leave rem sts on a spare needle or stitch holder.
• Cast off 3 sts at beg of next and foll 1 (S/M) 2 (L/XL) alt rows.
• Pattern 1 row
• Cast off 2 sts at beg of next and foll 1 (S/M) 2 (L/XL) alt rows.
• Pattern 1 row.
• Dec 1 st at neck edge on next and every foll alt row until 20 (S/M) 22 (L/XL) remain.
• Keeping the pattern correct, cont straight until work measures approx 27 inches / 69 cm from cast-on edge.
• Cast off.
• Return to sts on the spare needle.
• With RS facing, join yarn and cast off first 23 sts (S/M) 21 sts (L/XL), pattern to end. 36 sts (S/M) 41 sts (L/XL).
• Pattern 1 row, then complete matching the first side of neck.

Neckband

1. Join right shoulder seam.
2. With RS facing and using 4mm (US 6) needles, pick up and K 20 sts (S/M) 30 sts (L/XL) down left side of front neck, 23 sts (S/M) 21 sts (L/XL) across front neck, 20 sts (S/M) 30 sts (L/XL) up right side of front neck, 20 sts (S/M) 30 sts (L/XL) down right side of back neck, 23 sts (S/M) 21 sts (L/XL) across back neck and 20 sts (S/M) 30 sts (L/XL) up left side of back neck. 126 sts (S/M) 162 sts (L/XL).
3. Beg with a P row – work 3cm / 1 1/4 inches in st st, ending with a P row (If you are using circular needles, you will just knit every round.)
4. Cast off.

Armhole Borders

1. Join left shoulders and neckband seam, reversing seam for last 2cm / 3/4 inch at neck edge.
2. With RS facing and using 4mm (US 6) needles, pick up and K 60sts S/M, 80sts (L/XL) between markers.
3. Beg with a P row, work 3cm / 1 1/4 inches in st st, ending with a P row. (If you are using circulars and knitting in the round, knit every round).
4. Cast off.

To Make Up

Join the side and armhole seams.

Fold the armhole border in half to WS and slipstitch into position.

Share your work with us…

If you enjoyed making the top, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!