Free Pattern: How to Knit the Chou Top
Hello Maker! It is just about time to get started on some warmer weather knit projects and I have the perfect pattern for you today! I am going to show you how to knit the Chou Top! The Chou Top is a unique spring knit because of it’s reversible necklines. The top is designed to be worn with either side facing front giving you two tops in one!
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Lunar Design Collection
Each year I draw inspiration from the Chinese New Year and make a design. Last year was the Shu Poncho signifying the year of the Rat.
2021 brought to us the year of the Ox and I was so lucky that I had on hand Lion Brand Yarn’s Skein Tones.
To hear more about this yarn, read my unboxing and review here. Going back to the design, this batch of yarn was just perfect to illustrate what I envisioned for my 2021 Chinese New Year design!
This design came out later than the start of the Lunar Year but hey! It is here and an official part of the ongoing Lunar Design Collection. Remember maker, this is a reminder that you do not have to imprison yourself in self set deadlines. Work at your own pace and you will be more productive with better outcomes.
About the top
I was really set in creating a beginner friendly knit top for this design. To be honest, I am not the best knitter and almost – if not all – my knit designs are beginner friendly. Easy but classy, that’s what I am into!
What really makes this spring knit top so special is the reversible neckline. Wait what? How?
The Chou Top features two different necklines that you can choose to wear up front. One is a sweetheart classic kind of design with ruffled sleeves. The other neckline is a a wrapped ruffle that hangs over the top of the garment.
So depending on how you are feeling or where you are going, you can just choose which side you feel like showing and off you go!
Circular needles work best for this pattern
Let’s dig deeper into this spring knit top. I used circular needles for this design, only because it is way faster to just knit in rounds to get the stockinette stitch. When working on the round you need to have a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each row. I like using these stitch markers from Jimmy Beans! I also find that knitting on the round makes my stitches neater than when I work with flat needles.
Why is knitting on the round faster?
Knitting on the round is faster because you are just repeatedly working in knit stitches and there is no need to flip your project after each round. When working on the round, a stockinette stitch is easily done by just knitting, there is no purling on the wrong side of your fabric because you are only working on the right side. Don’t ask me how this is possible – I have no clue! It just does.
What if I don’t have circular needles?
The Chou Top is possible to knit on flat needles. You are just going to need to work a front and back panel separately and seam them together on the sides. For the long ruffled sleeve, you can simply divide the stitches by two and seam the final pieces together to create one long ruffle portion.
Are you ready to get started on this spring knit top? Grab the materials below and come back to get started!
MATERIALS
- 6.0mm circular knitting needles (preferably interchangeable)
- 4.0mm crochet hook (optional got neckline edging)
- scissors
- needle
- Medium 4 weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Yarn’s Skein Tones) 555(xs,s,m)-1110(l, xl) yds
How to Knit the Chou Top
Easy Spring Knit Top
Note: This free copy of the pattern does not include information about colorwork. You can find the resources here:
You can grab the PDF copy of this pattern HERE.
Get this pattern as a kit (yarn included) on the Lion Brand Website HERE.
Pattern
Cast on 120, 136, 152, 168, 184. Place your stitch marker where the row begins before starting to knit on the round.
Round 1 – 63 (65, 66, 67, 69): Knit each st. (120, 136, 152, 168, 184 per row)
Note: This length is measured from below the armpit to the bottom of the garment. If you desire your top to be longer, add more rows to this section then proceed.
We are now going to split the front section and the back section. If you are working with interchangeable circular needles, attach one needle to a new cord and secure the loose ends with stoppers.
Front portion
Row 64 (66, 67, 68, 70): k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, k in the next 48 (56, 64, 72, 79) sts, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog. (54, 62, 70, 78, 86 sts)
Row 65 (67, 68, 69, 71): p2tog, p2tog, p2tog, p in the next 42 (50, 58, 66, 74) sts, p2tog, p2tog, p2tog (48, 56, 64, 72, 80 sts)
R66 (68, 69 70, 72): k2tog, k2tog, k in the next 40 (48, 56, 64, 72) sts, k2tog, k2tog (44, 52, 60, 68, 76 sts)
R67 (69, 70, 71, 73): p2tog, p2tpg, p in next 36 (44, 52, 60, 68) sts, p2tog, p2tog (40, 48, 56, 64, 72 sts)
R68 (70, 71, 72, 74): k2tog, k in the next 36 (44, 52, 60, 68) sts, k2tog (38, 46, 54, 62, 70)
R69 (71, 72, 73, 75): p2tog, p in the next 34 (42, 50, 58, 66) sts, p2tog (36, 44, 52, 60, 68 sts)
XS ONLY
R70- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 6, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5 (36 sts)
R71: p into next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5, k into the next 6, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5 (36 sts)
R72- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 6, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5 (36 sts)
R73: p into next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5, k into the next 6, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5 (36 sts)
R74- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 6, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5 (36 sts)
Fasten off
This portion is supposed to measure above the breast and end on chest area. If you need it higher, add more rows. If you add more rows, make sure to add the same amount on the back portion as well.
R72 (73, 74, 76): k2tog, k in the next 40 (48, 56, 64) sts, k2tog (42, 50, 58, 66 sts)
R73 (74, 75, 77): p2tog, p in the next 38 (46, 54, 62) sts, p2tog (40, 48, 56, 64 sts)
R74 (75, 76, 78): k2tog, k in the next 36 (44, 52, 60) sts, k2tog (38, 46, 54, 62 sts)
S ONLY
R75- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 6, p into the next 6, k into the next 6, p into the next 5, k into the next 5 (38 sts)
R76: p into next 5, k into next 5, p into next 6, k into the next 6, p into the next 6, k into the next 5, p into the next 5 (38 sts)
R77- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 6, p into the next 6, k into the next 6, p into the next 5, k into the next 5 (38 sts)
R78: p into next 5, k into next 5, p into next 6, k into the next 6, p into the next 6, k into the next 5, p into the next 5 (38 sts)
R79- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 6, p into the next 6, k into the next 6, p into the next 5, k into the next 5 (38 sts)
Fasten off
This portion is supposed to measure above the breast and end on chest area. If you need it higher, add more rows. If you add more rows, make sure to add the same amount on the back portion as well.
R76 (77, 79): p2tog, p in the next 42 (50, 58) sts, p2tog (44, 52, 60 sts)
R77 (78, 80): k2tog, k in the next 40 (48, 56) sts, k2tog (42, 50, 58 sts)
R78 (79, 81): p2tog, p in the next 38 (46, 54) sts, p2tog (40, 48, 56 sts)
M ONLY
R79- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5 (5 sts)
R80: p into next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into next 5 (40 sts)
R81- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into next 5 (40 sts)
R82: p into next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into next 5 (40 sts)
R83- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5 (40 sts)
Fasten off
This portion is supposed to measure above the breast and end on chest area. If you need it higher, add more rows. If you add more rows, make sure to add the same amount on the back portion as well.
R80 (82): k2tog, k in the next 44 (52) sts, k2tog (46, 54 sts)
R81 (83): p2tog, p in the next 42 (50) sts, p2tog (44, 52 sts)
L ONLY
R82- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 4, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into next 5, k into next 5 (44 sts)
R83 – p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 4, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5 (44 sts)
R84 – k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 4, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into next 5, k into next 5 (44 sts)
R85 – p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 4, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5 (44 sts)
R86 – k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 4, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into next 5, k into next 5 (44 sts)
Fasten off
This portion is supposed to measure above the breast and end on chest area. If you need it higher, add more rows. If you add more rows, make sure to add the same amount on the back portion as well.
R84: k2tog, k in the next 48 sts, k2tog (50 sts)
R85: p2tog, p in the next 46 sts, p2tog (48 sts)
XL ONLY
R86- k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 4, p into the next 4, k into the next 5, p into next 5, k into next 5, p into the next 5 (48 sts)
R87 – p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 4, k into the next 4, p into the next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5, k into the next 5 (48 sts)
R88 – k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 4, p into the next 4, k into the next 5, p into next 5, k into next 5, p into the next 5 (44 sts)
R89 – p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 4, k into the next 4, p into the next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5, k into the next 5 (44 sts)
R90 – k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 4, p into the next 4, k into the next 5, p into next 5, k into next 5, into the next 5 (44 sts)
R91 – p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 4, k into the next 4, p into the next 5, k into next 5, p into next 5, k into the next 5, p into the next 5 (44 sts)
Fasten off
This portion is supposed to measure above the breast and end on chest area. If you need it higher, add more rows. If you add more rows, make sure to add the same amount on the back portion as well.
Back portion
R64 (66, 67, 68, 70): k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, k in the next 48 (56, 64, 72, 80) sts, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog. (54, 62, 70, 78, 86 sts)
R65 (67, 68, 69, 71): p2tog, p2tog, p in the next 46 (54, 62, 70, 78) sts, p2tog, p2tog (50, 58, 66, 74, 82 sts)
R66 (68, 69 70, 72): k2tog, k in the next 46 (54, 62, 70, 78) sts, k2tog (48, 56, 64, 72, 80 sts)
R67 (69, 70, 71, 73): p2tog, p in next 44 (52, 60, 68, 76) sts, p2tog (46, 54, 62, 70, 78 sts)
R68 (70, 71, 72, 74): k2tog, k in the next 42 (50, 58, 66, 74) sts, k2tog (44, 52, 60, 68, 76 sts)
XS ONLY
R69- k in each st around the row. (44 sts)
R70 – p in each st around the row. (44 sts)
R71-74 – repeat row 69 and 70 respectively (44 sts per row)
Fasten off
R71 (72, 73, 75): p2tog, p in the next 48 (56, 64, 72) sts, p2tog (50, 58, 66, 74 sts)
R72 (73, 74, 76): k2tog, k in the next 46 (54, 62, 70) sts, k2tog (48, 56, 64, 72 sts)
R73 (74, 75, 77): p2tog, p in next 44 (52, 60, 68) sts, p2tog (46, 54, 62, 70sts)
S ONLY
R74- k in each st around the row. (46 sts)
R75 – p in each st around the row. (46 sts)
R76-79 – repeat row 74 and 75 respectively (46 sts per row)
Fasten off
R75 (76 78): k2tog, k in the next 50 (58, 66) sts, k2tog (52, 60, 68 sts)
R76 (77, 79): p2tog, p in next 48 (56, 64) sts, p2tog (50, 58, 66 sts)
R77 (78, 80): k2tog, k in the next 46 (54, 62) sts, k2tog (48, 56, 64sts)
M ONLY
R78: k in each st around the row. (48 sts)
R79: p in each st around the row. (48 sts)
R80-73: repeat row 78 and 79 respectively (48 sts per row)
Fasten off
R79 (81): p2tog, p in the next 52 (60) sts, p2tog (54, 62 sts)
R80 (82): k2tog, k in the next 50 (58) sts, k2tog (52, 60 sts)
L ONLY
R81: k in each st around the row. (52 sts)
R82: p in each st around the row. (52 sts)
R83-86: repeat row 78 and 79 respectively (52 sts per row)
Fasten off
R83: p2tog, p in the next 56 sts, p2tog (58 sts)
R84: k2tog, k in the next 54 sts, k2tog (56 sts)
XL ONLY
R85: k in each st around the row. (56 sts)
R86: p in each st around the row. (56 sts)
R87-90: repeat row 78 and 79 respectively (56 sts per row)
Fasten off
Sleeve band ( done in solid primary color, done flat)
Cast on 80, 80, 90, 95, 100
R1: K in each st (80, 80, 90, 95, 100)
R2: P in each st (80, 80, 90, 95, 100)
R3: *K, M1. Repeat from * until end of the row. (160, 160, 180, 190, 200
R4: P in each st (160, 160, 180, 190, 200)
R5: K in each st. (160, 160, 180, 190, 200)
Continue in stockinette (row 4 and 5 respectively) for 8 (11, 14, 16, 19) more rows
Row 11 (14, 17, 19, 22): Bind off
Assembly
You can find detailed pictures and step by step instructions for this final part on the PDF pattern.
To finish up the top, attach the sleeve to the top ends of the BACK panel. Continue to seam down the edge of the sleeve and the armpit area of the sides.
Align the middle of the sleeve band and the middle of the top FRONT panel and seam to attach the length of the panel.
Lastly, reattach your yarn to the neckline. with your crochet hook, single crochet around the neckline. When you reach the back panel pinch the PURL portions together to create darts. crochet these pinches portions over. Single crochet a second round and fasten off.
And that is all there is to it! You have just made two tops in one with this spring ready top. Make sure to tag me @knitsandknotsbyame so I can see your Chou Top on social. Want to see more spring and summer tops? Try these 3 tops you need to make this summer!
Until next time my maker friend! Make sure to come back next Thursday for more creative fun.
Xoxo
Abigail
