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Go Retro with This Juicy Top Knitting Pattern

May 24, 2024 by Sarah White

As a person who lived through the 1980s, I have some different feelings about the retro turn in fashion. Of course everything seems to come around again (a few times, probably, if you live long enough) and while I didn’t love the bright colors and slouchy activewear style the first time around, it kind of makes me smile to see it embraced by a new generation.

It’s the same with knitting. Different styles or methods or even types of projects come and go and some back again. When I first got back into knitting in the early 2000s, there was lots of bulky yarn and funky textures, and it feels a bit like we’re headed that way again. Drop stitches as a decorative technique is also something I used to see more often but don’t remember seeing a lot of lately.

The Drop it Like it’s Hot top from Yarnspirations has all these things: a retro design in a fuzzy, neon yarn (though of course you could tone it down if you don’t want it so candy-colored) with a classic boxy shape and dropped stitches to add a bit of flair. The top also features a deep V-neck and an optional tie for the waist.

When not dressed up with ’80s style accessories, this top also looks great, giving a pop of color to a neutral ensemble (click through to the pattern to see what I mean).

The pattern comes in four sizes with an actual finished chest measurement of 40 to 64 inches (101.5 to 162.5 cm) so you can choose how much ease you want in your project.

It’s worked in panels from side to side, so the cast on edge gives you the length. Working with both ends of the yarn, you’ll cut it as needed to ensure your stripe colors stay consistent.

The pieces are folded and seamed and then stitches are picked up along the bottom to make the waist band. This pattern is free from Yarnspirations and it includes very detailed instructions, so if you’re a new knitter this would be a great first garment for you to try.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

Next Pattern:

  • Play with Color in this Retro Scarf Blanket Knitting Pattern
  • Add a Retro Look to Your House with this Floral Knit Cushion
  • Lace Details Make this Top Knitting Pattern Perfect…
«
»

Have you read?

Bucket Hat Knitting Patterns

As I was starting to write this post I thought that it was true that I’d never done a roundup of bucket hat knitting patterns before. But then I looked, and I actually did one last year (which you can find here) but there are plenty of cute bucket hats to do another post about, right? 

The one that made me want to write about this (again) is the Red Heart Knit Fanfare Bucket Hat from Yarnspirations. This cute striped hat can be worked in team colors, and while I might prefer a non-acrylic yarn for a summer hat, it would be fine when it’s not too hot outside (or try a cotton yarn instead). 

Claire Slade’s Sunlit Bucket Hat has an angled brim to help keep the sun out of your eyes. It’s worked from the bottom up using worsted weight cotton yarn, and comes in three sizes. You can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

Get a little air flow in your bucket hat with the Shady Bucket Hat from Wool & Beyond. This one uses DK weight yarn and an eyelet pattern throughout the body to keep it cool. It comes in sizes ranging from newborn to adult large, and is worked in one piece from the top down. You can grab the pattern (in English or Swedish) on Ravelry. 

If you’re looking for a fun, floppy sun hat for kids or adults, this pattern from Muki Crafts is a little more slouchy than a traditional bucket hat but it’s super cute. It comes in baby, toddler and bigger kid sizes and adult. I uses worsted weight yarn and is worked from the bottom up. 

Another variation on the classic bucket is this one that’s more of a cloche style. Made by branda, it uses bulky yarn so it’s more of a winter bucket hat, but now’s a fine time to knit it if you live somewhere that’s warm right now (or even more so if you live somewhere that’s cold right now). 

Another one to get you ready for colder weather is Tirmety, a two-layer bucket hat from ViTalina Craft, which has a textured stitch pattern on one side and stockinette on the other. You can wear either side out or even make them different colors if you want. The pattern is sized for toddlers, kids and adults. 

And if you want to add some extra cuteness to your bucket hat, I love this (of course totally optional but also totally adorable) embroidered deatila on the New York Bucket Hat from Pauline Fanguin. It uses two strands of DK weight yarn held together for extra sturdiness, and uses changes in needle size to shape the hat. Of course you could also knit stripes or use different textures of yarn to change up the look. This pattern is made to fit your head and is available in French and English. 

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