Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Lace Weight Top Knitting Pattern

by

I feel like the most important thing in the summer is keeping cool. I live in the southern United States and it’s hot all the time in the summer months, so having clothing that is cool and lightweight is really important.

Using fine or superfine yarn is a great way to make a summer garment that isn’t too heavy to wear. Or, in the case of the Trilo Tee from Sachiko Burgin, lace weight yarn. Yes, that’s 0 on the standard yarn weight scale, but don’t be intimidated. The pattern uses size 5 and 7 US knitting needles and calls for a gauge of 20 stitches to 4 inches, which isn’t too terrible.

Also, the pattern is mostly stockinette stitch, with a bit of lace at the bottom edges, so it’s not too difficult to deal with this tiny yarn. It does, however, make a garment that is translucent, so plan for that when you choose yarn and what to wear underneath.

The pattern comes in nine sizes, ranging in chest measurement from 35.25 to 70.5 inches. It’s worked in the round from the bottom up, with the only seam happening at the underarms. It’s meant to be cropped and has short sleeves, but of course you can make the garment longer if you like.

As written, the smallest size uses less than 500 yards of yarn. It’s recommended to use a mohair blend yarn for extra fuzziness, but if you’re knitting the top to wear during the summer you might not want the extra warmth so any kind of lace weight yarn will do. Maybe you can knit it twice and have tops you can wear all yarn long! There are some silk and bamboo options shown in the project gallery for this pattern, so be sure to check those out if you’re thinking of using other fibers.

You can get a copy of this pattern for yourself on Ravelry.

[Photo: Sachiko Burgin]

Comments

  1. I live in England, I saw this beautuful jumper to knit, but very frustating I cannot see ir get the pattern

  2. Martina tetenburg. Type ‘trilo top’ into the search on ravelry. I’ve just found it and purchased it that way and I’m in the uk.

Have you read?

Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.