The Duo-Top is a casual summer t-shirt that will fit perfectly into any spring/summer wardrobe. It features a keyhole detail at the back of the neck, a curved split hem, and the sleeves and body are finished with sewn hems. The pattern calls for German short rows and there is advice for waist shaping, should you wish to create a more fitted finish. The Duo Top is worked top-down in the round and uses raglan shaping.

Gauge: 20 stitches x 28 rows in stocking stitch on 4 mm needles = 10 x 10 cm

Materials & Fit

Notions: 4 mm (40, 60 and 80 cm cord; a 100 cm cord may also be useful for sizes E and up) and 3 mm (40 and 80/100 cm cord) circular needles. Feel free to adjust your needle size up or down accordingly, working in 0.25 mm increments. I have relatively tight row gauge compared with most knitters, but it isn’t too important for this project.

You will also need at least 9 stitch markers, one of which should be in a contrasting colour to indicate the beginning of the round, a darning needle, and some spare needles/scrap yarn/stitch holders where the stitches of the sleeves will rest. I would also recommend having some extras on hand to make keeping track of the row count easier.

Yarn: Approximately 575 (575) 690 (690) 690-805 (805) 805 (805-920) 920 (1,035) m, or 5 (5) 6 (6) 6-7 (7) 8 (7-8) 8 (9) skeins of Sandnes Garn Duo (55% merino wool, 45% cotton; 115 m per 50 g ball). The sample garment was made in size C with neutral ease around the chest with Duo in the shade Powder Rose/Pudderrosa (4032).

Yarn alternatives: Any DK-weight cotton-merino blend will be beautiful. Please note that if you use an entirely cotton yarn, it may be more liable to growing with wash and wear. As such, I would recommend going down a size to accommodate this growth over time.

Sizing and ease: The Duo Top has roughly neutral ease. It has been graded to sit more or less in the middle of each size bracket, though the ease leans more positive for sizes H, I and J. If you would like a closer fitting or looser garment, size up or down accordingly. As the pattern is worked top-down, you can try on the yoke as you work to ensure that you are getting the best fit. Personally, I haven’t found that Duo is particularly prone to growing in the blocking process so trying the unblocked yoke on should provide a good insight into what the finished garment will look like. Use the chart below to find the best size for you based on your chest measurement.

Size: A (B) C (D) E (F) G (H) I (J)
Chest measurement (cm): 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-105 (105-110) 110-115 (115-125) 125-135 (135-145)
Actual circumference of garment (cm): 82 (86) 92 (96) 102 (108) 112 (122) 132 (142)
Actual circumference of sleeve at underarm (cm): 30.5 (31.5) 34.5 (35.5) 37.5 (39.5) 40.5 (42.5) 46.5 (49.5)