This is the best-fitting top you will ever knit.

Soda Pop Top is a fitted, cropped sweater designed to emulate the iconic 1950s Sweater Girl look. This top is knit in pieces from the bottom up with set-in sleeves and bust darts to create a well-tailored fit, with shoulders that stay in place and bunch-free armpits.

I referenced a variety of patterns and fashion plates from the 1950s in designing this top so it can satisfy all your authentic vintage needs, while also working for retro pin-up styles!

I have paid special attention to fit, drawing on my sewing experience. The conventional approach given in knitting books for designing a set-in-sleeve garment is to use the same measurement for both the cross back and cross chest, and to knit symmetrical armscyes and sleeve caps. However, that is not how bodies are shaped. You will find a distinct left and right sleeve in this pattern, as well as carefully fitted front and back pieces honoring the slight difference between the cross chest and cross back measurement of most bodies.

This pattern also contains 5 options for bust darts to add up to 6 inches of length to the front of your top, ensuring it won’t bunch around your breasts, or ride up in front.

Additionally, this pattern contains instructions to customize the placement of your bust darts so they work for YOU.

Instructions are included for both short and long sleeves.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

Choose your size based on your upper bust measurement and choose one of the 5 provided bust dart options to fit it to your full bust. Detailed instructions about this are provided in the pattern.

Bust dart positioning is fully custom to your unique body. You may also skip the darts if you don’t need them!

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) [7, 8, 9, 10, 11] {12, 13, 14, 15, 16}.

Finished upper bust measurement, after seaming: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42) [44, 46, 48, 50, 52] {54, 56, 58, 60, 62} in / 81 (86, 91, 97, 102, 107) [112, 117, 122, 127, 132] {137, 142, 147, 152, 157} cm.

Instructions for horizontal bust darts to add up to 6 in / 15 cm for the full bust are provided.

Instructions are included to customize horizontal bust dart placement.

Construction

This top is worked in pieces from the bottom up and seamed.

Yarn

You will need light fingering weight yarn in one color (or try stripes, a fade, or contrast ribbing!). Amounts below:

Short Sleeves

824 (889, 935, 1000, 1070, 1116) [1190, 1236, 1315, 1370, 1445] {1523, 1597, 1681, 1759, 1843} yd / 753 (812, 854, 914, 977, 1019) 1087, 1129, 1201, 1252, 1320 {1392, 1459, 1535, 1607, 1684} m.

Long Sleeves

Long sleeves add an additional 153 (162, 171, 171, 176, 185) [190, 194, 199, 204, 213] {222, 232, 236, 245, 255} yd / 140 (148, 157, 157, 161, 169) 173, 178, 182, 186, 195 {203, 212, 216, 224, 233} m.

Yarn amounts are those needed to work the largest dart size. Working smaller darts may require slightly less yarn.

Yarn amounts include yarn used for seaming.

Gauge

28 sts and 38 rows per 4 in / 10 cm in St st, worked flat.

Needles

- be sure to choose a needle size that lets YOU meet the gauge given above. The sizes listed here are those I used to knit the sample. I tend to knit loosely.
US 2 / 2.75 mm straight or circular needles in your preferred length for flat knitting, or size needed to obtain gauge.
US 2 / 2.75 mm 16 in / 40 cm circular needle (for neckband) in size used to obtain gauge.

Notions

Stitch markers, tape measure, tapestry needle, yarn for seaming if you don’t want to use your main yarn to seam.