Knit the Aosta Summer Top by The Knit Purl Girl in our Summer 2024 Knitalong.
Are you ready for another No Frills Knitting KAL?
We had a blast hosting the Ellie Summer Top KAL last year so we figured why not do it again this year with a different summery knit?
TBH, we barely had to think about which to choose - Soph, AKA The Knit Purl Girl has been a shop friend since, well, forever, and we’re always recommending her knitting patterns to customers looking for their next knit project so it was a bit of a no brainer to ask if she fancied teaming up with us for our 2024 KAL.
Um… What actually is a KAL?
A KAL, or knitalong is an event where knitters from all over the world can get together to knit the same project from start to finish and our Aosta Summer Top KAL is a virtual one which will run throughout the summer. There are no rules, all you have to do is commit to knit your top alongside your fellow knitters - you can knit at your own pace and make as many as you like! We also have a KAL WhatsApp group you can join too, so it’s a lovely event to take part in to make new knitter friends, share pictures of your knitting progress and enjoy being a part of the knitting community - plus you’ll have created a tip top summer knit by the end of it, too!
Fancy joining in?
Of course you do! Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
What Is the Aosta Summer Top?
The Aosta Summer Top is a knitting pattern designed by Sophie Hemmings otherwise known as The Knit Purl Girl. It’s a raglan t-shirt knit using the beautifully textured, yet super simple Andalusian stitch.
This pattern is knit from the top down and in the round in one piece which means no sewing once you’ve cast off - hurrah! You will start by knitting the yoke with some short row shaping across the back and the shoulders. You will then work the raglan shaping with compound increases, leaving the sleeve stitches to rest when you are done to work the rest of the body. You’ll then apply the collar before finishing with some light shaping in the sleeves. The result is a super comfy, light layer that will see you through the summer and beyond.
What Do I Need To Knit the Aosta Summer Top?
The Aosta Summer Top calls for a fingering weight yarn, like Knitting For Olive Merino, held double to meet a gauge of 18 stitches x 28 rows to 10cm. The suggested needle size is 5mm needles, but you may have to adjust accordingly depending on your personal tension. The Aosta has been graded to 12 sizes to fit chest measurements from 75cm to 155cm and you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve made up a bunch of our famous No Frills Knitting Ready Kits in all the sizes so getting started with making your own is a piece of cake!
What Will I Get in My Aosta Summer Top Ready Kit?
Our No Frills Knitting Ready Kit contains all the essentials you need to start knitting your own Aosta Summer Top in one convenient package. You will get:
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Your choice of our chosen Knitting For Olive Merino colours with enough balls to complete your project in your chosen size.
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A printed, paper copy of the Aosta Summer Top Knitting Pattern by The Knit Purl Girl.
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A card with the WhatsApp QR code so you can share your knitting progress and support your fellow knitters as they work on theirs.
Please note: knitting needles are not included in the ready kits as you should be swatching and changing needle size if required to meet gauge. You can buy needles separately here. The pattern recommends a 5mm 40, 60 and/or 80/100cm circular needle as a starting point. If you aren't sure which length to start with, we'd start with a 40cm and an 80cm.
You will also need at least 8 stitch markers, a darning needle and some scrap yarn or spare circular needles for the resting sleeve stitches.
What Colours of Yarn Can I Choose From?
We have 4 shades of Knitting For Olive Merino to choose from, selected especially by Soph, The Knit Purl Girl herself
How Much Will My Aosta Summer Top Kit Cost?
Ready Kit prices are, as follows:
Sizes A, B and C (5 balls): £47.50
Sizes D and E (6 balls): £55
Sizes F, G and H (7 balls): £65
Sizes I and J (8 balls): £70
Size K (9 balls): £80
Size L (10 balls): £90
You can purchase your Aosta Summer Top Ready Kit here, but if you're local to Bristol, feel free to pop into our real life shop in Bedminster for a kit, too.
What Size Aosta Should I Knit?
The Aosta Summer Top has recommended neutral ease, between 3.5 cm in positive ease and 3.5 cm in negative ease for Sizes A-H and between 5 cm in positive ease and 5 cm in negative ease for Sizes I-L around the chest. Use the schematic below to find your best size based on your chest measurement.
Sizes: A (B) C (D), E (F) G (H), I (J) K (L)
Finished garment circumference (cm): 78 (82.5) 86.5 (93.5), 98 (102.5) 106.5 (111), 120 (129) 140 (149)
For a chest measurement (cm) of approx : 75-80 (80-85) 85-90 (90-95), 95-100 (100-105) 105-110 (110-115), 115-125 (125-135) 135-145 (145-155)
Example: If your bust measures 92 cm/36”, please choose size D with a finished garment circumference of 93.5 cm/36.75”.
For full sizing breakdown, please refer to the Aosta Summer Top Pattern by The Knit Purl Girl on Ravelry.
How Can I Take Part In The Aosta Summer Top KAL?
The Aosta Summer Top KAL is a virtual knitalong which means anyone is more than welcome to join in and knit with us wherever you are in the world. All you need to do is grab your knitting kit, or dig out some yarn from your stash and purchase a copy of the knitting pattern and you’re good to go.
The Aosta Summer Top KAL is on WhatsApp
A knitalong is not a knitalong without knitters now, is it? So we’ve set up a KAL Whatsapp group which you can use as a space for you to share your progress photos and ask your fellow knitters for help and advice should you need it along the way. You can join the Aosta Summer Top KAL WhatsApp Group via the link below:
Join the Aosta Summer Top KAL WhatsApp Group
Join in the fun on Instagram
If you love to post photos and upload stories of your knitting projects as you go, don’t forget to use our hashtag #AostaSummerTopKAL on Insta to share your progress and to see how others are getting on too. You can also tag us, and Soph too, as we'd all love to see your knits. Why not give everyone a follow over on Instagram:
If you’re a Ravelry user, you can also log your journey with a Ravelry project.