Dinoland rustic summer top

Dinoland Rustic Summer Top by Patternery

What is Being Made

The Dinoland rustic summer top is a children's knitted garment designed by Marina Novikova for the Patternery brand. This top features a charming dinosaur motif and is available in four sizes to fit children from 6 months to 7 years old, with chest circumferences ranging from 18 inches (46 cm) up to 27 inches (68 cm). The design combines practical construction with playful visual interest, making it an ideal lightweight summer piece for young children.

Techniques Used

The Dinoland top is constructed using in-the-round knitting on circular needles, a technique that creates seamless garments and allows for continuous knitting without turning the work. The pattern begins at the bottom edge and progresses upward to the top, with intentional separation points to create distinct front and back sections. This method eliminates the need for seaming and provides a smooth, professional finish. The design incorporates colorwork to showcase the dinosaur motif, requiring careful attention to yarn color changes and pattern placement.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure for the Dinoland top is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric with a flat appearance on the right side. The pattern also employs ribbing at designated sections, likely at the neckline, armholes, and hem to provide elasticity and shape retention. A cable needle is listed among the required notions, suggesting the inclusion of cable stitches or twisted stitch details that add textural interest to the garment design.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Dinoland top is designed to be worked in DK weight yarn, specifically using Scheepjes Linen Soft. This yarn blend combines 27% linen, 47% cotton, and 26% acrylic, creating a breathable, durable fabric ideal for warm-weather wear. The linen and cotton content provides excellent moisture-wicking properties, while the acrylic adds strength and easy care. Yarn quantities vary by size: the 6-month size requires 1 skein of main color plus 1 skein each of rib and dinosaur colors, while the 7-year-old size needs 3 skeins of main color with 1 skein each of the accent colors for all sizes.

Color Options and Specifications

The pattern features a three-color scheme using specific Scheepjes Linen Soft shades: color 613 serves as the main color base, color 631 is used for the ribbed sections, and color 606 highlights the dinosaur design elements. This combination creates visual contrast and makes the playful dinosaur motif stand out against the main fabric.

Needles and Gauge Information

The Dinoland top is worked on US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles. Most sizes use 24-inch (60 cm) circular needles, while the smallest 6-month size uses shorter 16-inch (40 cm) circular needles to accommodate the smaller circumference. The pattern gauge is 10 stitches by 11 rows over 2 inches (5 cm) in stockinette stitch, making this an advanced-level knitting project that requires precision and experience with in-the-round construction and colorwork techniques.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and finishing, a cable needle for any twisted or cable stitch sections, and stitch markers to track pattern repeats and structural divisions throughout the knitting process.