The layering piece you will reach for all winter: a close-fitting knit top with a folded turtleneck, long slim sleeves and a gently shaped waist that ends at the hip. There are no darts, zips or buttons, it simply pulls on over your head. If you have sewn a basic T-shirt, you can sew this one in an afternoon.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern in A4 and US Letter, and sew your own turtleneck top!
Materials
- Knit fabric: 1.3–1.6 m (1 1/2–1 3/4 yd) of 150 cm (60″) wide fabric, or 1.5–1.7 m (1 3/4–1 7/8 yd) of 115 cm (45″) wide fabric. Choose a light to medium-weight knit with at least 60% crosswise stretch and good recovery: 1×1 or 2×2 rib, fine sweater knit, cotton, viscose or bamboo jersey with spandex
- Ballpoint or stretch needles, size 75/11 to 80/12, and a twin needle (optional) for the hems
- Clear elastic or knit stay tape, 6 mm (1/4″), about 30 cm (12″) (optional) for the shoulder seams
- All-purpose polyester thread, a ruler and a square to draw the collar
Avoid stiff knits, ponte and fleece. Stretch test: a 10 cm (4″) strip cut across the grain should stretch easily to at least 16 cm (6 1/4″) and spring back. Pre-wash your fabric the way you will wash the top.
Pattern pieces
- Front, knit fabric: cut 1 (drawn whole)
- Back, knit fabric: cut 1 (drawn whole)
- Sleeve, knit fabric: cut 2 (mirrored pair)
- Collar, knit fabric: cut 1, a rectangle you draw yourself (see the table below)
The front and back are printed as full pieces: do not place them on a fold. Keep the greatest stretch going around the body. The collar is a rectangle 22 cm (8 5/8″) high, as long as the cut length for your size, with the stretch along its length. Ignore the ZIP labels on the side seams: this top has no zip.
Download the free PDF sewing pattern
One file per size, in the paper format that suits you. Share your finished top with #cozysewpatterns!
A0 + Step-by-step guideGet it here ↓Unzip the folder first. Print page 1 at 100% (actual size) and measure the 10 cm (4″) calibration square before printing the rest. Trim the margins and tape the pages together, matching the markers. The A0 file comes with the illustrated guide below.
Sizing guide
Drafted for a height of 1.68 m (5′6″). Choose your size by bust, waist and hips. This top is close-fitting: the finished measurements are almost the same as the body, so the fabric stretch does the work. Between two sizes, take the larger one, and go up one size for a bulky sweater knit or to wear it over another layer.
Letter sizes: 00 = XXS · 0/2 = XS · 4/6 = S · 8/10 = M · 12/14 = L · 16 = XL · 18 = 2XL · 20 = 3XL · 22 = 4XL
Body measurements (cm)
| cm | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 80 | 82.5 | 85 | 87.75 | 90.25 | 92.75 | 95.25 | 99.25 | 104.25 | 109.25 | 114.25 | 119.25 | 124.25 |
| Waist | 63.5 | 66 | 68.75 | 71.25 | 73.75 | 76.25 | 78.75 | 82.75 | 87.5 | 93.25 | 99 | 104.75 | 110.5 |
| Hips | 87.75 | 90.25 | 92.75 | 95.25 | 98 | 100.25 | 102.75 | 106.5 | 111 | 115.5 | 120.75 | 125.75 | 130.75 |
Body measurements (inches)
| in | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 31.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 39.1 | 41.0 | 43.0 | 45.0 | 46.9 | 48.9 |
| Waist | 25.0 | 26.0 | 27.1 | 28.1 | 29.0 | 30.0 | 31.0 | 32.6 | 34.4 | 36.7 | 39.0 | 41.2 | 43.5 |
| Hips | 34.5 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 38.6 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 41.9 | 43.7 | 45.5 | 47.5 | 49.5 | 51.5 |
Finished garment measurements (cm)
| cm | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust | 80 | 82.3 | 84.6 | 87.2 | 89.5 | 91.9 | 94.2 | 98 | 102.7 | 107.4 | 112.1 | 116.8 | 121.5 |
| Waist | 64.9 | 67.2 | 69.7 | 72 | 74.4 | 76.8 | 79.3 | 83.2 | 87.8 | 93.3 | 98.9 | 104.4 | 110 |
| Hips | 83.8 | 86.1 | 88.9 | 91.8 | 95.3 | 98.6 | 101.6 | 105.6 | 110 | 115.1 | 120.1 | 125.5 | 130.4 |
| Back length | 66 | 66.3 | 67.1 | 67.4 | 67.8 | 68 | 68.4 | 68.3 | 68.6 | 68.9 | 69.5 | 70.3 | 70.6 |
| Sleeve length | 57.9 | 57.9 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58.1 | 58.1 | 58.2 | 58.2 | 58.3 | 58.4 | 58.5 | 58.5 |
| Upper arm | 27.8 | 28.3 | 29.1 | 29.9 | 30.4 | 31.7 | 32.8 | 34.6 | 36.1 | 37.7 | 39.5 | 41 | 42.8 |
| Neckline | 35 | 35.2 | 35.7 | 35.9 | 36.1 | 36.6 | 37 | 37.8 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 40.6 | 41.7 | 42.8 |
Fabric and notions per size
| 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm / 60″ wide (m) | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| 115 cm / 45″ wide (m) | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Collar cut length (cm) | 37 | 37.2 | 37.7 | 37.9 | 38.1 | 38.6 | 39 | 39.8 | 40.8 | 41.6 | 42.6 | 43.7 | 44.8 |
| Collar cut length (in) | 14 5/8 | 14 5/8 | 14 7/8 | 14 7/8 | 15 | 15 1/4 | 15 3/8 | 15 5/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 3/8 | 16 3/4 | 17 1/4 | 17 5/8 |
Sewing notes
Fit and style
A close, body-skimming fit with gentle shaping at the waist and a hip-length hem. The neckline has to stretch over your head, so always do the stretch test before cutting. To change the length, add or remove at the hem of the body and sleeves and keep the 2 cm (3/4″) hem allowance.
Fabrics
Rib knits and fine sweater knits give a cozy winter top; jersey with spandex makes a smooth base layer. Heavy knits make a thick collar: size up and keep the collar 10 cm (4″) high or lower.
Cutting out
Cut on a single layer, right side up, with the fabric flat on the table so it does not stretch. Mark the wrong side of each piece with tape or chalk, because the two sides of a knit often look alike. Snip notches no deeper than 3 mm (1/8″).
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Seam allowances are 1 cm (3/8″). Use a serger, or a regular machine with a stretch stitch or narrow zigzag, and do not pull the fabric while you sew.
- Prepare your pieces: snip the notches and mark the wrong sides.
- Sew the shoulder seams, with stay tape if you like.
- Make the collar: close it into a ring, fold it in half and mark four points.
- Attach the collar to the neckline, matching the four points.
- Set in the sleeves.
- Sew the side seams in one line from sleeve hem to bottom hem.
- Hem the sleeves with a stretch stitch or twin needle.
- Hem the bottom and give the top a final press.
Stuck on a step? Sew it with pictures.
The steps above are a quick overview. The full illustrated guide walks you through every step with clear drawings: knit seams on a regular machine, the turtleneck collar, setting in the sleeves and twin-needle hems. It also includes the A0 pattern file.
- Illustrated diagrams for every step
- Before-you-begin checklist and fit tips
- Video guides with QR codes for the key techniques
- A0 pattern file included
- Printable PDF, instant download
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Questions
Is the pattern really free?
Yes. The A4 and US Letter pattern files are free. The illustrated step-by-step guide and the A0 file are available for a small coffee.
Do I need a serger?
No. A regular sewing machine with a stretch stitch or a narrow zigzag and a ballpoint needle works well. A twin needle gives a neat stretchy hem.
Why is the collar not on the pattern sheets?
It is a simple rectangle, so you draw it straight on the fabric with a ruler, using the cut length for your size. This saves printing pages.
Which fabric should I avoid?
Stiff knits, ponte, fleece and wovens. The fabric must stretch at least 60% across the grain so the neckline goes over your head.
Happy sewing!
