Crochet Patternsfor All Levels

August 7, 2026

Camisole No. 7 – Elegant Top-Down Knitted Camisole with Textured Shaping

A beautifully textured, top-down summer camisole featuring decorative shoulder construction, seamless body joining, and custom decorative shaping. Perfect for intermediate knitters ready to master flat-to-round transitions and precise increase/decrease placement.

Camisole No. 7 – Complete Step-by-Step Knitting Pattern

1. Materials & Gauge

This section covers everything you need to gather before beginning. Using the recommended materials ensures the correct drape and a professional, durable finish.

  • Yarn: Saffira by Pascuali (50g / 200m) OR Pinta by Pascuali (100g / 425m) OR Merci by Filcolana (50g / 200m).
  • Yardage: 150(150) 200(200) 250(250) grams.
  • Needles: 3 mm circular needles (80 cm or 100 cm cable).
  • Notions: Stitch markers (at least 8), waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, scissors, measuring tape.
  • Gauge: 27 stitches x 38 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm (4" x 4") in the Textured Pattern after wet blocking.
  • Finished Measurements:
    • Length under arm: 31(31) 32(33) 35(36) cm
    • Bust circumference: 77(83) 89(97) 107(116) cm
  • Sizing Note: Designed for 5-7 cm of negative ease. Sizes are grouped as XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL. Where two sizes share a number (e.g., 13(13)), it applies to both sizes in that group.

What it teaches: Accurate gauge swatching, evaluating yarn substitutions based on meterage, and calculating custom garment fit with negative ease.

2. Abbreviations & Techniques

  • k: knit
  • p: purl
  • M1L: Make 1 Left (lift strand from front to back, knit twisted)
  • M1R: Make 1 Right (lift strand from back to front, knit)
  • k2tog: knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
  • p2tog-tbl: purl 2 together through back loops (left-leaning purl decrease, improved SSK method)
  • Edge sts: On RS rows: slip 1st knitwise, knit last stitch. On WS rows: slip 1st purlwise, purl last stitch.
  • Textured Pattern (Broken Rib):
    • Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
    • Row 2 (WS): k1, p1 to end of row.
  • Loop Cast-On: E-wrap cast-on method for adding stitches mid-row.

What it teaches: Familiarization with standard international knitting abbreviations, directional increases, and left-leaning purl decreases.

3. Right Back Shoulder

The right shoulder is worked flat, starting with a provisional cast-on to allow for seamless picking up of stitches later.

  • Cast On: Using waste yarn and 3 mm needles, provisionally cast on 13(13) 13(17) 17(17) stitches.
  • Setup: Work 13(13) 11(11) 7(7) rows back and forth in the Textured Pattern, starting with a WS row.
  • Marker Placement: On the RS, place Marker 1 (M1) after 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Neck Shaping (Increase every 2nd row):
    • Row 1 (RS): Edge st, knit to M1, slip M1, M1L, knit to end.
    • Row 2 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M1, p1, slip M1, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
    • Row 3 (RS): Edge st, knit to M1, slip M1, M1L, knit to end.
    • Row 4 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 11(11) 12(11) 10(12) times. (35(35) 37(39) 37(41) stitches on needles).
  • Armhole Shaping: On the RS, place Marker 2 (M2) before the last 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Increase at neck and armhole every 2nd row:
    • Row 1 (RS): Edge st, knit to M1, slip M1, M1L, knit to M2, M1R, slip M2, knit to end.
    • Row 2 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M2, p1, slip M2, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M1, p1, slip M1, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
    • Row 3 (RS): Same as Row 1.
    • Row 4 (WS): Same as Row 4 above.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 2(3) 3(4) 6(7) times. (43(47) 49(55) 61(67) stitches).
  • Finishing: Break yarn, place stitches on a holder.

What it teaches: Provisional cast-ons, tracking complex multi-marker shaping, and executing mirrored directional increases.

4. Left Back Shoulder

The left shoulder mirrors the right, worked flat from the provisional cast-on.

  • Cast On: Provisionally cast on 13(13) 13(17) 17(17) stitches.
  • Setup: Work 13(13) 11(11) 7(7) rows in the Textured Pattern, starting with a WS row.
  • Marker Placement: On the RS, place Marker 3 (M3) before the last 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Neck Shaping (Increase every 2nd row):
    • Row 1 (RS): Edge st, knit to M3, M1R, slip M3, knit to end.
    • Row 2 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M3, p1, slip M3, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
    • Row 3 (RS): Same as Row 1.
    • Row 4 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 11(11) 12(11) 10(12) times. (35(35) 37(39) 37(41) stitches).
  • Armhole Shaping: On the RS, place Marker 4 (M4) after 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Increase at neck and armhole every 2nd row:
    • Row 1 (RS): Edge st, knit to M4, slip M4, M1L, knit to M3, M1R, slip M3, knit to end.
    • Row 2 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M3, p1, slip M3, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M4, p1, slip M4, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
    • Row 3 (RS): Same as Row 1.
    • Row 4 (WS): Same as Row 4 above.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 2(3) 3(4) 6(7) times. (43(47) 49(55) 61(67) stitches).

What it teaches: Mirroring complex shaping instructions and maintaining consistent tension across separate flat panels.

5. Back (Joined)

The back is joined seamlessly from the shoulders, continuing the armhole shaping while working across the center back.

  • Setup: Transfer right shoulder stitches back to the needle. Start working from the left shoulder on the RS.
  • Row 1 (RS): Edge st, knit to M4, slip M4, M1L, knit to M3, slip M3, knit to 2 stitches, p2tog, loop cast-on 1 stitch, work right shoulder stitches, k2tog, knit to M1, slip M1, knit to M2, M1R, slip M2, knit to end.
  • Row 2 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M2, p1, slip M2, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M4, p1, slip M4, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
  • Row 3 (RS): Edge st, knit to M4, slip M4, M1L, knit to M2, M1R, slip M2, knit to end.
  • Row 4 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
  • Row 5 (RS): Same as Row 3.
  • Row 6 (WS): Same as Row 2.
  • Row 7 (RS): Same as Row 3.
  • Row 8 (WS): Same as Row 4.
  • Repeat Rows 1-8 1(1) 1(1) 1(1) time.
  • Repeat Rows 5-8 3(3) 4(4) 4(4) times.
  • Finishing: End on a RS row, knitting the last edge stitch. Break yarn, place stitches on a holder. (105(113) 121(133) 145(157) stitches).

What it teaches: Seamless shoulder joining, executing stepless bind-offs via simultaneous decreases and cast-ons, and managing multi-panel transitions.

6. Left Front Shoulder

The front shoulders are picked up directly from the provisional cast-on of the back shoulders.

  • Setup: Pick up and knit 13(13) 13(17) 17(17) stitches along the left back shoulder edge.
  • Setup: Work 25(25) 27(27) 21(21) rows back and forth in the Textured Pattern, starting with a WS row.
  • Marker Placement: On the RS, place M1 after 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Neck Shaping (Increase every 2nd row):
    • Rows 1-4: Work exactly as described for the Left Back Shoulder neck shaping.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 8(8) 8(7) 7(8) times. (29(29) 29(31) 31(33) stitches).
  • Armhole Shaping: On the RS, place M2 before the last 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Increase at neck and armhole every 2nd row:
    • Rows 1-4: Work exactly as described for the Left Back Shoulder armhole shaping.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 5(6) 7(8) 9(10) times. (49(53) 57(63) 67(73) stitches).
  • Finishing: Break yarn, place on holder.

What it teaches: Picking up stitches from a provisional edge and integrating decorative front shaping.

7. Right Front Shoulder

Mirrors the left front shoulder.

  • Setup: Pick up and knit 13(13) 13(17) 17(17) stitches along the right back shoulder edge.
  • Setup: Work 25(25) 27(27) 21(21) rows in the Textured Pattern, starting with a WS row.
  • Marker Placement: On the RS, place M3 before the last 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Neck Shaping (Increase every 2nd row):
    • Rows 1-4: Work exactly as described for the Right Back Shoulder neck shaping.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 8(8) 8(7) 7(8) times. (29(29) 29(31) 31(33) stitches).
  • Armhole Shaping: On the RS, place M4 after 6(6) 6(8) 8(8) stitches.
  • Increase at neck and armhole every 2nd row:
    • Rows 1-4: Work exactly as described for the Right Back Shoulder armhole shaping.
  • Repeat Rows 1-4 5(6) 7(8) 9(10) times. (49(53) 57(63) 67(73) stitches).

What it teaches: Mirroring complex shaping instructions and maintaining consistent tension across separate flat panels.

8. Front (Joined)

The front is joined seamlessly, mirroring the back construction.

  • Setup: Transfer left front stitches to the needle. Start working from the right front on the RS.
  • Row 1 (RS): Edge st, knit to M4, slip M4, M1L, knit to M3, slip M3, knit to 2 stitches, p2tog, loop cast-on 1 stitch, work left front stitches, p2tog, knit to M1, slip M1, knit to M2, M1R, slip M2, knit to end.
  • Row 2 (WS): Edge st, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M2, p1, slip M2, p1, k1 to 1 stitch before M4, p1, slip M4, p1, k1 to 2 stitches, p2.
  • Rows 3-8: Work exactly as described for the Back Rows 3-8.
  • Repeat Rows 1-8 1(1) 1(1) 1(1) time.
  • For sizes XL, XXL only: Repeat Rows 5-8 1(1) time.
  • Finishing: (105(113) 121(133) 145(157) stitches).

What it teaches: Seamless shoulder joining, executing stepless bind-offs via simultaneous decreases and cast-ons, and managing multi-panel transitions.

9. Body (Seamless in the Round)

The front and back are joined in the round, and the body is worked seamlessly with decorative front shaping.

  • Joining: On the RS, k2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. Loop cast-on 1 stitch. Work back stitches: k2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. Loop cast-on 1 stitch. Place BOR marker and join in the round.
  • Total stitches: 208(224) 240(264) 288(312).
  • Base Pattern: Work in Broken Rib in the round:
    • Round 1: Knit all stitches.
    • Round 2: k1, p1 to end.
    • Repeat Rounds 1-2 2(2) 2(3) 3(4) times.
  • Marker Placement: Place 8 markers without knitting the stitches (slip them to place markers):
    • M1 (right after BOR), 4(4) 4(6) 6(6) sts, M2, 43(47) 51(53) 59(65) sts, M3, 4(4) 4(6) 6(6) sts, M4, 1 st, M5, 4(4) 4(6) 6(6) sts, M6, 43(47) 51(53) 59(65) sts, M7, 4(4) 4(6) 6(6) sts, M8.
  • Decorative Shaping Pattern:
    • Round 1: Knit to M1, M1R, slip M1, knit to M2, slip M2, p2tog, knit to 2 sts before M3, p2tog, slip M3, knit to M4, M1L, knit to M5, M1R, slip M5, knit to M6, slip M6, p2tog, knit to 2 sts before M7, p2tog, knit to M8, slip M8, M1L, knit to BOR.
    • Round 2: k1, p1 to 1 st before M1, k1, slip M1, k1, p1, k1 to 2 sts after M2, k2, slip M3, p1, k1 to M4, slip M4, k1, p1 to 1 st before M5, k1, slip M5, k1, p1 to M6, slip M6, k2, p1, k1 to 1 st before M7, k1, slip M7, p1, k1 to M8, slip M8, k1, p1 to BOR.
    • Round 3: Repeat Round 1.
    • Round 4: k1, p1 to end.
  • Repeat Rounds 1-4 7(8) 8(9) 9(10) times.
  • Hem: Switch to 1x1 rib (k1, p1) and work until the piece measures 30(30) 31(32) 34(35) cm from the underarm.
  • Bind Off: Bind off loosely in pattern.

What it teaches: Transitioning from flat to circular knitting, strategic marker placement for complex garment architecture, and executing decorative paired increases/decreases in the round.

10. Finishing & Blocking

Proper finishing and blocking are critical to setting the fabric and achieving the final, professional dimensions of the camisole.

  • Weaving Ends: Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side. Use a double knot for maximum invisibility, paying special attention to the front neckline joins.
  • Wet Blocking: Submerge the finished garment in cool water (30°C / 86°F) with a gentle wool wash. Soak for 30 minutes, then rinse. Do not wring or twist. Roll in a towel to press out excess water. Lay flat on a dry towel or blocking board, shaping to the finished measurements. Allow to air dry completely.
  • Sizing Note: The recommended yarn may grow 1-2 cm in length after washing. This growth is already accounted for in the recommended body length.

What it teaches: Professional end-weaving techniques for seamless joins, and the transformative power of wet blocking on natural fiber garments.

Final Section: Where to Go from Here

Congratulations! By completing Camisole No. 7, you have mastered advanced top-down construction, seamless shoulder joining, and complex decorative shaping. This project is an excellent stepping stone for designing your own custom-fitted summer garments. From here, try experimenting with different yarn weights to create a cozy winter version, or adapt the decorative marker placement to design your own unique textured blouses. Happy knitting!