Hand-stitched sweaters grow like a garden, from the seed of an idea, then stitch by stitch, slowly blossoming into the light of day. Isa Catepillán discovered the connection last year when she watched her first garden grow at the same time she hooked up her wonderfully earthy Terra-Madre Top.

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

Meaning “Mother Earth,” Isa’s Terra-Madre Top leans into bucolic details while keeping an eye on the overall elegance of the garden. A swingy loose fit and a fluted texture is punctuated by eyelets in the yoke and classic ribbing along the edges. Balloon sleeves with drawstring tassels ensure the whole thing skews charming!

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

Worked from top down, you’ll start your Terra-Madre Top with a ribbed strip that you sew into loop for the neckline. You then pick up around its edge and crochet in one piece down to the bottom, using a simple double crochet into the back loop pattern. You make another ribbed strip for the hem, then work the sleeves, finishing them off with drawstrings woven into the ends.

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

While Isa’s garden planted the idea for her Terra-Madre Top, our Spectrum Silk inspired its easy-going whimsy. A wonderfully down-to-earth silk, it has a very gentle shine, a lovely hand, and a simple, rustic beauty.

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

We love the warm Ginger Brown and tangy Spicy Mustard colors we used to hook up our versions, but we can imagine every single color bringing its personality to the party… Pick your favorite and watch your garden grow!

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

Designed for Purl Soho by Isa Catepillán.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoTerraMadreTop and #PurlSohoSpectrumSilk. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!

UPDATE: NOW IN PICNIC COTTON

JULY 2022

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

Our beautiful Picnic Cotton creates a fabric with just the right amount of earthy charm for Isa’s design. Made in Peru from 100% organically grown Pima cotton, this yarn features a colored thread (in this case, a pearly gray) wrapped around a fluffy white core, which is reminiscent of the cotton bolls that started it all and a beautiful reminder with each stitch of the many gifts of “Terra-Madre”!   

Materials

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho
  • 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) (11, 12, 13, 15) skeins of Purl Soho’s Spectrum Silk, 100% silk. Each skein is approximately 153 yards/ 50grams; approximately 910 (980, 1150, 1300, 1420, 1570) (1660, 1830, 1920, 2060, 2450) yards required. We used the color Spicy Mustard for sample on model and Ginger Brown for other.
  • A size D (3.25 mm) crochet hook
  • 2 removeable stitch markers
  • A Terra-Madre Top pattern

Gauge

23 dcs and 9 rounds = 4 inches in double crochet in back loop only, after blocking

Sizes

31 (32½, 36, 38¾, 42½, 45) (47¼, 49¾, 52, 55¾, 61)

To fit actual high hip circumference of approximately 27–29 (28–31, 32–34, 34–37, 38–40, 41–43) (43–45, 46–48, 48–50, 51–54, 55–59) inches with 2–4 inches of ease

NOTE: This design is very roomy through chest. Choose size based on high hip measurement (below waist, about level with tops of jeans’ back pockets).

Finished High Hip Circumference: 31 (32½, 36, 38¾, 42½, 45) (47¼, 49¾, 52, 55¾, 61) inches
Finished Length From Shoulder To Bottom Edge: 15½ (15½, 16¼, 17, 17¾, 18½) (18½, 19¼, 19¼, 19½, 20) inches

Sample: The sweaters shown here are size 36, worn with 4 inches of ease at the high hip.

Pattern

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

The Terra-Madre Top pattern is available for purchase exclusively as a PDF download.

Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho
Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho
Isa Catepillán For Purl Soho: Terra-Madre Top | Purl Soho

Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!