Construction
Worked in flat pieces from the bottom up, the shell features straight sides; only the larger sizes include a slight taper to accommodate hips. The bodice is shaped in both front and back, widening towards English-tailored shoulders: the front armhole is deeper than the Back armhole and wraps over the top of the shoulder for an angled seam lying neatly behind the shoulder line.
What's Included
This knitting pattern includes written directions, both charts and written instructions, modification notes, sizing and fit notes, front and back images and a schematic with measurements.
Sizes + Finished Measurements
Finished chest circumference: 30 (32 ¼, 34 ¼, 35 ¾, 38)(40 ¾, 45 ¾, 48 ¾, 51 ¾)(56 ¾, 60 ¼, 66, 71, 74 ¾)” / 76 (82, 87, 91, 96.5)(103.5, 116, 124, 131.5)(144, 153, 167.5, 180.5, 190) cm.
Hip circumference: 30 (32 ¼, 34 ¼, 35 ¾, 38)(42 ¾, 47 ¼, 50 ¾, 53 ¾)(58 ¼, 61 ¾, 66, 72 ½, 78 ¼)” / 76 (82, 87, 91, 96.5)(108.5, 120, 129, 136.5)(148, 157, 167.5, 184, 199) cm.
Back length: 19 ½ (19 ½, 20 ¼, 20 ¾, 21 ¾)(22, 23 ½, 23 ½, 23 ¾)(23 ¾, 24 ¾, 24 ¾, 24 ¾, 24 ¾)” / 49.5 (49.5, 51.5, 52.5, 55)(56, 59.5, 59.5, 60.5)(60.5, 63, 63, 63, 63) cm.
Designed to be worn with 2–3″/5-7.5cm positive ease in full chest and 1.5–3″/4-7.5cm positive ease in hip. Sample is 38″ (96.5 cm); model is 35″ (89 cm).
Sizing + Fit Notes
Sizing for the five smaller sizes is based on a 2″/5cm difference between full chest and upper chest. Upper chest is the measurement around the torso with the measuring tape at the underarm level.
For the 6th to 11th sizes there’s a 4″/10cm difference between full and upper chest.
For the three largest sizes there’s a 6″/15cm difference between full and upper chest. This may be a little different than other patterns and reflects measurements of contemporary real-life bodies. In garment design, a 2/4/6″ (5/10/15 cm) difference between full and upper chest is referred to as a B/D/F cup respectively, which differ from bra cup sizes.
There is slight A-line shaping from hip to chest in the larger sizes to accommodate a wider hip measurement.
Yarn
Sport weight yarn cotton or plant fibre blend;
470 (505, 550, 590, 635)(710, 835, 875, 930)(1020, 1115, 1215, 1310, 1380) yd / 430 (465, 505, 540, 580)(650, 760, 800, 850)(930, 1020, 1115, 1195, 1265) m.
Shown in Knit Picks Shine (sport weight, 60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal (natural beech wood fibre); 110 yards/50g): Dandelion 25340, 5 (5, 5, 6, 6)(7, 8, 8, 9)(10, 11, 11, 12, 13) balls.
Substitution Notes
Choose a sport weight yarn. The original is a cotton/viscose blend that works up to 6 sts per inch/2.5cm on 3.25mm-3.75mm (US3-5) needles. Plant fibres will substitute well. Or for a layered look in cooler months, wool or wool blends would be a good choice.
Gauge
23 sts and 34 rows = 4″/10cm in Stockinette Stitch using larger needles, blocked.
Needles + Notions
3.5mm (US 4) straight or circular needles (24″/60cm or longer), or size to obtain gauge;
3.25mm (US 3) for working neckband and armbands in the round: 16″/40cm circular needle, or 24″/60cm needles two circulars technique or 32″/80cm or longer circular needles for Magic Loop technique, or one size smaller than size used to obtain gauge;
Yarn Needle;
Stitch Markers (at last 4 locking markers).
Skills
Increases/decreases, cabled decreases, working simple lace from chart or written instructions, basic sweater construction, English-tailored shoulders (instructions included), seamed, worked flat, picking up stitches.
Related Tutorials
Cabled Decreases
Cast On Too Tight?
Estimate Tail Length for Cast On
Long Tail Cast On
Raised Increases Photo Tutorial
Raised Increases Video Tutorial
SSK & SSP Decreases
