These directions are for size 14. Changes for sizes 16 and 18 are in parentheses.
MATERIALS
BERNAT Boucle de Laine—15(16-16) balls Navy; 1 ball each of Red and Grey
1 pair straight knitting needles No. 2 (standard)
1 pair 10 inch d p needles No. 4 (standard)
1 24 inch circular needle No. 2 (standard)
1 steel crochet hook No. 5
3 small buttons
Snap fasteners
1 yd 5 inch grosgrain ribbon
GAUGE: 8 sts = 1 inch; 12 rows = 1 inch
SKIRT
Using circular needle and Navy, cast on 600(610-620) sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. K round and round until piece measures 2(3-2) inches. On the next round * K 120(122-124) sts, put a marker on needle, repeat from * to end of round—5 markers on needle. **DEC ROUND: * K to 2 sts before next marker, K 2 tog, sl 1, K 1, psso, repeat from * to end of round—10 sts dec. Work even for 1 inch. Repeat from ** until piece measures 30(31-31½) inches and there are 320(330-320) sts. On the next round K 2, * K 2 tog, K 1 (* K 1, K 2 tog—* K 2 tog, K 2), repeat from * to end of round—214(220-240) sts. K 1, P 1 in ribbing for 1(½-½) inch. Bind off loosely in ribbing.
BLOUSE
BACK: Using No. 2 needles and Navy, cast on 114(120-128) sts. Work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every ¾ inch 9(10-10) times. Work even on 132(140-148) sts until piece measures 7½(8-8½) inches. SHAPE SLEEVES: At the beg of each of the next 4 rows cast on 6(7-8) sts. Work even on 156(168-180) sts for 1 inch. On the next row inc 1 st each end of needle and repeat this inc every ½ inch until sleeves measure 3¾(4-4¼) inches. BACK OPENING: Work across one half of sts; join another ball of yarn and work to end of row. Working on both sides at once, continue to inc 1 st at each sleeve edge every ½ inch until there are 88(95-102) sts on each side. Work even until sleeves measure 7¾(8-8¼) inches. SHAPE SLEEVES AND SHOULDERS: At each arm edge bind off 8(11-14) sts 9(7-6) times. Bind off remaining 16(18-18) sts of each side.
FRONT: Work in same manner as back, omitting back opening, until sleeves measure 6¼(6½-7) inches. SHAPE NECK: With right side facing you, K 75(80-87) sts; join another ball of yarn and bind off center 26(30-30) sts; K remaining 75(80-87) sts. Working on both sides at once, dec 1 st at each neck edge every other row 3 times. Work even on 72(77-84) sts of each side until sleeves measure 7¾(8-8¼) inches. SHAPE SLEEVES AND SHOULDERS: At each arm edge bind off 8(11-14) sts 9(7-6) times.
PATTERN STITCH FOR ARMBANDS AND CUMMERBUND
Row 1: Using Red, * K 1, bring yarn to front of work and sl 1, throw yarn to back of work, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2: Using Navy and starting at same edge as Row 1, knit.
Row 3: Using Grey and starting at same edge as Row 1, * sl 1, K 1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 4: Using Navy with wrong side facing you, purl.
Row 5: Using Red with wrong side facing you, * P 1, throw yarn to back of work and sl 1, bring yarn to front of work, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 6: Using Navy with right side facing you, knit.
Row 7: Using Grey with wrong side facing you, * P 1, sl 1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 8: Repeat Row 4.
Repeat these 8 rows for pattern stitch.
SLEEVEBANDS: Make 2. Using No. 4 d p needles and Navy, cast on 10 sts. P 1 row. Now work in pattern st, dec 1 st at beg of EVERY K row and inc 1 st at beg of EVERY P row until piece measures 14½(15-15¼) inches. Bind off.
CUMMERBUND: Using No. 4 needles and Navy, cast on 30 sts. Work in stockinette st for 4 rows. On the next row, * K 2, inc in next st, repeat from * to end of row (40 sts). Now work in pattern st, dec 1 st at beg of EVERY K row and inc 1 st at beg of EVERY P row until piece measures 2 inches less than desired waist measurement, ending with a wrong side row. Using Navy, * K 2, K 2 tog, repeat from * to end of row (30 sts). Work in stockinette st for 4 rows. Bind off.
FINISHING: Using Navy, work 2 rows s c around bottom edge of skirt. Work a beading on inside waistline of skirt. Sew underarm and shoulder seams of blouse. Work 2 rows s c around neck and back opening, forming 3 buttonloops on right back edge. Block blouse and skirt. Block sleeve-bands to measure 15½(16-16½) inches. Block cummerbund to waist measurement. Bind each sleeve edge with sleeve band. Sew buttons on left back edge. Sew skirt and blouse tog. Run elastic, cut to waist measurement, through beading. Cut grosgrain ribbon to desired waist measurement and line cummerbund. Close cummerbund with snap fasteners. Re-block.
Other great patterns from New Handknits, Book No. 22.
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