These directions are for size 14. Changes for sizes 16 and 18 are in parentheses.
MATERIALS
BERNAT Merlaine—30(31-32) skeins
1 pair straight knitting needles No. 2 (standard)
1 24 inch circular needle No. 2 (standard)
14 buttons
1½ yds of 1½ inch grosgrain ribbon
1 yd 1 inch elastic
1 pair shoulder pads
GAUGE: 7 sts = 1 inch; 10 rows = 1 inch
SKIRT
NOTE: Any changes in length of skirt are made before first dec round.
Using circular needle, cast on 420(430-440) sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. K round and round until piece measures 2 inches. FIRST DEC ROUND: * K 40(41-42) sts, K 2 tog, repeat from * to end of round—10 sts dec. K round and round for 2 inches. SECOND DEC ROUND: * K 39(40-41) sts, K 2 tog, repeat from * to end of round—10 sts dec. Continue to dec in this manner every 2 inches, having 1 st less between dec on each dec round, until piece measures 19(19-23) inches—330(340-330) sts. On the next round dec 10 sts in same manner as before and repeat this dec round every 1 inch until piece measures 29½ inches—220(230-260) sts. On the next round dec 10 sts in same manner as before and repeat this dec round every ½ inch until piece measures 31(31-32) inches. Bind off remaining 190(200-210) sts.
JACKET
BACK: Using straight needles, cast on 102(110-116) sts. Work in stockinette st, dec 1 st each end of needle every 1 inch 5 times. Work even on 92(100-106) sts until piece measures 7 inches. On the next row inc 1 st each end of needle and repeat this inc every ¾ inch 9 times more. Work even on 112(120-126) sts until piece measures 15(15-15½) inches. SHAPE ARMHOLES: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 6(7-7) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row 4(5-5) times. Work even on 92(96-102) sts until armholes measure 7¼(7½-7¾) inches. SHAPE SHOULDERS: At the beg of each of the next 6(8-6) rows bind off 10(8-11) sts. Bind off remaining 32(32-36) sts.
PATTERN STITCH
Row 1: * P 2, K 2, repeat from * ending P 2.
Rows 2 and 3: * K 2, P 2, repeat from * ending K 2.
Rows 4 and 5: Repeat Row 1.
Row 6: Repeat Row 2.
Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: Purl.
Repeat these 8 rows for pattern stitch.
LEFT FRONT: Using straight needles, cast on 60(63-67) sts. Work in stockinette st, keeping 10 sts at front edge in pattern st for front border, for 1 inch. On the next row dec 1 st at arm edge and repeat this dec every 1 inch 4 times more. Work even on 55(58-62) sts until piece measures 7 inches. On the next row inc 1 st at arm edge and repeat this inc every ¾ inch 9 times more. Work even on 65(68-72) sts until piece measures 15(15-15½) inches. SHAPE ARMHOLE: At arm edge bind off 9(10-11) sts. Dec 1 st at same edge every other row 5 times. Work even on 51(53-56) sts until armhole measures 5¼(5½-5¾) inches. SHAPE NECK: At front edge bind off 13(13-15) sts once and 2 sts 4 times. Work even on 30(32-33) sts until armhole measures 7¼(7½-7¾) inches. SHAPE SHOULDER: At arm edge bind off 10(8-11) sts 3(4-3) times.
RIGHT FRONT: Work to correspond with left front, reversing shaping and forming first buttonhole when piece measures ½ inch. BUTTONHOLE: Starting at front edge, work 3 sts; bind off next 4 sts; work to end of row. On the next row cast on 4 sts over 4 sts bound off previous row. Make 13 more buttonholes, evenly spaced—the last one to be made ½ inch below start of neck shaping.
SLEEVES: Using straight needles, cast on 74(74-78) sts. Work in pattern st for 1½ inches. Change to stockinette st and inc 1 st each end of needle every ½ inch until there are 86(92-96) sts. Work even until piece measures 5(5-5½) inches. SHAPE CAP: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 9(10-11) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row for 4¼(4½-4¾) inches. At the beg of each of the next 4 rows bind off 3 sts. Bind off remaining sts.
COLLAR: Using straight needles, cast on 94(94-98) sts. Work in pattern st, inc 1 st each end of needle every 3rd row, until piece measures 2½ inches. Bind off.
POCKETS: Make 2. Using straight needles, cast on 38(38-42) sts. Work in pattern st until piece measures 4 inches. Bind off.
FINISHING: Work 2 rows s c on bottom and top edges of skirt. Make a beading at inside top of skirt. Sew underarm, shoulder and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves. Sew collar in place to within ¾ inch of each front edge. Work 1 row s c on sleeve, bottom, front, collar and pocket edges. Buttonhole st around each buttonhole. Block skirt, jacket and pockets. Run elastic, cut to waist measurement, through beading and sew ends tog. Sew pockets in place as shown in photograph. Face each front with grosgrain ribbon. Sew buttons on left front. Sew in shoulder pads.
Other great patterns from New Handknits, Book No. 22.
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