These directions are for size 14. Changes for sizes 16 and 18 are in parentheses.
MATERIALS
BERNAT Merlaine—26(27-28) skeins
1 pair each straight knitting needles Nos. 4 and 10 (standard)
1 set each d p needles Nos. 4 and 10 (standard)
1 steel crochet hook No. 1
1 yd 1 inch elastic
GAUGE: 9 sts = 2 inches; 6 rows = 1 inch
SKIRT
Note 1: The directions for the skirt allow 3 inches for blocking when completed.
Note 2: Any changes in length of skirt are made after last inc round.
Note 3: Work each increase as follows: Using right hand needle, pick up 1 st of previous round from back of next st.
Note 4: Skirt is started at the top and worked to bottom.
Using d p needles No. 10 and double strand of yarn, cast on 120(126-138) sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. K round and round until piece measures 1 inch. On the next round * K 20(21-23) sts, put a marker on needle, repeat from * to end of round—6 markers on needle. FIRST INC ROUND: Starting at beg of a round * K to 1 st before next marker, inc, K 2, inc, repeat from * to end of round—12 sts inc. Work even for 1 inch. On the next round inc 12 sts in same manner as before and repeat this inc round every 1 inch until piece measures 7 inches—192(198-210) sts. On the next round inc in same manner as before and repeat this inc round every 3 inches until piece measures 25 inches and there are 264(270-282) sts. On the next round inc in same manner as before. Then work even on 276(282-294) sts for 3(3½-4) inches. Bind off all sts.
BLOUSE
BACK: Using No. 10 straight needles and double strand of yarn, cast on 60(65-69) sts. Work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every 1 inch 6 times. Work even on 72(77-81) sts until piece measures 8(8-8½) inches. SHAPE ARMHOLES: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 4(4-5) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row 2(3-3) times. Work even on 60(63-65) sts until armholes measure 7¼(7½-7¾) inches. SHAPE SHOULDERS: At the beg of each of the next 4(6-6) rows bind off 10(7-7) sts. Put remaining 20(21-23) sts on a holder.
FRONT: Using No. 10 straight needles and double strand of yarn, cast on 65(69-74) sts. Work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every 1 inch 6 times. Work even on 77(81-86) sts until piece measures 8(8-8½) inches. SHAPE ARMHOLES AND NECK: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 5(5-6) sts. On the next row work 33(35-37) sts; join another ball of yarn; ON SIZES 14 AND 16 ONLY, bind off center st; ON ALL SIZES, work remaining 33(35-37) sts. Working on both sides at once, dec 1 st at each arm edge every other row 3(3-4) times and AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st at each neck edge every 4th(4th-3rd) row until 20(21-21) sts remain. Work even on both sides at once until armholes measure 7¼(7½-7¾) inches. SHAPE SHOULDERS: At each arm edge bind off 10(7-7) sts 2(3-3) times.
SLEEVES: Using No. 4 straight needles, and double strand of yarn, cast on 45(49-53) sts. K 1, P 1 in ribbing for 1 inch. Change to No. 10 straight needles and work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every ¾ inch until there are 55(59-63) sts. Work even until piece measures 6(6-6½) inches. SHAPE CAP: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 5(5-6) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row for 4½(4½-4¾) inches. At the beg of each of the next 6 rows bind off 2 sts. Bind off remaining sts.
FINISHING: Sew underarm, shoulder and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves. NECKBAND: Using No. 4 d p needles and with right side of work facing you, pick up 20(21-23) sts from holder at back of neck; on second needle pick up 50(52-54) sts along left front neck; on third needle pick up 50(52-54) sts along right front neck. Round 1: K 1, P 1 in ribbing to last 4(3-3) sts of second needle, K 4(3-3) sts. At the beg of the third needle, K 3, P 1, * K 1, P 1, repeat from * to end of round. Round 2: K 1, P 1 in ribbing to last 3 sts of second needle, K 2 tog, K 1; on the third needle K 1, sl 1, K 1, psso, P 1, K 1 in ribbing to end of round. Round 3: Work in K 1, P 1 ribbing, being sure to follow pattern at point of V. Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until band measures 1 inch. Bind off in ribbing. Using double strand of yarn, work 2 rows s c around bottom edge of skirt and 1 row s c on top edge of skirt. Work a beading on inside top of skirt. Sew skirt and blouse tog. Block to size. Run elastic, cut to waist measurement, through beading and sew ends tog.
Other great patterns from New Handknits, Book No. 22.
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