These directions are for size 14. Changes for sizes 16 and 18 are in parentheses.
MATERIALS
BERNAT Boucle de Laine—19(19-20) balls
BERNAT Beada—1 tube Silver
1 pair straight knitting needles No. 2 (standard)
1 24 inch circular needle No. 2 (standard)
1 steel crochet hook No. 5
1 slide fastener
1 yd 1 inch elastic
GAUGE: 8 sts = 1 inch; 12 rows = 1 inch
SKIRT
NOTE: Any changes in length of skirt must be worked before first dec round.
Using circular needle, cast on 592(608-624) sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. Work round and round in seed st until piece measures 2½ inches. Oh the next round * K 59(61-63) sts, work 15 sts in seed st, repeat from * to end of round—8 seed st panels. Repeat this round until piece measures 5 inches. FIRST DEC ROUND: * K 2 tog, K 55(57—59) sts, K 2 tog, work 15 sts in seed st, repeat from * to end of round—16 sts dec. Work even 2 inches. SECOND DEC ROUND: * K 2 tog, K 53(55-57) sts, K 2 tog, work 15 sts in seed st, repeat from * to end of round—16 sts dec. Continue to dec 1 st each side of every K panel every 2 inches, having 2 sts less in each K panel on each dec round, until piece measures 12(12-14) inches—528 (544-544) sts. On the next round dec 16 sts in same manner as before and repeat this dec round every 1 inch until piece measures 31(31-32) inches—224(240-256) sts. ON SIZES 16 AND 18 ONLY, on the next round dec 1 st in center of each K panel—8 sts dec. Work 1 inch even. ON ALL SIZES, bind off remaining 224(232-248) sts.
BLOUSE
PATTERN STITCH FOR CACTUS MOTIF
Row 1: Inc 2 sts in st designated by K 1, P 1, K 1 in same st.
Rows 2 and 4: Purl 3 sts.
Row 3: Knit 3 sts.
Row 5: P to 3 sts before pattern, inc 2 sts in next st, P 2, K 3, P 2, inc 2 sts in next st.
Rows 6 and 8: P 3, K 2, P 3, K 2, P 3.
Row 7: K 3, P 2, K 3, P 2, K 3.
Rows 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20: Repeat Row 6.
Rows 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19: Repeat Row 7.
Row 21: P 3 tog, P 2, K 3, P 2, P 3 tog.
Rows 22 and 24: Repeat Row 2.
Row 23: Repeat Row 3.
Row 25: P 3 tog.
These 25 rows will form a cactus motif. Be sure when inc to K 1, P 1, K 1 all in same st.
BACK: Using straight needles, cast on 119(127-135) sts. Work in seed st until piece measures 2 inches. Now work in stockinette st, dec 1 st each end of needle every 1 inch 5 times. Work even on 109(117-125) sts until piece measures 8 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 129(137-145) sts until piece measures 15(15-15½) inches. SHAPE ARMHOLES: At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 7(8-9) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row 5 times. Work even on 105(111-117) sts until armholes measure 1½ inches, ending with a K row. YOKE: On the next row P 7(10-13) sts, * work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P 17 sts, repeat from * ending work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P 7(10-13) sts—6 cactus patterns set up. Continue in stockinette st, following cactus pattern on 6 sts set up on previous row until the 25 pattern rows have been completed. Work even in stockinette st for ¼ inch. On the next row work 45(48-51) sts; seed st on center 15 sts; work remaining 45(48-51) sts. Repeat this row for ¼ inch, ending with a K row. On the next row P 7(10-13) sts, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P 37 sts, seed st on center 15 sts, P 37 sts, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P 7(10-13) sts. Continue to work center 15 sts in seed st, working a cactus pattern at each side as set up until armholes measure 4¼(4½-4¾) inches. BACK OPENING: Work to center st; join another ball of yarn and bind off center st; work to end of row. Work even on both sides at once, keeping 7 sts at each center edge in seed st, until the 25 pattern rows have been completed. Work in stockinette st for ¼ inch, ending with a K row. On the next row P 7(10-13) sts, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P 27 sts, work seed st on remaining 17 sts of right side of back; on left side of back work in seed st on 17 sts, P 27 sts, work Row 1 of pattern st in next st, P 7(10-13) sts. Work a cactus pattern at each side on sts set up, moving seed st 1 st nearer each arm edge EVERY ROW until there are 29(31-31) sts in seed st on each side. Work even in pattern as set up until armholes measure 7¼(7½-7¾) inches, ending with a P row. On the next row K tog each 3 sts of each P 3 cactus pattern—52(55-58) sts on each side. SHAPE SHOULDERS: At each arm edge bind off 7(9-13) sts 5(4-3) times. Bind off remaining 17(19-19) sts of each side.
FRONT: Cast on 127(135-143) sts. Work in seed st until piece measures 2 inches. On the next row P 43(46-48) sts, put a marker on needle, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P 39(41-45) sts, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, put a marker on needle, P 43(46-48) sts. Work a cactus pattern at each side in sts set up and keep all sts outside markers in stockinette st, dec 1 st each end of needle every 1 inch 5 times, forming a new pattern each time ¼ inch above last pattern. Continue to work cactus patterns directly above each other until piece measures 8 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 137(145-153) sts until piece measures approximately 15½(15½-16) inches, ending with Row 18 of pattern. On the next row P 32(35-37) sts, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P 11 sts, work in pattern as set up to last 33(36-38) sts, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P remaining 32(35-37) sts. Work these 2 new cactus patterns on sts set up, continuing in established pattern on all other sts, until 2 center cactus patterns have been completed. SHAPE ARMHOLES: Discontinuing 2 center cactus patterns, at the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 10(11-12) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row 6 times and AT THE SAME TIME, when 18 rows of each cactus pattern are completed, work as follows: P to 12 sts before first cactus pattern, work Row 1 of cactus pattern in next st, work in pattern as set up to 11 sts beyond second cactus pattern, work Row 1 of pattern in next st, P to end of row. Continue in pattern as established, working all sts between 2 new cactus patterns in stockinette st when previous cactus patterns are completed. When these 2 cactus patterns have been completed, work even in stockinette st on 105(111-117) sts for ¼ inch, ending with a K row. Then work 12 rows of a cactus pattern above each cactus pattern just completed. On the next row work in pattern to center 34 sts; work these 34 sts in seed st; work in pattern to end of row. Follow pattern as set up, moving seed st 1 st nearer each arm edge EVERY ROW until there are 58(62-62) sts in seed st. Work even in pattern until cactus patterns are completed. Start 2 more cactus patterns ¼ inch above each cactus pattern just completed and work 2 rows. SHAPE NECK: Work in pattern to center 27(31-31) sts; join another ball of yarn and bind off these 27(31-31) sts; work to end of row. Working on both sides at once, dec 1 st at each neck edge every other row 4 times. Work even until armholes measure 7¼(7½-7¾) inches, ending on wrong side of work. On the next row K tog each 3 sts of each P 3 cactus pattern sts—35(36-39) sts. SHAPE SHOULDERS: At each arm edge bind off 7(9-13) sts 5(4-3) times.
SLEEVES: Cast on 64(64-68) sts. Work in seed st for 2 inches. Then work in stockinette st, inc 1 st each end of needle every ¾ inch until there are 98(104-110) sts. Work even until piece measures 17½(18-18) inches. SHAPE CAP. At the beg of each of the next 2 rows bind off 10(11-12) sts. Dec 1 st each end of needle every other row for 4¼(4½-4¾) inches. At the beg of each of the next 6 rows bind off 3 sts. Bind off remaining sts.
FINISHING: Block each piece. Work 2 rows s c around top edge of skirt. Work a beading on inside top of skirt. Thread a tapestry needle with Beada and using a double strand, embroider 3 times over each stem and top of cactus as shown in photograph. Sew underarm, shoulder and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves. Using yarn, work 1 row s c around all edges. Using Beada, work a chain st outlining seed st borders on neck, sleeve and bottom of blouse. Close back opening with slide fastener. Run elastic, cut to waist measurement through beading and sew ends tog. Re-block skirt and blouse.
Other great patterns from New Handknits, Book No. 22.
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Cactus Skirt & Blouse