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Archive entry for May 2018

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May 2018

Day Blouse

DayBlouse.jpg

A pretty knitted "blouse" - spoken with a soft "s" as in "mouse" I suspect (maybe you pronounce it like that anyway). Presumably you could go wild and try wearing it other than in daylight hours.

Instructions.

Instructions for larger size is given in brackets. Where one set of figures is given this applies to both sizes.

Back

**
Using the pair of No 13 (2¼mm) needles cast on 117 (127) stitches and work in rib as follows:

1st row (right side facing): * p2, k3; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
2nd row: * k2, p3; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 3 inches ending with 2nd row.

Now increase as follows:

Next row: * p1, pick up horizontal thread before next stitch and purl into back of it, p1, k3; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p1, pick up and purl horizontal thread as before, p1. [141 (153) sts]

Continue in k3, p3 rib until work measures 8 () inches from start. With right side facing, change to stocking stitch, starting with a knit row, and shape sides by increasing 1 stitch at each end of the 3rd (5th) and every following 6th row until there are 153 (163) stitches.
Continue straight until work measures 11½ (12) inches down centre.

With right side facing, shape armholes by casting off 9 (9) stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then decrease 1 stitch at each end of every knit row until 121 (131) stitches remain.
Mark each end of the last row with a coloured thread.
**

Now continue straight in stocking stitch until armholes measure 6 () inches from markers. With right side facing, shape shoulders by casting off 10 (11) stitches at the beginning of the following 8 rows; cast off remaining 41 (43) stitches.

Front

Work as for back from ** to **. [121 (131) sts]

Next row: Purl.

With right side facing, divide for neck as follows:
Next row: knit 60 (65), turn, and leave remaining stitches on a spare
needle or stitch holder.
Continue on first 60 (65) stitches, decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge on every following knit row until 40 (44) stitches remain.
Work straight until armhole measures 6 () inches from marker.

With right side facing, shape shoulder by casting off 10 (11) stitches at the beginning of the next and following 3 alternate rows, at the armhole edge.

With right side facing, rejoin wool to remaining 61 (66) stitches, cast off centre stitch and knit to end.
Finish to correspond with first shoulder.

Making Up

Press only the stocking stitch parts on the wrong side under a damp
cloth.
Join shoulder seams.

With the pair of No 13 needles and right side facing, pick up and knit 148 (156) stitches all round each armhole.
Work 7 rows in k2/p2 rib.
Cast off in rib.

Join side seams.

Collar:
Using the set of four No 13 needles, or circular needle to facilitate working, continue for collar as follows:
Start by casting on 30 (30) stitches for the bow, then on to the same needle and with right side facing, pick up and knit 70 (75) stitches up right side of neck; on to the 2nd needle pick up and knit 41 (43) stitches across the back of the neck; on to the 3rd needle pick up and knit 70 (75) stitches down left side of neck, then finally cast on 30 (30) stitches for the other end of the bow. [241 (253) sts]


Divide the stitches equally on the 3 needles and continue as follows:

Next row: Purl.

* Continue in stocking-stitch, increasing 1 stitch at each end of the following 6 knit rows, then decreasing 1 stitch at each end of the following 6 knit rows*. Repeat from * to * once more.
Next row: Purl.
Cast off.

Fold the collar in half with right side inside, then join points and side edge of the cast-on stitches for bow. Turn right side out and press, then fold rest of collar in half all round neck to wrong side and slip-hem in position. Press seams and collar.

Slip ends of collar through scarf ring to form a bow as shown in photograph.

Altering the size

It would be feasible to increase the size by knitting in a thicker yarn - but you do need to make a swatch and do some arithmetic. Even changing to a 4 ply with 3¼mm needles could change your chest size from a modest 34 to over 40 inches.

Materials

6 (6) ozs 3 ply.

A pair of No 13 (2¼mm) needles.

A set of 4 No 13 (2¼mm) needles (or a circular) for the collar.

One scarf ring.

Tension

36 sts to 4 ins in garter stitch on No 13 needles.

Size matters

To fit 33-34 (35-36) inch chest; length from top of shoulders 18¾ (19¾) inches

Abbreviations

k2tog or p2tog: knit or purl 2 sts together (decrease one stitch).

stocking stitch: one row knit and one row purl, ("stockinette")

A word on the wool.

Susan Crawford, who specialises in vintage knits, offers lovely Fenella wool which "knits up to that elusive vintage ‘3 ply’ tension".

Jamiesons have an excellent range of colours in "2ply laceweight" which states: This yarn can be used in vintage patterns which call for "3ply yarns".

John Arbon has some wonderful laceweight that looks suitable.

Disclaimer
(well...almost)

In transposing any pattern it is always a risk that errors will be introduced, in spite of dedicated proof reading.
If you have any problems with this pattern, please and I will try and assist.

© Christina Coutts 2007

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