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by Natalie Wilson

How now? Why, it's a tunic reminiscent of dewy sprouts in the early spring garden!

The stitch pattern used in this light and drapey tunic shows off the structure of the ribbon yarn and its matte and shiny textures.

Like all sprouts, this one needs a good watering to really flourish (thoroughly wetting and then blocking will set the stitches and facilitate neat finishing). The wide neckline and the slippery yarn collaborate to reveal an emergent shoulder now and again.

Any way you knit it, you will have a pretty sweater sure to coordinate with a bouquet of spring flowers: real or silk, home-grown or store-bought, March or May!

model/photo: Natalie Wilson

SIZE
S[M, L, XL, XXL]
Shown in size XL
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 38[42, 46, 50, 54] inches
Length: 24[25, 26, 27, 28] inches

 

MATERIALS

Berroco Zen [40% cotton/60% nylon; 110 yds per 50 g skein]; Color: Wasabi Green (8225); 7[8, 9, 10, 11] skeins

1 set US #9/5.5 mm double-point needles
1 set US #9/5.5 mm straight needles
1 set US #8/5.0 mm straight needles
Stitch holders (4)

 
GAUGE

16 sts/20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
In patt: 16 sts/24 rows = 4 inches wide / 5 inches tall

 
DIRECTIONS

Stitch Pattern (24 row repeat; also see Chart)
Row 1 (RS): K.
Row 2 (WS): P.
Row 3: K.
Row 4: P.
Row 5: K.
Row 6: K.
Row 7: K.
Row 8: K.
Row 9: K, wrapping yarn twice for each st.
Row 10: K, dropping each extra wrap.
Row 11: K.
Row 12: K.
Row 13: K.
Row 14: P.
Row 15: K.
Row 16: P.
Row 17: K.
Row 18: K.
Row 19: K.
Row 20: K.
Row 21: K, wrapping yarn 3 times for each st.
Row 22: K, dropping each extra wrap.
Row 23: K.
Row 24: K.

Back
With US #8 needles, CO 76[84, 92, 100, 108] sts.
K 6 rows.
Change to US #9 needles and work even in patt, beg with Row 1, until piece measures 15[16, 16, 17, 17.5] inches from CO edge.


Beg armhole shaping

BO 8 sts at beg of next 2 rows (Note: These should NOT be rows with extra wraps.)
Cont working even in patt until piece measures 8[8, 9, 9, 9.5] inches from armhole shaping.

Beg neck shaping
Work 14[18, 20, 22, 26] sts, BO center 32[32, 36, 40, 40] sts, then work rem 14[18, 20, 22, 26] sts.
Cont in patt, work each side of neck separately for 1 inch, then place sts on holders.

Front
Work as for Back.

Sleeves (Make 2)
With US #8 needles, CO 36[36, 40, 40, 44] sts.
K 6 rows.
C hange to US #9 needles and work in patt, beg with Row 1 AND AT THE SAME TIME inc 1 st at beg and end of this row and every 4th foll row until there are 72[72, 80, 80, 84] sts on the needle.
Work even until sleeve measures 18[18, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5] inches from CO edge.
BO.

 
FINISHING

Block pieces to measurements.
Place shoulder sts on double-pointed needles.
With right sides together, join back and front at shoulders using 3-needle BO technique (see http://www.wonderful-things.com/newknit6a.htm).
Sew sleeves into armholes, piercing yarn forming elongated stitches on armhole edges of fronts and backs as necessary to create a smooth and even seam.
Starting 8 inches up from lower edge to create side slits, sew side and sleeve seams.

 
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
This is Natalie's second contribution to Knitty.

As winter continues in Michigan, where dewy sprouts are a distant memory, she is spending more and more time gazing upon the green section of her yarn stash.

Pattern & images © 2003 Natalie Wilson. Contact Natalie.