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© Knitty 2002-2006. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. This means you.

 


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by Alexandra Virgiel

Here's a feminine, lightweight cotton camisole for summer, with flattering waist shaping and easy lace edging. It's knitted in the round, so you'll only need to sew two short seams. Neckline and armholes are finished with simple crochet.

This top is designed for zero or negative ease.

model: A. Virgiel photos: Robert Schauer
SIZE
To fit busts 33-35 [36-38, 39-41, 42-44, 45-47] inches (size 36-38 shown)
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 33 [36, 39, 42, 45] inches
Length from underarm: 13 [13.5, 13.5, 14, 14] inches
 

MATERIALS

Elann Endless Summer Collection Sonata [100% mercerized cotton; 115yd/106m per 50g skein]; color: #7009 Chamois; 5 [5, 6, 7, 8] skeins

If Sonata is not available, Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patine, Amazon Cotton DK, or Plymouth Wildflower DK may be substituted.

24 or 29 inch US 6/4mm circular needle
Size D/3.25mm crochet hook
tapestry needle
stitch markers
stitch holders or waste yarn
GAUGE

22 sts/33 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

 
PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations can be found here]

All increases are worked using the m1 (make one) method.
Use a Long Tail CO or other elastic CO method.
DIRECTIONS

Lower Body
With circular needle, loosely CO 150[160, 180, 190, 200] sts. Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker at beg of round. Work 8rounds of Lace Chart 3 times. K 1 round.

Next Round: K4, m1, *k11[8, 9, 7, 6], m1, rep from * 12[18, 18, 24, 30] times more, k rem 3(4, 5, 11, 10) sts. 164[180, 200, 216, 232] sts.

Next Round: K82[90, 100, 108, 116], pm, k to end.

K 3 rounds.

Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before marker, ssk, k2, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

K 5 rounds even.

Repeat these 6 rounds twice more. 152[168, 188, 204, 220] sts.

Continue in st st until body measures 7[7.5, 7.5, 8, 8] inches.

Increase Round: K2, m1, k to 2 sts before marker, m1, k4, m1, k to last 2 sts, m1, k2.

K 5 rounds even.

Repeat these 6 rounds 6 times more. 180[196, 216, 232, 248] sts.

Continue in st st until body measures 12[12.5, 12.5, 13, 13] inches.

Divide for Neckline
Next Round: K 45[49, 54, 58, 62], turn.
P 1 row across all sts. You will now work back and forth in stst, beginning and ending rows at the place you just turned your work. This is the center front of the vee neckline.
Next row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows once more. Work RS row once more.

Divide Back and Front for Armholes
Next Row: P to marker and place 42[46, 51, 55, 59] sts just worked on a holder or waste yarn, BO next 7[9, 9, 10, 10] sts, p to marker, turn. Place rem 42[46, 51, 55, 59] front sts on another holder or waste yarn.

Upper Back
Next Row [RS]: BO 7 [9, 9, 10, 10] sts, k to end.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[3, 4, 4, 5] times more. 68[72, 80, 86, 92] sts.
Continue without shaping until work measures 5[5.5, 6, 6.5, 6.5] inches above beg of armhole, ending with a WS row.

Back Neck
Next Row [RS]: K16[18, 18, 20, 22], join new yarn, BO 36[36, 44, 46, 48] sts, k to end.
Working both sides at the same time, continue without further shaping until work measures 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.5] inches above beg of armhole. BO all sts.

Upper Fronts
Replace sts for Left Front on needle. Reattach yarn and p 1 WS row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 7 [9, 9, 10, 10] sts, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 34[36, 41, 44, 48] sts rem.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[3, 4, 4, 5] times more. 26[28, 31, 34, 36] sts rem.
Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 9[9, 12, 13, 13] times more. 16[18, 18, 20, 22] sts rem.
Continue without further shaping until work measures same as back to choulder. BO all sts.
Replace sts for Right Front on needle with WS facing. Reattach yarn, BO 7 [9, 9, 10, 10] sts and p to end. 35[37, 42, 45, 49] sts rem.
Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[3, 4, 4, 5] times more. 27[29, 32, 35, 37] sts rem.
Next Row [RS]: k1, k2tog, k to end.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 10[10, 13, 14, 14] times more. 16[18, 18, 20, 22] sts rem.
Continue without further shaping until work measures same as back to choulder. BO all sts.
 
FINISHING

Seam shoulders. Work 1 row of single crochet around neckline and armholes. You may need to experiment to find the right number of stitches for a flat finish; the general rule is one sc for every knitted st and two sc for every three knitted rows.

Weave in ends. Wash and block, stretching and pinning lace out to measurements. Let dry thoroughly before unpinning.

Tip: If armholes do not lie flat after blocking, try adding another row of single crochet.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Alexandra's designs have appeared in Knitty and MagKnits. More of her patterns can be found at artisokka.com.
Pattern & images © 2005 Alexandra Virgiel. Contact Alexandra