INTRODUCTION

About Lace

by Merri Fromm

Finding the line between what I find interesting and enjoyable to knit, and what I actually want to wear isn’t easy. I love to knit bright colors but I like to wear black. I love to knit more complicated things but I like to wear simple shapes. Allover lace is great because it’s fun, especially an easy lace pattern like this one. I love this lace pattern because it works as lovely texture with flattering strong vertical lines. And since the shape is simple and classic, it is flattering to wear.

Worked from the bottom up, this sweater is virtually seamless, with the sleeves picked up and knit in the round and the shoulders completed with a 3-needle bind off. The collar is picked up last and worked in the round. The stitches for the sleeves are picked up from the finished body and knit in the round to the cuff making such a pretty finish at the shoulders. Bracelet length sleeves, worked in stockinette, become a backdrop to the lace texture and are just the right warmth for cool fall days.

model: Merri Fromm

photos: Gaius Nelson

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X]
shown in size 1X with 4 inches/10 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 33.5[36.75, 40, 43.25, 46.5, 49.5, 52.75, 56, 59.25, 62.5] / 85[93.5, 101.5, 110, 118, 125.5, 134, 142, 150.5, 159] cm
Length: 22.75[22.75, 24.25, 24.25, 25.75, 26.5, 26.5, 27.5, 28.25, 28.25] inches / 58[58, 61.5, 61.5, 65.5, 67.5, 67.5, 70, 72, 72] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Louet Gems Fine/Sport Weight [100% Merino Wool; 225 yd/206 m per 100 g skein]; color: Limestone; 4[5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #4/3.5mm circular needle, 32 to 40 inches/80 to 100 cm long
1 US #5/3.75mm circular needle, 32 to 40 inches/80 to 100 cm long
1 US #4/3.5mm circular needle, 16 inches/40 cm long
1 set US #4/3.5mm double pointed needles for working small circumferences in the round

Notions
waste yarn
2 stitch markers
stitch holders
yarn needle

GAUGE

24 sts/32 rows/rnds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch with larger needles, after blocking
20 sts/30 rows/rnds = 4 inches/10 cm in Eyelet Arch Lace stitch with larger needles, after blocking

PATTERN NOTES

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

The Eyelet Arch Lace Pattern is stretchy and can be blocked to accommodate a range of sizes; please refer to the schematic when choosing a size.

A video tutorial for the Long-Tail Tubular Cast on can be found here. Work the 2 set-up rows as shown in the video, keeping the sts arranged for 1x1 rib.

A video tutorial for the Tubular Bind off can be found here.

K1, P1 Rib (worked in the rnd; multiple of 2 sts)
Rnd 1: (K1, p1) around.
Rep this rnd for patt.

Eyelet Arch Lace Pattern (worked flat; multiple of 8 sts + 1)
Row 1 [RS]: *K1, yo, k2, S2KPO, k2, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rows 2, 4 & 6 [WS]: Purl.
Row 3: *K2, yo, k1, S2KPO, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 5: *K3, yo, S2KPO, yo, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep last 6 rows for patt.

Eyelet Arch Lace Pattern (worked in the round; multiple of 8 sts + 1)
Rnd 1: *K1, yo, k2, S2KPO, k2, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnds 2, 4 & 6: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K2, yo, k1, S2KPO, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 5: *K3, yo, S2KPO, yo, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep last 6 rnds for patt.

Construction notes:
When shaping the neckline with decreases, be sure to only work the increases in the lace pattern if you are also able to work its corresponding decrease. If you are not able to work both the decrease and yarnover to balance the lace patt stitch count, work partial repeats in St st, changing the S2KPO to a SSK to balance the yarnover in the other half of the repeat.

DIRECTIONS

Hem
Using smaller long circ and tubular cast-on, CO 168[184, 200, 216, 232, 248, 264, 280, 296, 312] sts and work set-up rows as for tutorial. Pm for beg of rnd and join to work in the round, ensuring that first st of rnd is a knit st.

Work in K1, P1 rib until work measures 2 inches/5 cm from cast-on.

Change to larger circ. Remove m, k1. This position is the new beg of rnd.

Body
Next rnd: *Pm, p1, k1, p1, work Rnd 1 of Eyelet Arch Lace Patt over next 81[89, 97, 105, 113, 121, 129, 137, 145, 153] sts, working 8-st rep 10[11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19] times; rep from * once more.

Patt rnd: *Sl m, p1, k1, p1, work next rnd of Eyelet Arch Lace Patt to m; rep from * once more.

Cont in rib and Lace Patt as est until a total of 16[16, 17, 17, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18] 6-rnd repeats of chart have been worked, then work Rnds 1-5 of chart once more.

Divide for Front and Back:
Next rnd [WS]: Turn and p 84[92, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156] sts (this counts as Row 6 of Lace Patt). Place remaining 84[92, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156] sts of rnd on holder for Front. Remove both markers. Turn and cont on rem sts for Back.

Next row [RS]: BO 3 sts, work Eyelet Arch Lace Patt to end. 81[89, 97, 105, 113, 121, 129, 137, 145, 153] sts.

Work even in patt until Back measures approx. 7.25[7.25, 8, 8, 8.75, 9.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.25, 11.25] inches/ 18.5[18.5, 20.5, 20.5, 22, 24, 24, 26.5, 28.5, 28.5] cm from armhole, ending after Row 5 of Lace patt.

Next row [WS]: P 24[26, 29, 31, 33, 37, 40, 44, 47, 51] , BO 33[37, 39, 43, 47, 47, 49, 49, 51, 51] sts, p to end. 24[26, 29, 31, 33, 37, 40, 44, 47, 51] sts rem for each shoulder.

Break yarn and place each set of sts on a separate holder.

Left Front
With RS facing, place first 44[48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80] sts held for Front on larger needle for Left Front, leaving rem 40[44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76] sts for Right Front on holder. With WS facing, join yarn to Left Front sts at center front (neck) edge, BO 2 sts, purl to end (this counts as Row 6 of Lace Patt). 42[46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78] sts.

Note: See Pattern Notes on maintaining Lace Patt during neck decreases.

Next row [RS]: BO 3 sts, work next row of Lace Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 38[42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74] sts.

Shape neck:
Rows 1-2: Work 2 rows even in patt.
Row 3 [WS]: P1, p2tog, work Lace Patt to end.
Rows 4-5: Work 2 rows even in patt.
Row 6 [RS]: Work Lace Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Rep last 6 rows 6[7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10] times more, then rep Rows 1-3, 0[0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1] time. 24[26, 29, 31, 33, 37, 40, 44, 47, 51] sts.

Work even in patt until Right Front measures same as Back to shoulder, ending after a WS row.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Right Front
Place 40[44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76] sts held for Right Front back on larger needle. Join yarn with WS facing and purl 1 row (Row 6 of Lace patt).

Next row [RS]: BO 1 st, k1, ssk, work next row of Lace Patt to end. 38[42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74] sts.

Rows 1-2: Work 2 rows even in patt.
Row 3 [WS]: Work Lace Patt to last 3 sts, ssp, p1.
Rows 4-5: Work 2 rows even in patt.
Row 6 [RS]: K1, ssk, work Lace patt to end.
Rep last 6 rows 6[7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10] times more, then rep Rows 1-3, 0[0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1] time. 24[26, 29, 31, 33, 37, 40, 44, 47, 51] sts.

Work even in patt until Right Front measures same as Back to shoulder, ending after a WS row.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Sleeves
Join shoulders on WS using 3-Needle Bind Off.

With RS facing, using larger 16-inch/40 cm circ and starting at center of underarm BO, pick up and knit 44[44, 48, 48, 53, 58, 58, 63, 68, 68] sts evenly to shoulder seam, then pick up and knit 44[44, 48, 48, 53, 58, 58, 63, 68, 68] sts to center of underarm BO. Place marker and join to work in the rnd. 88[88, 96, 96, 106, 116, 116, 126, 136, 136] sts.

Knit 4[4, 3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2] rnds.
Dec Rnd: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Rep last 5[5, 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3] rnds 20[19, 23, 21, 26, 30, 27, 32, 34, 34] times more. 46[48, 48, 52, 52, 54, 60, 60, 66, 66] sts.

Work even in St st until sleeve measures 14.5[14.5, 15, 15, 15.25, 15, 15.25, 15, 14.25, 14.25] inches / 37[37, 38, 38, 38.5, 38, 38.5, 38, 36, 36] cm from pick-up edge, or until sleeve measures 1.5 inches / 4 cm shorter than desired length.

Change to smaller DPNs and work in K1, P1 rib for 1.5 inches / 4 cm.

Using Tubular Bind-off, BO all sts.

Repeat for other sleeve.

Collar
With RS facing, using longer smaller circ and starting at neck division on Right Front, pick up and knit 41[41, 45, 45, 50, 54, 54, 59, 63, 63] sts up Right Front neck to shoulder seam, 33[37, 39, 43, 47, 47, 49, 49, 51, 51] sts across Back neck, then 41[41, 45, 45, 50, 54, 54, 59, 63, 63] sts down neck edge of Left Front. Do not join. 115[119, 129, 133, 147, 155, 157, 167, 177, 177] sts

Row 1 [WS]: (P1, k1) to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: (K1, p1) to last st, k1.
Rep last 2 rows three times more.

BO set-up row 1 [WS]: (Slp wyif, k1) to last st, slp wyif.
BO set-up row 2 [RS]: (K1, slp wyif) to last st, k1.

Using Tubular BO, BO all sts.

Tack down front and back selvage edges of collar to center front neck BO, sewing down the collar on the right front over the left front.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block to measurements.

A: Bust circumference: 33.5[36.75, 40, 43.25, 46.5, 49.5, 52.75, 56, 59.25, 62.5] inches / 85[93.5, 101.5, 110, 118, 125.5, 134, 142, 150.5, 159] cm
B: Body length: 15.5[15.5, 16.25, 16.25, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17] inches / 39.5[39.5, 41.5, 41.5, 43, 43, 43, 43, 43, 43] cm
C: Back width: 16.25[17.75, 19.5, 21, 22.5, 24.25, 25.75, 27.5, 29, 30.5] inches / 41.5[45, 49.5, 53.5, 57, 61.5, 65.5, 70, 73.5, 77.5] cm
D: Back neck width: 6.5[7.5, 7.75, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.75, 9.75, 10.25, 10.25] inches / 41.5[45, 49.5, 53.5, 57, 61.5, 65.5, 70, 73.5, 77.5] cm
E: Cuff circumference (stretched): 7.75[8, 8, 8.75, 8.75, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11] inches / 19.5[20.5, 20.5, 22, 22, 23, 25.5, 25.5, 28, 28] cm
F: Sleeve length: 16[16, 16.5, 16.5, 16.75, 16.5, 16.75, 16.5, 15.75, 15.75] inches / 40.5[40.5, 42, 42, 42.5, 42, 42.5, 42, 40, 40] cm
G: Armhole length: 7.25[7.25, 8, 8, 8.75, 9.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.25, 11.25] inches / 18.5[18.5, 20.5, 20.5, 22, 24, 24, 26.5, 28.5, 28.5] cm
H: Upper arm circumference: 14.75[14.75, 16, 16, 17.75, 19.25, 19.25, 21, 22.75, 22.75] inches / 37.5[37.5, 40.5, 40.5, 45, 49, 49, 53.5, 58, 58] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Merri lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she designs handknits while also working as a graphic designer and instructor.

You’ll find more of her work at TangletownKnits and at Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2017 Merri Fromm. Contact Merri