New Dawn Blooms, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

New Dawn Blooms

beauty shot by Merri Fromm

Tangy

"The new dawn blooms as we free it, for there is always light if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it."
Excerpt from The Hill We Climb by Amanda S. C. Gorman

Have you ever looked at a knitting pattern and thought, "I could never make that!" Lace can be like that. Your eye skims the stitches that look so complicated it seems impossible to make. But this lace is a breeze. The only time bravery is required is to begin.

The lace pattern uses two stitches that are not knits or purls (a yarn over and a Sk2p, described below) and a stitch pattern that is easy to memorize and fun to work. Since it's a sleeveless vest in worsted weight yarn, you'll have it quickly completed. Be your own light!

This top is knitted seamlessly without shaping from the bottom up, then worked up to the armholes, where the work is separated and the front and back are worked flat. Shoulders are joined with 3-needle bind off. The neckline and armhole trim is worked in the round.

spacer model: Larkin Nauman

spacer photos: Merri Fromm

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X]
shown in size L with 3 inches/8 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm: 32.5[36.25, 40, 43.75, 47.5, 51.5, 55.25, 61, 64.75, 68.5] inches / 82.5[92, 101.5, 111, 120.5, 131, 140.5, 155, 164.5, 174] cm
Length: 23[23.5, 24, 24.5, 24.5, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 27.25] inches / 58.5[59.5, 61, 62, 62, 65, 65, 67.5, 67.5, 69] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Cascade 220 [100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yd/200m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: 8311 Mineral Blue; 3[3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a slighty fuzzy but round, worsted-weight wool yarn. The pattern will work best with a non-superwash wool or other natural fiber yarn that will open up the lace pattern when blocked.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #7/4.5mm circular needle, 24-inch/60cm or longer, for body
US #7/4.5mm in your preferred needle(s) for working a small circumference in the round

Notions
scrap yarn or stitch holders
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

21 sts/32 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in Fir Cone Lace pattern stitch

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

New Dawn Blooms is knitted seamlessly from the bottom up, starting with the hem, then worked up to the armholes, where the work is separated and the front and back are worked flat. Shoulders are joined with 3-needle bind off. The neckline and armholes are worked in the round.

sk2p: Slip next stitch knitwise to right-hand needle, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over stitch resulting from k2tog. 2 stitches decreased.

yo: Start with the working yarn in back, bring the yarn forward between the knitting needles, then bring the yarn over the right knitting needle and bring the yarn back to the back of your work.

When working pattern decreases, balance sk2p with yarn overs. If one part of pattern is not possible, work in stockinette stitch.

CHARTS

Seed Stitch (worked in the round)
Multiple of 2 sts
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.

Edge stitch (worked in the round)
Multiple of 10 sts
Rnd 1: *K1, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *K2, p1, k5, p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.

Fir Cone Lace (worked in the round)
Multiple of 10 sts
Rnd 1: *K1, yo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnds 3–6: Rep Rnds 1-2.
Rnd 7: Rep Rnd 1.
Rnd 8: Knit until 1 st remains, slip 1 stitch to right needle, remove BOR marker, replace stitch from right to left needle, PM (this moves the BOR marker back 1 sts).
Rnd 9: *Sk2p, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3; rep from * to end.
Rnds 10-15: Rep Rnd 8 and 9.
Rnd 16: Knit (do not move the BOR marker).
Rep Rnds 1-16 for patt.

Fir Cone Lace (worked flat)
Multiple of 10 sts + 11
Row 1 [RS]: K1, *yo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and all WS Rows: Purl.
Row 3, 5 and 7: Rep Row 1.
Rows 9, 11, 13 and 15: K2tog, *k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, sk2p; rep from * to last 9 sts, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk.
Row 16 [WS]: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-16 for patt

DIRECTIONS

Body
Using circular needle for Body, CO 170[190, 210, 230, 250, 270, 290, 320, 340, 360] sts. PM and join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Work 6 rnds in Edge Stitch pattern.

Begin Fir Cone Lace pattern, working 10-st repeat 17[19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32, 34, 36] times across each round.

Continue in Fir Cone Lace pattern until Body measures 15.5[15.5, 16, 16, 16, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17.5] inches / 39.5[39.5, 40.5, 40.5, 40.5, 42, 42, 43, 43, 44.5] cm or desired length to underarm, ending after an even round of Fir Cone Lace pattern.

Divide for Front and Back
Place last 85[95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 160, 170, 180] sts worked on holder for Back.

Remove marker. Continue in pattern on remaining 85[95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 160, 170, 180] sts for Front. Front will be worked flat.

Note: See Pattern Notes for instructions on maintaining Lace Pattern during armhole and neck decreases.

Front
Row 1 [RS]: BO 2[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, continue in pattern to end. 83[91, 101, 110, 120, 130, 139, 154, 163, 173] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: BO 2[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, continue in pattern to end. 81[87, 97, 105, 115, 125, 133, 148, 156, 166] sts.

Row 3: BO 3 sts, continue in pattern to end. 78[84, 94, 102, 112, 122, 130, 145, 153, 163] sts.
Row 4: BO 3 sts, continue in pattern to end. 75[81, 91, 99, 109, 119, 127, 142, 150, 160] sts.

Row 5 [RS]: K2, SSK, work in pattern to end. 1 st decreased.
Row 6 [WS]: P2, p2tog, work in pattern to end. 1 st decreased.
Repeat Rows 5-6 another 0[0, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 5, 5] times. 73[79, 89, 95, 103, 113, 121, 132, 138, 148] sts.

Neckline
Continue in Fir Cone Lace pattern as established.

Next row [RS]: Work across 36[39, 44, 47, 51, 56, 60, 65, 68, 73] sts, BO 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2] sts for center neck, patt to end. Place first set of 36[39, 44, 47, 51, 56, 60, 65, 68, 73] sts on holder for left front; continue on remaining 36[39, 44, 47, 51, 56, 60, 65, 68, 73] sts for right front.

Right Front
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern.

Neck and armhole dec row [RS]: K2, ssk, work until 4 sts rem, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Even row [WS]: Work in pattern.
Repeat last 2 rows another 2[2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 10, 12, 16] times. 30[33, 38, 41, 41, 46, 46, 43, 42, 39] sts.

Neck dec row [RS]: K2, ssk, work until end. 1 st decreased.
Even row [WS]: Work in pattern.
Repeat last 2 rows another 7[10, 13, 16, 14, 19, 19, 15, 14, 11] times. 22[22, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 27, 27, 27] sts.

Cont in pattern on rem sts until armhole measures .5 inches shorter than desired armhole or 7.5[8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 9.5, 9.75] inches/ 19[20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25] cm, ending after a WS row.

Begin Short Row Shoulder shaping:
Working in St st, begin Short Row Shaping as foll:
Row 1 [RS]: Knit to last 8 sts, w&t.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Row 3: Knit to last 16 sts, w&t.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Knit all sts, picking up wraps and knitting them with wrapped sts.

Break yarn and place shoulder sts on holder.

Left Front
Slip sts from left front holder and place on needle with WS facing for next row. Join yarn and cont patt as established, working shaping as foll:

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Neck and armhole dec row [RS]: K2, ssk, work to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Even row [WS]: Work in pattern.
Repeat last 2 rows another 2[2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 10, 12, 16] times. 30[33, 38, 41, 41, 46, 46, 43, 42, 39] sts.

Neck dec row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 1 st decreased.
Even row [WS]: Work in pattern.
Repeat last 2 rows another 7[10, 13, 16, 14, 19, 19, 15, 14, 11] times. 22[22, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 27, 27, 27] sts.

Begin Short Row Shoulder shaping:
Working in St st, begin Short Row Shaping as foll:
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to last 8 sts, w&t.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl to last 16 sts, w&t.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Purl all sts, picking up wraps and purling them with wrapped sts.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Back
Place held 85[95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 160, 170, 180] sts for back onto longer needle with RS facing. Join yarn.
Row 1 [RS]: BO 2[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, continue in pattern to end. 83[91, 101, 110, 120, 130, 139, 154, 163, 173] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: BO 2[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, continue in pattern to end.
81[87, 97, 105, 115, 125, 133, 148, 156, 166] sts.

Row 3: BO 3 sts, continue in pattern to end. 78[84, 94, 102, 112, 122, 130, 145, 153, 163] sts.
Row 4: BO 3 sts, continue in pattern to end. 75[81, 91, 99, 109, 119, 127, 142, 150, 160] sts.

Row 5: K2, SSK, work in pattern until 4 sts rem, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Row 6: Purl.
Repeat last 2 rows another 3[3, 3, 4, 7, 7, 9, 15, 18, 22] times.
67[73, 83, 89, 93, 103, 107, 110, 112, 114] sts.

Cont in pattern on rem sts until armhole measures .5 inches shorter than desired armhole length or 7.5[8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 9.5, 9.75] inches / 19[20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25] cm, ending after a WS row.

Back Neck and Left Shoulder
Next row [RS]: K 22[22, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 27, 27, 27] sts, BO 23[29, 35, 41, 41, 51, 55, 56, 58, 60] sts, knit to end.

Cont working in St st. Place first set of 22[22, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 27, 27, 27] sts on holder for right back; continue on remaining 22[22, 24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 27, 27, 27] sts for left back.

Left Shoulder
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit until 8 sts remain, w&t.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Knit until 16 sts remain, w&t.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Knit all sts, picking up wraps and knitting wraps with wrapped sts. Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Right Shoulder
Next row [WS]: Attach yarn to sts held for right back with WS facing. Purl to last 8 sts, w&t.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row: Purl to last 16 sts, w&t.
Next row: Knit.
Next row: Purl all sts, picking up wraps and purling wraps with wrapped sts. Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Join Shoulders
With WS facing, join fronts and back at shoulders using 3-Needle Bind Off.

FINISHING

Wet block, spreading the lace to measurements.

Neckline
With RS facing, using smaller circ and starting at Right Shoulder seam, pick up and knit 23[29, 35, 41, 41, 51, 55, 56, 58, 60] sts across back neck, 40[42, 42, 45, 45, 52, 52, 54, 54, 56] sts down left front neck, pick up and knit 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2] st(s) from centre from neck, 40[42, 42, 45, 45, 52, 52, 54, 54, 56] sts to right shoulder seam. Join to work in the round and pm for beg of round. 104[114, 120, 132, 132, 156, 160, 166, 168, 174] sts.

Work in Seed st for 3 rounds. BO in seed st pattern.

Arms
With RS facing, using 16-inch/40 cm circ and starting at center of underarm, pick up and knit 46[48, 48, 52, 52, 54, 54, 58, 58, 60] sts to shoulder, then pick up and knit 46[48, 48, 52, 52, 54, 54, 58, 58, 60] sts down to underarm. Join to work in the round and pm for beg of round. 92[96, 96, 104, 104, 108, 108, 116, 116, 120] total.

Work in Seed st for 3 rounds. BO in seed st pattern.

Weave in ends and block to measurements.

A – Chest circumference at underarm: 32.5[36.25, 40, 43.75, 47.5, 51.5, 55.25, 61, 64.75, 68.5] inches/ 82.5[92, 101.5, 111, 120.5, 131, 140.5, 155, 164.5, 174] cm
B –Length to shoulder: 23[23.5, 24, 24.5, 24.5, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 27.25] inches / 58.5[59.5, 61, 62, 62, 65, 65, 67.5, 67.5, 69] cm
C – Armhole length: 7.5[8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 9.5, 9.75] inches / 19[20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25] cm
D – Cross shoulder width: 12.75[14, 15.75, 17, 17.75, 19.5, 20.5, 21, 21.25, 21.75] inches / 33[35.5, 40, 43, 45, 49.5, 52, 53.5, 54, 55] cm
E – Back neck width: 4.5[5.5, 6.75, 7.75, 7.75, 9.75, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11.5] inches / 11.5[14, 17, 19.5, 19.5, 25, 26.5, 27.5, 28, 29] cm
F – Shoulder width: 4.25[4.25, 4.5, 4.5, 5, 5, 5, 5.25, 5.25, 5.25] inches/ 11[11, 11.5, 11.5, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5, 13.5, 13.5, 13.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Merri lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she works as a WW Wellness Coach and graphic designer. She lives with her husband and the sweet cats Twister and Quigley who show their importance by leaving their fur over all her knits.

You'll find more of her work on Ravelry.