Terzetto, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.
INTRODUCTION
Terzetto
by Renee Kulling
Like a musical trio weaving three voices into harmony, Terzetto brings together three stitch patterns in a lovely interplay. Each section sings its own melody to create an overall fun and interesting composition. Terzetto invites you to knit with intention as three distinct sections create an engaging knit and an eye-catching finished product!
Terzetto is perfect for First Fall – easily layered as a vest, worn over a tee or camisole, or worn on its own!
model + photos: Renee Kulling
SIZE
Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size M with 0 inches/0 cm of ease at chest
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest circumference at underarm: 30.25[34.25, 38.25, 42.25, 46.25, 48.25, 54.25, 58.25, 62.25] inches / 77[87, 97, 107.5, 117.5, 122.5, 138, 148, 158] cm
Length: 21.25[21.75, 22.75, 23.25, 24.25, 24.75, 25.75, 27, 27.75] inches/ 54[55, 58, 59, 61.5, 63, 65.5, 68.5, 70.5] cm\
MATERIALS
Yarn
Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop [50% bamboo, 50% cotton; 292 yds / 267m per 3.5oz/100g ball]; color: 124 Tropical Green; 2[2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5] balls
Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a DK-weight cotton/bamboo blend. It is a plied yarn with significant drape. A silk blend would also give a similar drapey effect.
Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #5/3.75 mm circular needle, 24-inch/60 cm length or longer
1 US #4/3.5 mm 16-24-inch/40-60cm circular needle (for i-cord bind off)
1 additional US #5/3.75 needle (for 3-needle bind off)
Notions
stitch markers
1 US E/4 (3.5mm) crochet hook
7 buttons, 0.5 inch/13mm diameter
yarn needle
GAUGE
24 sts/30 rows/rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch worked flat and in the round.
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.
PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
This top is worked in one piece from the bottom to the armholes. The front and back are worked flat separately. The shoulders are joined using a 3-needle bind off. Armholes and collar are picked up and worked with an i-cord bind off.
Techniques
CHARTS
View and download CHARTs:
DIRECTIONS
Body
CO 188[212, 236, 260, 284, 296, 332, 356, 380] sts.
Set-up row [WS]: P 93[105, 117, 129, 141, 147, 165, 177, 189] , pm for middle back (mid-point marker), p to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Begin Lace Chart 1:
Row 1 [RS]: K3, work Row 1 of Lace Chart 1 to last 5 sts, p2, sl3wyif.
Row 2 [WS]: K5, work Row 2 of Lace Chart 1 to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Repeat last 2 rows 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9] times more.
Begin Lace Chart 2:
Row 1 [RS]: K3, work Row 1 of Lace Chart 1 to 7 sts before middle back marker, pm, work Row 1 of Lace Chart 2 over next 18 sts, pm, work Row 1 of Lace Chart 1 to last 5 sts, p2, sl3wyif.
Row 2 [WS]: K5, work Row 2 of Lace Chart 1 to m, work Row 2 of Lace Chart 2, work Row 2 of Lace Chart 1 to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Work even in patt as est for 6 rows, ending after Row 8 of Lace Chart 2.
Chart extension row [RS]: K3, work Row 1 of Lace Chart 1 to 6 sts before m, pm, work next row of Lace Chart 2 (removing 2 markers at each end of chart as you pass them), pm, work Row 1 of Lace Chart 1 to last 5 sts, p2, sl3wyif.
Work even in patt as est for 11 rows, ending after Row 20 of Lace Chart 2.
Work Chart extension row.
Work even in patt as est for 11 rows, ending after Row 32 of Lace Chart 2.
Work Chart extension row.
Work even in patt as est for 11 rows, ending after Row 44 of Lace Chart 2.
Work Chart extension row.
Work even in patt as est for 11 rows, ending after Row 56 of Lace Chart 2.
Work Chart extension row.
Work even in patt as est for 6 rows, ending after Row 63 of Lace Chart 2.
Next row [WS]: K5, work Row 2 of Lace Chart 1 to m, rm, p2tog, yo, p to mid-point marker, p to 2 sts before next m, k2, rm, work Row 2 of Lace Chart 1 to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Begin Lace Chart 3:
Row 1 [RS]: K to 33 sts before mid-point marker, pm, work Row 1 of Lace Chart 3 over next 66 sts, pm, k to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Row 2 [WS]: K3, p to m, remove m, p1, pm, work Row 2 of Lace Chart 3, pm, p1, remove m, p to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Row 3 [RS]: K to m, sm, work next row of Lace Chart 3, sm, k to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Row 4 [WS]: K3, p to m, remove m, p1, pm, work next row of Lace Chart 3, pm, p1, remove m, p to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Repeat last 2 rows until Row 24[26, 26, 28, 28, 30, 30, 32, 32] of Lace Chart 3 has been completed.
Right Front
Row 1 [RS]: K3, ssk, k 41[47, 53, 59, 66, 69, 76, 83, 89] , turn and cont on these 45[51, 57, 63, 70, 73, 80, 87, 93] sts only for Right Front. Leave rem unworked sts of row on holder for Back and Left Front, if you wish.
Row 2 [WS]: BO 5[7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 12, 12] sts, p to last 3 sts, sl3wyif. 40[44, 50, 55, 61, 64, 70, 75, 81] sts.
Row 3 [RS]: Knit.
Row 4 [WS]: BO 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 5, 7, 8] sts, p to last 3 sts, sl3wyif. 37[40, 46, 50, 55, 58, 65, 68, 73] sts.
Row 5 [RS]: Knit.
Row 6 [WS]: BO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5] sts, p to last 3 sts, sl3wyif. 34[37, 43, 47, 52, 55, 61, 63, 68] sts.
Row 7 [RS]: K3, ssk, k to end. 33[36, 42, 46, 51, 54, 60, 62, 67] sts.
Row 8 [WS]: BO 2 sts, p to last 3 sts, sl3wyif. 31[34, 40, 44, 49, 52, 58, 60, 65] sts.
Row 9 [RS]: Knit.
Row 10 [WS]: P to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Row 11 [RS]: Knit.
Row 12 [WS]: P to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Row 13 [RS]: K3, ssk, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Row 14 [WS]: P to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Repeat last 6 rows 8[8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] times more. 22[25, 30, 34, 38, 41, 46, 47, 51] sts.
Place Right Front sts on holder. Break yarn.
Left Front
With WS facing, join yarn to first 46[52, 58, 64, 71, 74, 81, 88, 94] sts held for Left Front. Leave rem 96[108, 120, 132, 142, 148, 170, 180, 192] sts on needle or holder for Back.
Row 1 [WS]: K3, p 43[49, 55, 61, 68, 71, 78, 85, 91] , turn.
Row 2 [RS]: BO 5[7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 12, 12] sts, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, sl3wyif. 40[44, 50, 55, 61, 64, 70, 75, 81] sts.
Row 3 [WS]: K3, p to end.
Row 4 [RS]: BO 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 5, 7, 8] sts, k to last 3 sts, sl3wyif. 37[40, 46, 50, 55, 58, 65, 68, 73] sts.
Row 5 [WS]: K3, p to end.
Row 6 [RS]: BO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5] sts, k to last 3 sts, sl3wyif. 34[37, 43, 47, 52, 55, 61, 63, 68] sts.
Row 7 [WS]: K3, p to end.
Row 8 [RS]: BO 2 sts, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, sl3wyif. 31[34, 40, 44, 49, 52, 58, 60, 65] sts.
Row 9 [WS]: K3, p to end.
Row 10 [RS]: K to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Row 11 [WS]: K3, p to end.
Row 12 [RS]: K to last 3 sts, sl3wyif.
Row 13 [WS]: K3, p to end.
Row 14 [RS]: K to last 5 sts, k2tog, sl3wyif. 1 st decreased.
Repeat last 6 rows 8[8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] times more. 22[25, 30, 34, 38, 41, 46, 47, 51] sts.
Place Left Front sts on holder or scrap yarn. Break yarn.
Back
With RS facing, join yarn to 96[108, 120, 132, 142, 148, 170, 180, 192] sts held for Back.
Note: Cont to work in pattern, working Lace Chart 3 between markers and moving markers on each WS row while working sts outside of Lace Chart 3 in St st.
Rows 1-2: BO 7[9, 9, 10, 9, 9, 14, 14, 14] sts, patt to end.
Rows 3-4: BO 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 5, 7, 8] sts, patt to end.
Rows 5-6: BO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5] sts, patt to end.
Rows 7-8: BO 2 sts, patt to end.
66[72, 84, 92, 102, 108, 120, 124, 134] sts.
Work even in St st and Lace Chart 3 as est until Row 63 of chart has been completed.
Work in St st until Back measures 6.75[6.75, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8.25, 9.25, 9.25, 10] inches / 217[17, 19, 19, 20.5, 21, 23.5, 23.5, 25.5] cm from underarm or 12[12, 12, 12, 14, 12, 12, 16, 16] rows shorter than Front to shoulder, ending after a WS row.
Shape back neck:
Next row [RS]: K 24[27, 32, 36, 41, 43, 48, 51, 55] , BO 18[18, 20, 20, 20, 22, 24, 22, 24] sts, k to end. Turn and cont across these 24[27, 32, 36, 41, 43, 48, 51, 55] sts only.
Left Back
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Repeat last 2 rows 4[4, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4, 6, 6] times more. 19[22, 27, 31, 35, 38, 43, 44, 48] sts.
Purl 1 WS row.
3-needle bind-off:
Turn work inside out so WS is facing. Place 3 sts at neck edge of Left Front on holder for i-cord neck edging. Join rem 19[22, 27, 31, 35, 38, 43, 44, 48] sts of each piece using 3-needle bind-off.
Right Back
With WS facing, join yarn to 24[27, 32, 36, 41, 43, 48, 51, 55] sts held for Right Back.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.
Repeat last 2 rows 4[4, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4, 6, 6] times more. 19[22, 27, 31, 35, 38, 43, 44, 48] sts.
Purl 1 WS row.
3-needle bind-off:
Turn work inside out so WS is facing. Place 3 sts at neck edge of Right Front on holder for i-cord neck edging. Join rem 19[22, 27, 31, 35, 38, 43, 44, 48] sts of each piece using 3-needle bind-off.
FINISHING
Note: The number of recommended sts for picking up is not crucial; simply make sure that it makes a smooth finish without puckering, and that the number of sts picked up for the armholes is the same for each side.
Neck Edging
With smaller needles, pick up and knit 28[28, 30, 30, 32, 32, 34, 36, 38] sts evenly across back neck to left shoulder seam. Break yarn. Place 3 sts from Right Front holder on to left needle. *K2, ssk (one st from i-cord and one st from picked up neck st), slip 3 sts back to left needle. Rep from * until 3 sts rem. Graft 3 sts together with 3 held sts from Left Front using Kitchener stitch.
Armhole Edging
With smaller needles for working small circumference in the round, pick up and knit 28[34, 34, 38, 40, 40, 46, 54, 56] sts across underarm BO, 41[44, 48, 48, 52, 52, 56, 59, 63] sts to shoulder seam, and 41[44, 48, 48, 52, 52, 56, 59, 63] sts down to underarm. Break yarn. 118[120, 128, 132, 144, 144, 154, 170, 180] sts.
Join yarn to underarm with RS facing. CO 3 sts to left needle using backward loop method. *K2, ssk; rep from * until 3 sts rem. Graft rem 3 sts to 3 cast-on sts using Kitchener stitch.
Repeat for second armhole.
Weave in all ends. Wash and block gently. Attach buttons along the I-cord edge on left front, evenly spaced. Create button loops directly across from each button on the right front.
A–Chest circumference: 30.25[34.25, 38.25, 42.25, 46.25, 48.25, 54.25, 58.25, 62.25] inches / 77[87, 97, 107.5, 117.5, 122.5, 138, 148, 158] cm
B–Total Length: 21.25[21.75, 22.75, 23.25, 24.25, 24.75, 25.75, 27, 27.75] inches / 54[55, 58, 59, 61.5, 63, 65.5, 68.5, 70.5] cm
C—Armhole depth: 8.25[8.25, 9, 9, 9.75, 9.75, 10.75, 11.5, 12.25] inches / 21[21, 23, 23, 25, 25, 27.5, 29, 31] cm
D–Armhole circumference: 21.25[22.25, 23.75, 24.25, 26.25, 26.25, 29.25, 32, 33.75] inches / 54[56.5, 60.5, 61.5, 66.5, 66.5, 74.5, 81.5, 85.5] cm
E—Back neck width: 4.75[4.75, 5, 5, 5.25, 5.25, 5.75, 6, 6.25] inches / 12[12, 12.5, 12.5, 13.5, 13.5, 14.5, 15, 16] cm
F—Shoulder width: 3.25[3.75, 4.5, 5.25, 5.75, 6.25, 7.25, 7.25, 8] inches / 8.5[9.5, 11.5, 13.5, 14.5, 16, 18.5, 18.5, 20.5] cm
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Renee Kulling lives, works, and plays in Michigan, USA. She's a runner and wannabe cyclist, and loves to be outside and active with her dogs, daughter, and husband. Her favorite color is yellow.
You can find her on Ravelry as OhSoFancy and on Instagram as ohsofancyknits.
Pattern & images © 2026 Renee Kulling