Knitty is dedicated to...
Knitty: little purls of wisdom
letter from the editorfeatured articlesKnitty's fabulous pattern selectionarchive of back issuestell us what you think of KnittyKnitty's favorite linkshelp knitty keep on keepin' onknitty's virtual sNbjoin the Knitty notifylistknitty's tiny little shopping malltake home something Knitty


purlsoho.com

the Knitty FAQ

submission guidelines for designers and writers

the obligatory legal statement

the rabbit

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

 



anoukjewelledbad penny graceT3lite brite rosebudhoneymoonotis
boogieglamouflagefrill devanparty aproncut your teethsueetbonbon

Knit in one piece, this flirty shell requires almost no finishing. Just join the shoulders, work in yarn ends, and you're done!

I suggest adding some embellishment around the neckline--if you're going to wear a deep V neckline, you may as well go for it and draw a bit more attention to yourself.

I have made this shell twice. The first time I embellished with teardrop shaped beads from a bead store; the second time a glass pendant from a necklace with a broken chain.

The shell should be fitted. Knit it to your bust size or slightly smaller.

NOTES
Work all decs 2 sts in from selvage.

Example: K2, K2tog, knit to last 4 sts, SSK, K2.

Using a row counter will make the armhole and neck shaping much easier. You could also track your rows with paper and pencil. Whatever you do, I strongly recommend that you find some system to track the shaping. Your shell will fit better and be more fun to knit if you do!

Front armhole is worked slightly longer than back. This creates a back neck drop when the shoulder seams are sewn, but without having to work any back neck shaping.

model: Kristin Spurkland photo: Todd Jackson

SIZE
XS [S, M, L, XL, XXL] - shown in size S
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 32.5 [35, 37.75, 40.5, 43, 45.75] inches
Length: 18.75 [18.75, 19.75, 20.75, 21.75, 21.75] inches

 

MATERIALS

Rowan Kidsilk Haze [70% super kid mohair, 30% silk; 210m (229yds) per 25g skein];
color: 595 Liqueur; 3 [3, 4, 4, 5, 5] skeins
(also shown in 589 Majestic)

1 26-32 inch US #7/4.5mm circular needle
1 26-32 inch US #8/5mm circular needle
1 US #8/5mm double-point or straight needle
Stitch markers
4 small stitch holders
Waste yarn
Yarn needle

Optional
Beads or other embellishment
Sewing thread in a color to match yarn
Sewing needle

 

GAUGE

18 sts/26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch with larger needle and 2 strands of Kidsilk Haze held together.

 
DIRECTIONS

Body
With smaller needle and 2 strands held tog, CO 146[158, 170, 182, 194, 206] sts.
P1 row flat, without joining.
Next row
: K36[39, 42, 45, 48, 51], pm (this is the first "side seam" marker), slip 1 purlwise, K72[78, 84, 90, 96, 102], pm (second "side seam" marker), slip 1 purlwise, K36[39, 42, 45, 48, 51].
Join and pm (you might want to use different color than the side seam markers).
Round 1
: K.
Round 2: *K to first side seam marker, slip marker, slip next st purlwise, rep from * with second side seam marker, k to end of round.
Change to larger needle and rep Rounds 1 and 2 until shell measures 12[12, 13, 13, 14, 14] inches from beg, ending with a Round 1.

Divide for Front and Back
K36[39, 42, 45, 48, 51], remove side seam marker, K1. Turn. P73[79, 85, 91, 97, 103], remove second side seam marker, P1.
These 74[80, 86, 92, 98, 104] sts will be worked for the back. Place rem 72[78, 84, 90, 96, 102] sts on waste yarn.
The remainder of the sweater will be worked back and forth.

Back
Dec 1 st at each end of next then every foll 2nd row 0[0, 0, 0, 1, 5] times; every foll 4th row 0[0, 4, 10, 11, 9] times; every foll 6th row 1[6, 4, 0, 0, 0] times then every foll 8th row 4[0, 0, 0, 0, 0] times.
Work even until you have completed 43[43, 43, 47, 47, 47] rows from beg of shaping, ending with WS facing.
Next row: P13[14, 15, 16, 16, 17] and place these sts on holder, BO center 36[38, 38, 38, 40, 40] sts knitwise, P rem 13[14, 15, 16, 16, 17] and place these sts on another holder. Break yarn.

Left Front
Transfer 36[39, 42, 45, 48, 51] sts from waste yarn to larger needle. The seam st that was worked on the back will be knit again for the front.
With RS facing, join yarn and k into the seam st, K36[39, 42, 45, 48, 51]. (37[40, 43, 46, 49, 52] sts on needle)
Turn and P 1 row.

Armhole and Neck Shaping [worked simultaneously]
Dec 1 st at armhole edge of next then every foll 2nd row 0[0, 0, 0, 1, 5] times; every foll 4th row 0[0, 4, 10, 11, 9] times; every foll 6th row 1[6, 4, 0, 0, 0] times then every foll 8th row 4[0, 0, 0, 0, 0] times.
Work even until you have completed 46[46, 46, 50, 50, 50] rows from beg of shaping, ending with RS facing. Place rem sts on holder.
At the same time, dec 1 st at neck edge of next then every foll 2nd row 13[15, 15, 13, 15, 15] times and then every foll 4th row 4[3, 3, 5, 4, 4] times.
Work even at neck edge until armhole shaping is complete.

Right Front
Transfer rem waste yarn sts to larger needle.
With RS facing, join yarn. K36[39, 42, 45, 48, 51], then k into the seam st. (37[40, 43, 46, 49, 52] sts on needle)
Turn and P 1 row.
Work armhole and neck shaping as for left front.

 

 
FINISHING

Holding RSs tog, join shoulders with a 3 needle BO.

Weave in ends. You can use the tail from your cast on to sew up the little split at the back lower hem created by working the first couple rows flat, or you can leave the split open. In the sample garment, this was left open.

Using a steam iron, block hem, armhole, and neck edges flat. Do this by holding the iron an inch or two above the work, not by touching the iron to your knitting! If you touch your shell with the iron, you may scorch it. You can also wet block the shell if you have the time but, if you're like me, you'll want to wear it right away.

If desired, sew beads or other embellishment around the neck edge. I find it easiest to use sewing thread in a matching color, as it is stronger and easier to thread through a sewing needle than knitting yarn.

Enjoy!

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Kristin Spurkland is a designer and knitting teacher living in Portland, OR. Her first book, "Knits from the Heart -- Quick Projects for Generous Giving", was published in March by Martingale & Company.

She can be reached through her website.