by Mags Kandis

I really designed this to be my idea of the perfect warm-weather-grab for those long, uncertain days. You may never know when you will encounter an over-cooled office, a breezy picnic or a late night outdoor cafe. Many of us live where summers are just plain hot and often humid. Rarely is there need for something to protect us from chills. But when you do need that “little something” to toss on, it is a joy to have it at easy reach. Amiga weighs next to nothing. It scrunches up to fit into a very little space. It will always be at the ready.

To make my life easier and to ensure buttons that would not weigh down or pull the drapey Cotton Flamme fabric… I made my own! I am also quite happy with the way the buttons  just blend in creating a hint of interest.

I’ve been making Dorset Buttons for years. How many times have you had a cardi sit for weeks...months...years while hunting down the PERfect buttons. By using the same yarn as your project or complimenting yarn from your stash, you always have designer buttons at your fingertips.

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size S)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 32[35.75, 39.5, 44.25, 48, 51.75, 56.5] inches
Length at center back: 17.5[18, 18.5, 19.5, 19.75, 20.5, 20.5] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Americo Cotton Flammé [ 100% pima cotton; 437yd/400m per 100g skein]; color: #J422; 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #8/5mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer
1 set US #8/5 mm double-point needles

Notions
Yarn needle
4 stitch markers
2 safety pins or split ring markers
2 plastic curtain rings OR 2 lightweight buttons, 0.5 inch diameter
Waste yarn

GAUGE

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

yo2: Yarn over twice (wrap yarn twice around right needle, from front to back).

Instructions for the Backward Loop Cast On can be found here.

Directions for Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off can be found here.

DIRECTIONS
YOKE
Using circular needle, CO 34[38, 44, 46, 52, 56, 64] sts.

Set-up Row [WS]: P2, place marker, p4[4, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10], place marker, p22[26, 28, 30, 32, 36, 40], place marker,  p4[4, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10], place marker, p2.

Raglan Increase Row [RS]: [K to 1 st before marker, kfb, slip marker, kfb] four times, k to end. 8 sts increased.

P 1 row.

Repeat these 2 rows 21[23, 25, 28, 30, 32, 34] times more. 210[230, 252, 278, 300, 320, 344] sts: 24[26, 28, 31, 33, 35, 37] sts for each front, 48[52, 58, 64, 70, 74, 80] sts for each sleeve, 66[74, 80, 88, 94, 102, 110] sts for back.

LOWER BODY
Dividing Row [RS]: *K to marker, remove marker, place next 48[52, 58, 64, 70, 74, 80] sts (all sts to next marker) on waste yarn for sleeve, CO 2[2, 4, 6, 8, 8, 10] sts using backward loop method; repeat from * once, k to end. 118[130, 144, 162, 176, 188, 204] sts.

SLEEVES
Place held sts of one sleeve on double-point needles. Beginning at center of underarm edge with RS facing, pick up and k 1[1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5] sts to beginning of held sts, k held sts, pick up and k 1[1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5] sts to center of underarm edge. 50[54, 62, 70, 78, 82, 90] sts.

Sizes XS, S, M Only:
Work in stockinette st until sleeve measures 10.5 inches from underarm or desired length.

Loosely BO all sts.

Sizes L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only:
K -[-, -, 16, 8, 9, 5] rounds.

Next Round: K2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk.

Repeat these -[-, -, 17, 9, 10, 6] rounds -[-, -, 2, 6, 5, 9] times more. -[-, -, 64, 64, 70, 70] sts.

Continue in stockinette st until sleeve measures 11 inches from underarm or desired length.

Loosely BO all sts.

With RS facing, using circular needle and beginning at lower right front corner, pick up and k 3 sts for every 4 rows along right front edge, placing stitch marker on needle at each button location; pick up and k 1 st in every st along CO neck edge, and 3 sts for every 4 rows along left front edge, ending at lower left front corner.

Beginning and ending with WS row, work 15[17, 19, 19, 21, 25, 29] rows in stockinette st.
Buttonhole Row [RS]: [K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, remove marker, yo2, k2tog] twice, k to end.
P 1 row, working [p1 tbl, p1] into each yo2.

Continue in stockinette st until band measures 4.5[5, 5.25, 5.25, 5.75, 6.5, 7] inches.

Loosely BO all sts. If you have trouble binding off loosely, try Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (see Pattern Notes).

FINISHING
Weave in ends and gently block to measurements shown.
Make 2 Dorset buttons using instructions below, and sew to left front edge opposite buttonholes.

Mags Kandis is a writer of books, designer of things and maker of stuff. Her latest book is Gifted: Lovely Little Things to Knit and Crochet (Interweave Press 2010).

You can keep up with her comings and goings on her blog.