by Laura Cunitz

Here's a tweak to the simple knit decrease you're sure to love. It's called the Showy Decrease because it rises up off the smooth face of stockinette adding design in new ways.

The idea is really very simple, a series of k2tog and ssk decreases are joined with slip stitches on the following wrong side row (or next round). That's it. Simple idea with so many benefits and applications. The resulting decreases become a design element.

One of my favorite features of the Showy Decrease is that k2tog and ssk decreases are now perfectly symmetrical. No wonky left leaning mess -- they actually match!

In this pretty shell there are 4 versions of the decrease: right leaning, left leaning, double joining and vertical. The pattern also includes the Subtle Decrease in the mini diamonds which reduces the impact of the decreases. I'm hoping you think about the ways you might use these techniques in other projects.

The sweater is balanced 50-50. Half the decreases to the right, matching decreases to the left, and it's reversible! Turn it around if you're in the mood.

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in size M with 0" ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 29.5[34.5, 38.5, 41.5, 46.5, 50.5, 53.5] inches
Length: 20.5[21.25, 22.5, 22.75, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Debbie Bliss Bella (85% cotton, 10% silk, 5% cashmere), 104 yds per 50g ball
[MC] Color #16015; 4[5, 6, 6, 8, 8, 9] balls
[CC] Color #16020; 1 ball

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
30-inch US #6 (4mm) circular needle
Spare needle for three-needle bind off

Notions
Yarn needle
2 stitch markers
Four stitch holders or scrap yarn

GAUGE

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

Showy Decreases
The Showy Decreases connect lines of decreases made on RS rows, joined by slipping the same stitch on the WS rows. One benefit of the Showy Decrease is it reduces stitch counting; once established, the line of decreases is easy to spot. There is a free tutorial download for the Showy Decrease and its partner, the Subtle Decrease, on the Knitting Nuance web site.

yor (yarn over reversed): Wrap yarn around needle from front to back.
The yarn over reversed increase is paired with a k2tog to create vertical Showy Decreases without an eyelet. The opposite st orientation means you can knit or purl it normally on the next rnd (row) to close the loop.

Unless otherwise noted, stitches are slipped with the yarn on the WS of work.

Chart Pattern
(multiple of 12 sts + 14)
Rnd 1: K1, *k4, sl1, k1, sl1, k5; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 2: K1, *k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 3: K1, *(k3, sl1) twice, k4; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 4: K1, *k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 5: K1, *k2, sl1, k5, sl1, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 6: K1, *k1, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 7: K1, *(k1, sl1, k2, sl1) twice, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 8: K1, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 9: K1, *sl1, k3, k1tbl, sl1, k4, sl1, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 10: K2tog, *yo, k3, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1.
Rnds 11-12: Knit.
Rnd 13: K1, *sl1, k9, sl1, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 14: K1, *yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 15: K1, *k1, sl1, k7, sl1, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 16: K1, *k1, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 17: K1, *k2, sl1, k5, sl1, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 18: K1, *k2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 19: K4, *sl1, k3, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, sl1, k2; rep from * to last 10 sts, sl1, k3, sl1, k5.
Rnd 20: K4, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rnd 21: K4, *k1, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, k1tbl, sl1, k3; rep from * to last 10 sts, k1, sl1, k1, sl1, k6.
Rnd 22: K4, *k1, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Rnd 23: K1, *k5, sl1, k6; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 24: K1, *k4, yor, k2tog, k6; rep from * to last st, k1.

DIRECTIONS
Hem
Using long-tail cast on and CC (optional), cast on 222[258, 294, 312, 348, 378, 402] sts. Slide sts to other end of circular needle (note that working yarn is not used in following row, so the work is not yet joined in the round).

Next row: *Sl3, pass 2nd st on RH needle up over first st and off of needle. Rep from * to end of row. 148[172, 196, 208, 232, 252, 268] sts.
Tug down the cast-on edge to "set" the cast-on row. Turn work so working yarn is at point of LH needle, ready to work the next row.

Next row [RS]: (Sl1 wyib, p1) to end. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts on needle. Pm for beg of rnd.

Change to MC.

Rib rnd: (K1, p1) to end.
Rep this rnd once more.

Knit 2 rnds, placing marker after first 74[86, 98, 104, 116, 126, 134] sts to mark side seam.

Body
Patt rnd: *K0[0, 0, 3, 3, 2, 0], work Chart to 0[0, 0, 3, 3, 2, 0] sts before m, knit to m; rep from * once more.

Cont in st st and chart patt as set until Rnds 1-24 of Chart have been worked once.

Then work Rnds 1-24 of Chart once more, decreasing 0[0, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0] sts total on Rnd 14 by omitting each of 0[0, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0] yarnovers closest to side seams (note that this will take away 0[0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0] st from each edge of the chart). 148[172, 192, 208, 232, 252, 268] sts.

Cont in st st and chart patt as set, repeating Rnds 23-24 of Chart only, until body measures 10[10, 10.5, 10.5, 11, 11, 11] inches from cast-on or desired length to underbust, ending after Rnd 23 of Chart.

Cont in St st only until piece measures 13[13, 13.5, 13.5, 14, 14, 14] inches from cast-on or desired length to underarm.

Armhole set-up row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, knit to last 4 sts, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.

Row 1 [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to last 5 sts, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Row 2 [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1. 2 sts dec'd.

Rep last 2 rows 2[2, 4, 5, 5, 8, 10] times more, then work 1 WS row more. 60[68, 74, 78, 88, 90, 92] sts. ***

Work next 2 rows 0[0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] times:
Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.

Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to last 6 sts, p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Begin back neck patt:
Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.

Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, p23[27, 30, 32, 37, 38, 39], sl1 wyif, pm, p2, pm, sl1 wyif, p22[26, 29, 31, 36, 37, 38], p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to 2 sts before m, k2tog, sl m, yo, knit to m, yo, sl m, ssk, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.

Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to 1 st before m, sl1 wyif, sl m, purl to next m, sl m, sl1 wyif, purl to last 6 sts, p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Rep last 2 rows 11 times more; 26 sts between markers at center back neck.

Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to 2 sts before m, k2tog, sl m, yo, (k1, p1) 12 times, k2, yo, sl m, ssk, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.

Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to 1 st before m, sl1 wyif, sl m, p3, (k1, p1) 12 times, k1, sl m, sl1 wyif, purl to last 6 sts, p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Back left strap:
Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to last 5 sts, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1. 1 st dec'd.

Rep these 2 rows 5[7, 8, 7, 10, 9, 9] times more, then work 1 more WS row. 13[15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25] sts.

Strap measures approx. 7.75[8.25, 9.25, 9.5, 10.25, 10.75, 11.5] inches from underarm. Place sts on holder.

Back right strap:
With WS facing, join MC to 19[23, 26, 28, 33, 35, 37] sts held for back right strap.

Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to last 6 sts, p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1. 1 st dec'd.

Rep these 2 rows 5[7, 8, 7, 10, 9, 9] times more, then work 1 more WS row. 13[15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25] sts.

Strap measures approx 7.75[8.25, 9.25, 9.5, 10.25, 10.75, 11.5] inches from underarm. Place sts on holder.

Front
Place 74[86, 96, 104, 116, 126, 134] held front sts back on needle and join MC with RS facing.
Work as for Back from ** to ***.

Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.
Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to last 6 sts, p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.
Rep last 2 rows 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3] times more.

Shape neck:
Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.
Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, p20[24, 27, 29, 34, 35, 36], sl1 wyif, k3, p2, k3, sl1 wyif, p19[23, 26, 28, 33, 34, 35], p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.

Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, k18[22, 25, 27, 32, 33, 34], k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1; place last 29[33, 36, 38, 43, 44, 45] sts worked on holder for front left strap. K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, k18[22, 25, 28, 33, 33, 34], yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1.

Front right strap:
Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to last 5 sts, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.
Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, knit to last 6 sts, yor, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Rep last 2 rows 15[17, 18, 17, 20, 19, 19] times more, then work WS row once more. Place rem 13[15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25] sts on holder.

Front left strap:
With WS facing, join MC to held 29[33, 36, 38, 43, 44, 45] sts of left front.
Next row [WS]: K1, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, purl to last 6 sts, p1tbl, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1.
Next row [RS]: K1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, p1, ssk, yo, knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, p1, sl1, yo, k1, psso last 2 sts, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Rep these 2 rows 15[17, 18, 17, 20, 19, 19] times more, then work WS row once more. Place rem 13[15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 25] sts on holder.

FINISHING
Join front and back straps using three-needle bind off. If desired, single crochet across the bottom of each underarm to add stability.

Weave in ends, using tail at center front neck to secure separation at fronts.

Block to measurements, straightening "Showy Decreases" and flattening the armhole edges. Run your finger along the purl ridge between Vertical Showy Decrease and the armhole edge. Check the vertical Showy Decreases above the diamonds on the lower body. If the sts to the right of the Showy Decrease stretched out when wet, push them back together before drying.

Laura Cunitz (pronounced Q-knits) lives in Encinitas, CA.

She can be found on KnittingNuances.com where she focuses on sharing knitting techniques with a new twist and designing projects that show how they're used. Free tutorial downloads for the Showy Decrease, Resilient Cast On and more can be found there.