On The Edge, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for a lace-topped short-sleeved boatneck tee with sleeve ruffles.

INTRODUCTION

On The Edge

beauty shot by Olga Radchuk

Piquant

This fancy top features a transparent upper lacy section that seems to slip down from the shoulders and a thicker plain bottom section that covers everything that is supposed to be covered. They are separated by a shiny line of heavy glass beads exactly on the edge between the modest and the daring.

The top is very feminine and so light that the beads only weigh almost one third of the yarn weight. They pull the lace down a bit, which gives the upper part a beautiful stretch without blocking. Knitting lace using very fine cobweb-weight yarn might seem a bit scary, but the pattern is rewarding: it is so airy that you won't notice the moment you are done with the lace part. A noble blend of merino, silk and cashmere makes this top as soft as a kitten and creates a barely visible halo.

Lace, beads and frills are not necessarily everyone's thing, but they add an exquisite touch to this evening garment. The world may be upside down now and going out is restricted, but as soon as we get through, we will most definitely celebrate this. So let's get prepared now.

spacer model: Olga Radchuk

spacer photos: Sergey Tukaiev

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 2.75 inches/7 cm of positive ease in the hip area

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust circumference: 36.25[37.5, 42.5, 47.75, 50.25, 56.5, 59.5, 61.25, 64.25] inches/ 92[95, 108, 121.5, 127.5, 143.5, 151, 155.5, 163] cm.
Length: 24.75[25.5, 26.5, 27.75, 28.5, 28.5, 28.75, 29, 29] inches/ 62[64, 66.5, 69.5, 71.5, 71.5, 72, 72.5, 72.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
ColourMart Cashmere/Silk/Merino [60% Merino, 30% silk, 10% cashmere; 3226 yd/2959 m per 5.29 oz/150 g skein]; color: black; 1[1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4] skeins

Yarn Characteristics:
The sample shown uses a 3/60nm cobweb-weight merino/silk/cashmere blend, 4.4 oz/125 g for size S. The yarn is held triple (yarn A) for the solid body and for the neckline i-cord, and single stranded (yarn B) for the lace section. In general, any cobweb-weight yarn that gives the necessary gauge when held triple would be fine. Alternatively, two different weights of yarn can be used here. Yarn A should count approximately 330-430 yd/300-400 m per 1.76 oz/50 g skein. In this case, choose a Yarn B that is approximately 3 times thinner than Yarn A. You should be able to pull a stitch of Yarn B through the bead hole.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #1.5/2.5mm circular needle, 31.5 inch/80 cm (for the lace section)
1 set US #1.5/2.5mm double pointed needles (optional, for the sleeve frills: they can be worked using a circular needle and the Magic Loop Technique)
1 set of US #2.5/3mm double pointed needles (for neckline i-cord)
2 US #4/3.5mm circular needles, 31.5 inch/80 cm (for the plain body and hem)
1 US #15/0.5mm crochet hook for beads

Notions
waste yarn for provisional cast on (thickness should match the thickness of yarn A)
166[173, 199, 223, 236, 252, 265, 276, 285] beads at least 6mm diameter or larger
yarn needle

GAUGE

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

27 sts/38 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
26 sts/24 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in lace pattern

PATTERN NOTES

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

The body of this top is worked flat from the bottom up. Front and back are seamed together using mattress stitch. The sleeves are then worked seamlessly in the round top down after picking up stitches along the armholes.

The Lace charts include three charts for each size: the chart for the Lace section is used for both the front and the back of the top, with separate charts for the Front and Back neck and shoulder shaping. Please be sure to use the correct charts for your size.

Placing beads: Work the last (WS) row of the plain body section using Yarn B. A bead in the next (RS) row as indicated in the chart should be placed on the stitch before it is worked so that the bead sits right on the thicker part of the fabric. Beads in the lace section and along the neckline can be placed in the same way.

Distribution of beads:

	XS	S	M	L	1X	2X	3X	4X	5X
Both Sleeves	42	42	48	54	56	58	60	64	66
Base of lace section	88	94	106	120	128	140	146	150	156
Neckline	36	37	45	49	52	54	59	62	63
Total	166	173	199	223	236	252	265	276	285

This project uses a provisional cast on with waste yarn as described here. However, you can use your preferred provisional cast on technique.

M1: Use M1R, M1L or the backwards loop M1 as preferred.

i-cord: Video tutorial here

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Front
Hem
With largest circular needle and waste yarn, provisionally cast on 124[128, 146, 164, 172, 194, 204, 210, 220] stitches.

Work Hem facing:
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, knit to end of row.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1-2 4 times more. 10 rows total.

Work Picot edge:
Row 11: *K2tog, yo; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 12: Sl 1, purl to end of row.

Finish hem:
Row 13: Sl 1, knit to end of row.
Row 14: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Repeat Rows 13-14 4 more times.

Remove waste yarn and place the provisionally cast on stitches onto the second largest circular needle. Fold the piece toward the inside of the work with the WS facing and join the cast on edge to the live stitches as follows:

Joining row [RS]: K2tog (one stitch from just worked row and 1 st from provisional cast on; repeat to end. 124[128, 146, 164, 172, 194, 204, 210, 220] stitches.

Next row [WS]: Purl to end of row.

Body
Work 104[92, 92, 90, 80, 78, 78, 78, 76] rows in stockinette stitch, or until piece measures 10.75[9.5, 9.5, 9.25, 8.25, 8, 8, 7.75, ] inches/ 27.5[24, 24, 23.5, 21, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20] cm from the joining round.

Work side increases:
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, M1, knit to the last st before the end of row, M1, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1, knit to end of row.
Row 4 [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1-4 6[10, 10, 12, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15] more times. 138[150, 168, 190, 204, 226, 236, 242, 252] stitches.

Then repeat Rows 1-2 20[20, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31] times. 178[190, 214, 242, 258, 282, 294, 302, 314] stitches.
Note: On the last WS row, switch to Yarn B and purl to end of row.

Lace section
Switch to the smallest circular needle and begin working the Front/Back Lace chart for your size as follows:

Size XS:
Work Chart Rows 1-14 once.
Work Chart Rows 3-14 3 more times.
Work Chart Rows 3-4 once more. 108 sts rem.

Sizes S and M:
Work Chart Rows 1-14 once.
Work Chart Rows 3-14 3 more times.
Work Chart Rows 3-8 once. -[116, 140, -, -, -, -, -, -] sts rem.

Size L:
Work Chart Rows 1-18 once.
Work Chart Rows 3-18 twice.
Work Chart Rows 19-22 twice. 152 sts rem.

Size 1X:
Work Chart Rows 1-18 once.
Work Chart Rows 3-18 once.
Work Chart Rows 19-3 once.
Work Chart Rows 31-38 once.
Work Chart Rows 35-38 once. 167 sts rem.

Size 2X:
Work Chart Rows 1-8 once.
Work Chart Rows 7-8 25 more times. 170 sts rem.

Sizes 3X[4X, 5X]:
Work Chart Rows 1-4 once.
Work Chart Rows 3-4 26 more times. -[-, -, -, -, -, 183, 191, 203] sts rem.

All sizes:
Work through the end of the Front/Back Lace chart, then work the Front Neck chart for your size.

Back
Work as for Front to Lace Section.

Lace section:
Work as for the Front to the end of the Front/Back Lace chart.

Work the Back Neck chart for your size.

Seam Front and Back together at shoulders and sides. With 1 pair of middle-sized needles and yarn A, work a 4 stitch i-cord along the neckline, picking up stitches along the neckline from underneath the bind off row.

Sleeves
With largest circular needle and Yarn A, pick up 84[84, 96, 108, 112, 116, 120, 128, 132] stitches along the armhole edge. Join to work in the round.

Work in Stockinette stitch for 4[4.5, 4.5, 4.75, 4.75, 4.75, 5.25, 5.25, 5.25] inches/ 10[11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13] cm.

Switch to Yarn B and work one more round.

Switch to smallest needle and work the frill from the chart as follows:
Set up rnd 1: Work Rnd 1 of the Lace chart placing beads on the knit stitch (stitch 1) of each repeat first then working this stitch and the yos on both sides of it (see also “Placing beads” in Pattern Notes).
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K1, yo; rep from * to end. 168[168, 192, 216, 224, 232, 240, 256, 264] stitches.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: Work Rnd 1 of the Sleeve Lace chart.
Rnd 6: Knit.
Rnd 7: Work Rnd 3 of the Sleeve Lace chart
Rnd 8: Knit.
Work in Lace pattern as established for 4[4, 4.25, 4.25, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.75, 4.75] inches/ 10[10, 10.5, 10.5, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12] cm.

Bind off the last row of the frills using crochet hook as follows: *Make 1 chain stitch, put on the left needle, pull the yarn through the last 2 stitches on the left needle, repeat from * to end.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block by gently washing the garment. Lightly stretch the body of the top, pull the frills out to open them up, pin them, and let dry flat.

A – Flat width at point where lace changes to stockinette (high bust including arms): 26[27.75, 31.25, 35.25, 37.5, 41.25, 43, 44, 45.75] inches/ 66[70.5, 79.5, 89.5, 95.5, 104.5, 109, 112, 116.5] cm
A2 – Bust circumference: 36.25[37.5, 42.5, 47.75, 50.25, 56.5, 59.5, 61.25, 64.25] inches/ 92[95, 108, 121.5, 127.5, 143.5, 151, 155.5, 163] cm.
B – Flat hip width: 24.5[27.5, 31.25, 35.25, 37.5, 41, 43, 48, 45.25] / 66[70.5, 79.5, 89.5, 95.5, 104.5, 109, 122, 116] cm
C – Total length: 24.75[25.5, 26.5, 27.75, 28.5, 28.5, 28.75, 29, 29] inches/ 62[64, 66.5, 69.5, 71.5, 71.5, 72, 72.5, 72.5] cm
D – Sleeve length (without frill): 4[4.5, 4.5, 4.75, 4.75, 4.75, 5.25, 5.25, 5.25] inches/ 10[11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13] cm
E – Frill length: 4[4, 4.25, 4.25, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.75, 4.75] inches/ 10[10, 10.5, 10.5, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12] cm
F – Sleeve circumference: 12.5[12.5, 14.25, 16, 16.75, 17.25, 17.75, 19, 19.5] inches/ 31[31, 35.5, 40, 41.5, 43, 44.5 47.5, 49, ] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Olga Radchuk lives in Vienna, Austria, with her husband and knits all (well, almost all) her free time. Being deprived of needles and yarn, which fortunately does not happen too often, makes her rather unbearable. If she is not knitting, she is either reflecting upon a new craft project, trying to invent a veggie dish that does not look like a veggie dish, or is simply sick.

Find her on Ravelry and Instagram.