Bougainvillea, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Bougainvillea

beauty shot by Merri Fromm

Tangy

Bougainvillea began with this beautiful yarn. Damask is a flowing, lightweight blend of silk and linen. It is soft and easy to work. I knew the fiber called for something pretty, delicate even. And since it is a precious yarn, a garment that doesn't require many hanks. I knit this for springtime when I feel like wearing a bright floral after a long winter. A pullover, it is in an A-line shape, with 3/4 length sleeves, knit with a loose gauge to look lacy as well as be a fast knit. This is the kind of top I want to pop on and feel fancy!

spacer model: Merri Fromm

spacer photos: Gaius Nelson

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X]
shown in size 2X with 4 inches/10 cm of ease at largest part of chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm: 26[30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62] inches/ 66[76, 86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137, 147.5, 157.5] cm
Length: 19.5[20, 21.25, 22.5, 23, 23.75, 24, 24.75, 25, 26] inches/ 49.5[51, 54, 57, 58.5, 60.5, 61, 63, 63.5, 66] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Miss Babs Damask [65% Cultivated Silk, 35% Bleached Linen; 420 yd/380 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: Bougainvillea; 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a fingering-weight 4-ply silk and linen. Choose a yarn that has little memory or bounce, but good drape.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set(s) US 3/3.25 mm needles for working flat
1 set of US 3/3.25 mm needles for working small circumference in the round

Notions
stitch markers
scrap yarn or stitch holders
yarn needle

GAUGE

21 sts/30 rows [or rounds, as applicable] = 4 inches/10 cm in reverse stockinette stitch

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

The right side of the pullover main stitch is reverse stockinette. It is much easier to count stitches and rows for your gauge if you count the stockinette (WS), not reverse stockinette (RS) side.

Construction method: The body of this A-line shaped pullover is worked flat, in pieces, from the bottom up and then seamed. Shoulders are finished with a 3-needle bind off. Set-in sleeve stitches are picked up at the armholes and worked top down in the round.

Rib Pattern (worked flat; multiple of 4 sts)
Row 1 [RS]: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Row 1 for patt.

CHARTS

Lace Panel
Row 1 [and every WS row unless otherwise indicated]: Purl.
Row 2 [RS]: K2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, ssk, yo, k2. 36 sts.
Row 4: K2, yo, k2tog, k3tog, k3tog, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, k3tog, k3tog, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2. 32 sts.
Row 5: P11, p2tog, p13, p2tog, p4. 30 sts.
Row 6: K2, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2.
Row 8: K2, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2. 36 sts.
Row 10: K2, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk, ssk, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk, ssk, ssk, yo, ssk, yo, k2.
Row 12: K2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, sl1 k2tog psso, sl1 k2tog psso, ssk, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, sl1 k2tog psso, sl1 k2tog psso, ssk, yo, k2. 32 sts.
Row 13: P4, p2tog tbl, p13, p2tog tbl, p11. 30 sts.
Row 14: K2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, sl1 k2tog psso, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, sl1 k2tog psso, yo, k2. 32 sts.
Row 16: K2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, k2. 36 sts.
Repeat Rows 1–16 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

Back
With longer needles for working flat, loosely CO 82[98, 106, 118, 134, 142, 158, 170, 182, 198] sts. Do not join.

Rib row 1 [RS]: P1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Rib row 2 [WS]: K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep last 2 rows 1 more time.

Begin Body:
Row 1 [RS]: Working in Reverse Stockinette stitch, purl to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Working in Reverse Stockinette stitch, knit to end.

Begin A-Line shaping:
Decrease row [RS]: P1, p2tog, work even in patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 80[96, 104, 116, 132, 140, 156, 168, 180, 196] sts.
Rep Decrease row every 14[10, 12, 12, 10, 10, 8, 8, 8, 6] rows 5[8, 7, 8, 10, 9, 12, 13, 13, 16] more times. 70[80, 90, 100, 112, 122, 132, 142, 154, 164] sts.

Cont to work even until piece measures 13[13.5, 14, 14, 14.5, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16] inches / 33[34.5, 35.5, 35.5, 37, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5] cm from cast-on, or desired length to armhole, ending after a WS row.

Begin armhole shaping:
Cont work even in patt, shape armholes as foll:

For size XS:
BO 1[-, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -] st at the start of the next row 4 times, work even in patt to end.
66[-, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -] sts.

For sizes S[M, L, 1X]:
Row 1 [RS]: BO -[2, 2, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, -] sts, work even in patt to end. -[78, 88, 97, 109, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: BO -[2, 2, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, -] sts, work even in patt to end. -[76, 86, 94, 106, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 3: BO -[2, 1, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, - sts] sts.
Row 4: BO -[2, 1, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, -] sts, work even in patt to end. -[72, 84, 88, 100, -, -, -, -, -] sts.

Row 5: P1, p2tog, work even in patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 2 sts dec, -[70, 82, 86, 98, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 6: Work even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows -[2, 1, 3, 4, -, -, -, -, -] more time(s). -[66, 80, 80, 90, -, -, -, -, -] sts.

For sizes 2X[3X, 4X, 5X, 6X]:
BO -[-, -, -, -, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3] sts at beginning of next 4 rows.  -[-, -, -, -, 110, 120, 130, 142, 152] sts.

Next row: P1, p2tog, work even in patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 2 sts dec,  -[-, -, -, -, 108, 118, 128, 140, 150] sts.
Next row: K1, k2tog, work even in patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec,  -[-, -, -, -, 106, 116, 126, 138, 148] sts.
Rep last 2 rows  -[-, -, -, -, 3, 4, 7, 9, 9] more times.  -[-, -, -, -, 94, 100, 98, 102, 112] sts.

Next row [RS]: P1, p2tog, work even in patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 2 sts dec, -[-, -, -, -, 92, 98, 96, 100, 110] sts.
Next row [WS]: Work even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows -[-, -, -, -, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1] more time(s). -[-, -, -, -, 90, 94, 94, 98, 108] sts.

All sizes:
Work even in Reverse St st until armhole measures 6[6, 6.75, 8, 8, 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.5] inches / 15[15, 17, 20.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 23, 24] cm, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: P 12[12, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 22] , BO 42[42, 48, 48, 50, 50, 54, 54, 58, 64] sts, purl to end. 12[12, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 22] sts rem for each shoulder.

Shape Left Shoulder:
Work in Reverse Stockinette for 3 rows. Break yarn. Place sts on holder for shoulder.

Shape Right Shoulder:
Attach yarn to RS of Right Shoulder, work in Reverse Stockinette for 3 rows. Break yarn. Place sts on holder for shoulder.

Front
With longer needles for working flat, loosely CO 82[98, 106, 118, 134, 142, 158, 170, 182, 198] sts. Do not join.

Rib row 1 [RS]: P1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Rib row 2 [WS]: K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep last 2 rows 1 more time.

Begin Lace Panel:
Row 1 [RS]: Working in Reverse Stockinette stitch, p 23[31, 35, 41, 49, 53, 61, 67, 73, 81] , pm, work Row 1 of Lace pattern over next 36 sts, pm, p 23[31, 35, 41, 49, 53, 61, 67, 73, 81] to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Working in Reverse Stockinette stitch, k 23[31, 35, 41, 49, 53, 61, 67, 73, 81] , sm, work Row 2 of Lace pattern, sm, k 23[31, 35, 41, 49, 53, 61, 67, 73, 81] to end.

Begin A-Line shaping:
Decrease row [RS]: P1, p2tog, work even in patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 80[96, 104, 116, 132, 140, 156, 168, 180, 196] sts.
Rep Decrease row every 14[10, 12, 12, 10, 10, 8, 8, 8, 6] rows 5[8, 7, 8, 10, 9, 12, 13, 13, 16] times more. 70[80, 90, 100, 112, 122, 132, 142, 154, 164] sts.

Cont to work even in patt until piece measures 13[13.5, 14, 14, 14.5, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16] inches / 33[34.5, 35.5, 35.5, 37, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5] cm from cast-on, or desired length to armhole to match Back, ending after a WS row.

Begin armhole shaping:
Cont work even in patt, shape armholes as foll:

For sizes XS:
BO 1[-, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -] st at the start of the next row 4 times, work even in patt to end.
66[-, -, -, -, -, -, -, -, -] sts.

For sizes S[M, L, 1X]:
Row 1 [RS]: BO -[2, 2, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, -] sts, work even in patt to end. -[78, 88, 97, 109, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: BO -[2, 2, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, -] sts, work even in patt to end. -[76, 86, 94, 106, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 3: BO -[2, 1, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, -] sts, work even in patt to end. -[74, 85, 91, 103, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 4: BO -[2, 1, 3, 3, -, -, -, -, -] sts, work even in patt to end. -[72, 84, 88, 100, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 5: P1, p2tog, work even in patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 2 sts dec, -[70, 82, 86, 98, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Row 6: Work even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows -[2, 1, 3, 4, -, -, -, -, -] more time(s). -[66, 80, 80, 90, -, -, -, -, -] sts.

All sizes:
Work even in patt until armhole measures 6[6, 6.75, 8, 8, 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.5] inches / 15[15, 17, 20.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 23, 24] cm, ending after a WS Lace Panel row that is 36 sts (Lace Panel rows 1, 3, 9 or 11).

Next row [RS]: P 12[12, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 22] , BO 42[42, 48, 48, 50, 50, 54, 54, 58, 64] sts, purl to end.

Shape Right Shoulder:
Work in Reverse Stockinette for 3 rows. Break yarn. Place sts on holder for shoulder.

Shape Left Shoulder:
Attach yarn to RS of Left Shoulder, work in Reverse Stockinette for 3 rows. Break yarn. Place sts on holder for shoulder.

Join Shoulders:
With RS facing, join FRONT and BACK at shoulders using 3-Needle Bind Off.
Sew side seams.

SLEEVES
Shape sleeve cap:
With RS facing, using shorter needles for working small circumference in the round and starting at center of underarm, pick up and knit 46[46, 50, 58, 58, 60, 62, 64, 64, 68] sts evenly to shoulder seam, pm, then pick up and knit 46[46, 50, 58, 58, 60, 62, 64, 64, 68] sts to center of underarm. Pm and join to work in the round. 92[92, 100, 116, 116, 120, 124, 128, 128, 136] sts.
Next row [RS]: Purl to shoulder marker, sl m, p 12[12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18] w&t.
Next row [WS]: K 12[12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18] , sl m, k 12[12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18] , w&t.

Next row: Purl to wrapped st (picking up wrap with st), w&t.
Next row: Knit to wrapped st (picking up wrap with st), w&t.
Repeat last 2 rows 23[23, 23, 27, 27, 31, 31, 31, 31, 35] more times.

Cont to work Rev St St in the round for 1 round, working rem wraps with wrapped sts.

Sleeve Decreases
 Decrease rnd: P1, p2tog, purl to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 2 sts decreased. 
Purl 2[2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1] rnds. 
Repeat last 3[3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] rnds 23[23, 27, 33, 33, 33, 35, 35, 35, 39] more times. 44[44, 44, 48, 48, 52, 52, 56, 56, 56] sts.

Work even in Reverse St st until sleeve measures 10[10.25, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11.5, 11.5] inches/ 42[43, 44.5, 45.5, 46.5, 46.5, 47, 47, 48.5, 48.5] cm from underarm, or 0.5 inch / 1 cm shorter than desired total length.

Rib rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end. 
Rep last rnd 3 more times.  BO loosely in patt.
Repeat for second sleeve.

FINISHING

Neckband 
With RS facing, using smaller circ and starting at a Right shoulder seam, pick up and knit 44[44, 48, 48, 52, 52, 56, 56, 60, 64] sts across back neck, 44[44, 48, 48, 52, 52, 56, 56, 60, 64] sts across front to right shoulder seam. Join to work in the round and pm for beg of round. 88[88, 96, 96, 104, 104, 112, 112, 120, 128] sts.
Rib rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd. 
Rep Rib rnd 3 more times. 
BO loosely in rib patt.

A—Chest circumference at underarm: 26[30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62] inches/ 66[76, 86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137, 147.5, 157.5] cm
B—Hem circumference: 30.75[36.5, 40, 44.75, 50.25, 54, 59.5, 64, 68.5, 74.5] inches/ 78[92.5, 101.5, 113.5, 127.5, 137, 151, 162.5, 174, 189] cm
C—Body length: 19.5[20, 21.25, 22.5, 23, 23.75, 24, 24.75, 25, 26] inches/ 49.5[51, 54, 57, 58.5, 60.5, 61, 63, 63.5, 66] cm
D—Armhole length: 6.5[6.5, 7.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 10] inches/ 16.5[16.5, 18.5, 21.5, 21.5, 22, 23, 23.5, 24, 25.5] cm
E—Shoulder width: 2.25[2.25, 3, 3, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.75] inches/ 5.5[5.5, 7.5, 7.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 12] cm
F—Back neck width: 8[8, 9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 10.25, 11, 12.25] inches/ 20.5[20.5, 23.5, 23.5, 24, 24, 26, 26, 28, 31] cm
G—Sleeve cap length: 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25, 4.75] inches/ 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 11, 11, 11, 12] cm
H—Upper arm circumference: 17.5[17.5, 19, 22, 22, 22.75, 23.5, 24.5, 24.5, 26] inches/ 44.5[44.5, 48.5, 56, 56, 58, 59.5, 62, 62, 66] cm
I— Forearm circumference: 8.5[8.5, 8.5, 9.25, 9.25, 10, 10, 10.75, 10.75, 10.75] inches/ 21.5[21.5, 21.5, 23.5, 23.5, 25.5, 25.5, 27.5, 27.5, 27.5] cm
J—Sleeve length: 10[10.25, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11.5, 11.5] inches/ 25.5[26, 26.5, 27.5, 28, 28, 28, 28, 29, 29] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Merri lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she spends her days doing a little bit of wellness coaching and a lot of dreaming about what she's going to knit next, while working on her current knitting project. As a resident of Minnesota, she feels knitting is a required life skill. She lives with her husband and the sweet but very needy cat, Quigley.

You'll find more of her work on Ravelry.