Cee Shell, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Cee Shell

beauty shot

by Sara Hemsath (Hazel's Daisies)

Tangy

Living in south Texas means summers spent on the coast. Nautical themes and transitional pieces abound.

Inspired by the bold, graphic design of the Nautical Alphabet "C" flag with its even striped panel of blue, white, red, white, blue, Cee Shell blends maritime tradition with modern style. The garment is knit in a slimming, alternating indigo and cream sequence of stripes, beginning at the top and bottom of the garment with larger stripes and fading to the smallest stripes at the waist.

Cee Shell is a bottom-up, high-neck shell/tank worked in merino wool, which makes it perfect for temperature control, to keep you cool on hot summer days and warm on cooler beach nights. The color "Whales Road" was specifically chosen as it covers the entire Indigo spectrum – from indigo blues to indigo purples. The design is meant to fit with up to 4 inches/10 cm of negative ease at the bust with a tailored, classic feel throughout the garment. The bottom features a folded edge for a clean look, with picked up i-cord edges along the neckline and armholes.

spacer model: Sara Hemsath

spacer photos: Jill Durgin

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size L with 3.75 inches/4.5 cm of negative ease at bust

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust: 29.25[33.25, 37.25, 39.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25, 53.25, 57.25] inches/ 74.5[84.5, 94.5, 99.5, 105, 115, 125, 135.5, 145.5] cm
Length: 21[21.5, 22, 22, 22, 22, 22.5, 22.5, 23.25] inches/ 53.5[54.5, 56, 56, 56, 56, 57, 57, 59] cm

Note: Garment is designed to have 2.75 to 4 inches/7 to 10 cm of negative ease at bust. See pattern notes for choosing the best size.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Malabrigo Yarns Rios [100% superwash merino wool; 210 yd/192 m per 100 g skein];
[MC] Whales Road; 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3] skeins
[CC1] Natural; 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3] skeins
[CC2] Ravelry Red; 1 skein

Yarn Characteristics
The yarn used for the sample is a light worsted-weight 100% superwash wool with a high twist. If choosing a different yarn, look for something springy that will hold its shape well.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4.0 mm circular needles, 24-40 inch/60-100 cm length (choose cable length shorter than bust circumference being worked)
1 set US #6/4.0 mm DPNs for working i-cord edging

Notions
stitch markers, including 3 locking markers
stitch holders or waste yarn
yarn needle

GAUGE

20 sts/30 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch worked in the round.

PATTERN NOTES

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

Construction method: The body of this shell is worked in the round from the bottom up, with a fitted waist. Bust shaping is added in the form of bust darts for all sizes. The body is divided at the armpits for neckline and shoulder shaping. I-cord edging is picked up and worked around the neck and armholes.

Choosing a size: It is recommended to select a size with about 2.75-4 inches/7-10 cm of negative ease at the bust.

How to add length: If additional length is desired, the middle stripe pattern is where to add that length. There will be a note in the pattern on how to add length at that time.

Techniques:

SPECIAL STITCHES

Lower Stripe Pattern
Rounds 1-8: With CC1, knit 8 rnds.
Rounds 9-16: With MC, knit 8 rnds.
Rounds 17-22: With CC1, knit 6 rnds.
Rounds 23-28: With MC, knit 6 rnds.
Rounds 29-32: With CC1, knit 4 rnds.
Rounds 33-36: With MC, knit 4 rnds.

Waist Stripe Pattern
Rounds 1-2: With CC1, knit 2 rnds.
Rounds 3-4: With MC, knit 2 rnds.
Rep these 4 rnds for patt.

Upper Stripe Pattern
Rounds 1-4: With MC, work in St st for 4 rnds.
Rounds 5-8: With CC1, work in St st for 4 rnds.
Rounds 9-14: With MC, work in St st for 6 rnds.
Rounds 15-20: With CC1, work in St st for 6 rnds.
Rounds 21-26: With CC2, work in St st for 6 rnds.
Rounds 27-32: With CC1, work in St st for 6 rnds.
Rounds 33-38: With MC, work in St st for 6 rnds.
Rounds 39-46: With CC1, work in St st for 8 rnds.
Rounds 47-54: With MC, work in St st for 8 rnds.
Rounds 55-64: With CC1, work in St st for 10 rnds.
Rounds 65-74: With MC, work in St st for 10 rnds.
Rounds 75-86: With CC1, work in St st for 12 rnds.

Armhole i-cord edging
Note: Pick up 1 st per slipped stitch and 1 st per BO stitch. Inspect your work every so often and adjust the pick-up rate as necessary.

With WS facing and using DPNs and MC, CO 3 sts. Do not yet slide sts to other end of needle. Starting as directed by pattern, *pick up and knit 1 st, from body as directed, slide sts to other end of needle, k2, k2tog. Rep from * to end.

Neckline i-cord edging
Note: Pick up 1 st per slipped stitch and 1 st per BO stitch. Inspect your work every so often and adjust the pick-up rate as necessary.

DIRECTIONS

Body
With circ and MC, CO 130[150, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230, 250, 270] sts. Pm and join to work in the round. Beg of rnd is at left side seam.

Hem
With MC, knit 8 rnds.
Folding round: Purl.
Knit 8 rnds.
Joining round: Fold cast-on edge behind work, with CO edge parallel with live sts on needle. *Knit together 1 st from needle with 1 st from CO edge; rep from * to end of rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.

Begin Lower Stripe Pattern:
Join CC1 and work Rounds 1-36 of Lower Stripe Pattern, placing a stitch marker halfway (after first 65[75, 85, 90, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135] sts) on last rnd.

Begin Waist Stripe pattern:
Work 26[30, 34, 34, 34, 34, 38, 38, 42] rounds in waist stripe pattern or until work measures desired length to beginning of bust shaping, ending after 2 rnds of CC1.

Shape bust and begin Upper Stripe Pattern (read ahead - stripe pattern happens at the same time as bust shaping):
Begin working Upper Stripe Pattern; AT THE SAME TIME, shape bust as foll:

Round 1: K 8[9, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17] , M1L, pm, k 49[57, 63, 68, 71, 79, 87, 93, 101] , pm, M1R, k 8[9, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17] , sl m, k 65[75, 85, 90, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135] to end. 2 sts increased.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: Knit to m, M1L, sl m, knit to m, sl m, M1R, knit to side seam m, sl m, knit to end. 2 sts inc.
Round 4: Knit.
Rep Rounds 3-4 six times more. 146[166, 186, 196, 206, 226, 246, 266, 286] sts: 16[17, 19, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25] sts between each side seam and bust shaping marker, 49[57, 63, 68, 71, 79, 87, 93, 101] front sts between shaping markers.

Work even in Upper Stripe pattern for 19[17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3] rnds, leaving bust shaping markers in place.

Shape armholes:
Next rnd: BO 3[5, 5, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10] sts, knit to 3[5, 5, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10] sts before side seam m, BO 6[10, 10, 16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20] sts, knit to 3[5, 5, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10] sts before end of rnd, BO next 3[5, 5, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10] sts. 134[146, 166, 164, 174, 194, 214, 226, 246] sts: 59[65, 75, 74, 79, 89, 99, 105, 115] sts for Back, 75[81, 91, 90, 95, 105, 115, 121, 131] sts for Front.

Place back sts on holder or waste yarn.

Note: To change colors while working stripe pattern in St st, sl the first st of the row in previous color and join new color on second st. This will create a selvage edge to pick up the i-cord border during finishing.

Upper Front
Note: Cont to work flat in Upper Stripe Pattern.
Bust and armhole dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to 2 sts before m, k2tog, sl m, knit to m, sl m, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 4 sts decreased.
Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end.
Repeat last 2 rows 4[3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5] times more, removing both bust shaping markers on last row. 55[65, 71, 74, 79, 85, 95, 101, 107] sts rem.

Armhole dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end.
Repeat last 2 rows 3[5, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10] times more. 47[53, 59, 58, 61, 67, 75, 79, 85] sts.

Next row [RS]: Sl 1, ssk, k 11[13, 15, 15, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23] , k2tog, k1, BO 13[15, 17, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27] sts (1 st rem on needle after BO), ssk, k 11[13, 15, 15, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23] , k2tog, k1. Cont on these 15[17, 19, 19, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27] sts for Right Front only.

Shape right front shoulder:
Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Neck and armhole dec row [RS]: Sl 1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep last 2 rows once more. 11[13, 15, 15, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23] sts.

Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Armhole dec row [RS]: Sl 1, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.
Rep last 2 rows 2[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 7, 6, 8] times more. 8[8, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts rem.

Work even in patt for 21[17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 11, 13, 9] rows, slipping the first st of every row and ending after Row 86 of Upper Stripe Pattern.

Bind off.

Shape left front shoulder:
Join yarn to 15[17, 19, 19, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27] sts held for left front shoulder with WS facing.

Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Neck and armhole dec row [RS]: Sl 1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep last 2 rows once more. 11[13, 15, 15, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23] sts.

Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end of row.
Armhole dec row [RS]: Sl 1, ssk, knit to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep last 2 rows 2[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 7, 6, 8] times more. 8[8, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts rem.

Work even in patt for 21[17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 11, 13, 9] rows, slipping the first st of every row and ending after Row 86 of Upper Stripe Pattern.

Bind off.

Back
Note: Cont to work flat in Upper Stripe Pattern.

Join yarn for next row of Upper Stripe Pattern to 59[65, 75, 74, 79, 89, 99, 105, 115] sts held for Back with RS facing.

Armhole dec row [RS]: Sl 1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end.
Rep last 2 rows 12[15, 16, 16, 17, 19, 23, 23, 27] times more. 33[33, 41, 40, 43, 49, 51, 57, 59] sts rem.

Work even in patt for 14[12, 10, 12, 12, 10, 4, 6, 0] rows.

Next row [RS]: Sl1, k 6[6, 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12] , k2tog, k1, BO 13[13, 17, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27] (1 st rem on needle after BO), ssk, k 7[7, 9, 9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13] . Cont on these 9[9, 11, 11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15] sts only for left back shoulder.

Shape left back shoulder:
Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end.
Next row [RS]: Sl 1, ssk, knit to end. 8[8, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts.

Work even in patt for 7 rows, slipping the first st of every row.

BO all sts, leaving a tail for seaming.

Shape right back shoulder:
Join yarn to sts held for right back shoulder with WS facing.

Next row [WS]: Sl 1, purl to end.
Next row [RS]: Sl 1, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8[8, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts.

Work even in patt for 7 rows, slipping the first st of every row.

BO all sts, leaving a tail for seaming.

FINISHING

Weave in ends and block to measurements. Seam shoulders (see Pattern Notes).

Armhole Edging
Starting and ending at center of underarm, work Armhole i-cord edging around each armhole.

Neckline Edging
Starting and ending at center back of neckline, work Neckline i-cord edging around neckline.

Weave in remaining ends.

A—Waist circumference: 26[30, 34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches / 66[76, 86.5, 91.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137] cm
B—Bust circumference: 29.25[33.25, 37.25, 39.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25, 53.25, 57.25] inches / 74.5[84.5, 94.5, 99.5, 105, 115, 125, 135.5, 145.5] cm
C—Body length: 14.25[14.5, 14.75, 14.5, 14.25, 13.75, 14.25, 13.75, 14.25] inches / 36[37, 37.5, 37, 36, 35, 36, 35, 36] cm
D—Armhole length: 6.75[7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, 9] inches / 17[18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 23] cm
E—Cross shoulder width: 6.5[6.5, 8.25, 8, 8.5, 9.75, 10.25, 11.5, 11.75] inches / 16.5[16.5, 21, 20.5, 21.5, 25, 26, 29, 30] cm
F—Back neck width: 3.5[3.5, 4.25, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 5.75, 6.25] inches / 9[9, 11, 10, 11.5, 12.5, 14, 14.5, 16] cm
G – Length to bust shaping: 9.5[10, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 11, 11, 11.5] inches / 24[25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5, 28, 28, 29] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Sara is an avid knitter, crocheter, and hand-dyed yarn collector. She is currently a stay-at-home mom to two amazing kids who are her biggest cheerleaders.

Find her on Instagram.