Blanche

By Just call me Ruby

Materials

Filatura di Crosa Zara Plus 100% extra fine merino wool (aran/sport weight yarn)
(50gm - 77 yards/70 metres approx) Machine washable
6(6, 7, 7, 8) x 50gm balls in Shade 29 - Main colour (M)
2 x 50gm balls in Shade 28 - Contrast colour (C)
1 pair 4mm (US #6) needles
1 pair 5mm (US #8 ) needles
& 1 spare 5mm (US #8) needle
6 stitch holders

Tension

18sts x 20 rows = 4 inches (10cm) using 5mm (US #8) needles over stocking stitch.

Size modelled: 38-40 inches

To fit sizes: 32-34 34-36 38-40 42-44 46-48

81-86 86-92 96-102 106-112 117-122

Finished chest size: 30 in 34 in 38 in 42 in 46 in

76cm 86cm 96cm 106cm 117cm

Abbreviations

M1 - make stitch by picking up loop between stitches and knitting the stitch.
dec - decrease
inc - increase

Pattern

Front

Using yarn M and 4mm (US #6) needles, cast on 56 (64, 72, 80, 88) sts.
Next row: *K2, P2, rep from * to end.
Repeat this row 7 more times.

Change to 5mm (US #8) needles, and commencing with a knit row work in stocking stitch, dec one stitch at each end of every 6 th row 4 times 48 (56, 64, 72, 80)sts.
Continue without shaping until work measures 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) inches 12.5 (12.5, 15, 15, 18 cm).
Increase each end of next and every following 4 th row until 72 (80, 88, 96, 104) sts. Work straight until work measures 13 (13, 14, 14, 15) inches 33 (33, 35.5, 35.5, 38 cm) ending with a purl row. **

Shape Neck: K15 ( 16, 18, 20, 22) turn, leaving rem sts on holder. Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Shape Armholes: Cast off 4sts at beg of row. Work one row. Dec one st at armhole edge of next and every foll alt row until 7 (7, 9, 11, 13) sts rem.

Continue without further shaping until inner edge measures 6 (7, 8, 9, 9) inches 15 (18, 20, 23, 23 cm).

Slip last 15 (16, 18, 20, 22)sts from holder onto 5mm (US #8) needle, work as first side reversing all shapings.

Back

Work as front to **
Work 3 further rows in stocking stitch.
Shape Armholes: Cast off 4sts at beg of next 2 rows. 64 (72, 80, 88, 96) sts.
Decrease one st at each end of every row until 54 (62, 70, 78, 86) sts rem.
Continue without further shaping until back is 2.5 inches (6 cm) shorter than front to shoulder, ending with a purl row.

Shape Neck: K7(7, 9, 11, 13) turn, leave rem sts on holder.
Work on these 7(7, 9, 11, 13) sts only in stocking st for 2.5 inches (6 cm)
Leave sts on a holder.
Rejoin yarn to last 7(7, 9, 11, 13) sts on holder and work to match first side.

Sleeves

Using yarn M and 4mm (US #6) needles, cast on 44 (48, 52, 52, 56)sts.
Next row: *K2, P2, rep from * to end.
Repeat this row 7 times.
Change to 5mm (US #8) needles and commencing with a knit row work in stocking stitch increasing 1 st at each end of this and every foll 4 th row until 56 (60, 64, 64, 68)sts. Continue without shaping till sleeve measures 4.5 (5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5) inches (11.5, 14, 16.5, 16.5, 16.5cm) ending with a purl row.

Shape Sleevehead

Cast off 3sts at beg of next 2 rows, then dec one st at each end of every row until 14(18, 22, 22, 26)sts rem.
Cast off.

Neck

Front neck

Using yarn C and 4mm (US #6) needles return 40 (48, 52, 56, 60) sts from front holder to needle.
Row 1: K1, M1, *P2, K2 rep from * to last 3 sts P2, M1, K1 (42, 50, 54, 58, 62 sts)
Row 2: P2, *K2, P2, rep from * to end.

Continue in 2x2 rib and at same time dec 1 st at beg of every row until 26 (34, 38, 42, 46)sts rem. Cast off in rib.

Back neck

Work as front.

Join shoulders

Return stitches on left front and back to 5mm (US #8) needles.
Place pieces back to back with right sides facing inwards and cast off sts using three needle bind off. Repeat with right front and back.

Side neck

Using yarn C and 4mm (US #6) needles and with right side facing, pick up 36 (42, 48, 54, 54)sts along one side of neck.
Row 1: *P2, K2, rep from * to end.
Continue in 2x2 rib and at same time dec 1 st at beg of every row until 22 (28, 34, 40, 40)sts rem.
Cast off in rib.
Repeat on other side of neck.
Using a slip stitch and yarn C sew front and side necks together.

Making up

Using mattress stitch or back stitch sew up side seams.
Sew up sleeve seams.
Insert sleeves into armholes and sew in place.
Darn in all ends.