Crocheters who want a quick but elegant wear-everywhere tunic will delight in Melissa Leapman's Darla Tunic, constructed using a half double crochet stitch throughout. The loftiness of the Luxair yarn keeps the sweater light as well as warm, espe­cially with the extended cowl.

SIZES: Darla is sized to fit Women’s S (M, L, 1X, 2X)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Bust 35 (39, 43, 47, 51)" Length 29 (29W, 29Vz, 30, 30)"

MATERIALS: 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) (10g; 120yd) balls

Skacel/Schulana Luxair (50% baby alpaca, 10% merino wool, 19% lurex, 13% nylon) color #44

Simple shaping can be so effective, especially when it's paired with a fabulous face-framing cowl, as in Melissa Leapman's Darla Tunic in lofty, shimmery Luxair yarn. The pattern is sized through 2X and can be knitted up in no time using size US 13 needles.

SIZES: Darla is sized to fit Women’s S (M, L, 1X, 2X)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Bust 35 (39, 43, 47, 51)" Length 29 (29¹/₂, 29¹/₂, 30, 30)"

MATERIALS: 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) (10g; 120yd) balls

Skacel/Schulana: Luxair (50% baby alpaca, 10% merino wool, 19% lurex, 13% nylon) color #41

The black of the turtlenek is mirrored in the hem and sleeve bands. This balances the busy pattern nicely.

Size: 48/50, 52/54, and 56/58. Figures for sizes 52/54 and 56/58 are given in parentheses, in ascending order, separated by a dash. If only one figure is given, it applies for all three sizes.

Materials: Schoppel Wolle “Reggae” (100% virgin wool, approx. 100 m/110 yds/50 g) 400 (450-500) g of natural, col 980, and 550 (600- 650) g of black, col 880; addi knitting needles, sizes 7 mm, 8 mm, and 9 mm (US 10V2,11, and 13), and 1 circular needle, size 8 mm (US 11), 40 cm/ 16" long.

Rib pattern: k 1, p 1 alternately.

Pullover or mini-dress? Let's just say striped dress, a garment for all occasions. Pair it with opaque leggings for a sophisticated purist look.

Size: 34/36, 38/40, and 42/44. Figures for sizes 38/40 and 42/44 are given in parentheses, in ascending order, separated by a dash. If only one figure is given, it applies for all sizes.

Materials: ITO “Kinu” (100% silk, approx. 425 m/ 472 yds/ 50 g) 200 (200-250) g each of White, col 121, and Black, col 120; addi knitting needles, size 3 mm (US 2-3).

Rib pattern: k 2, p 2 alternately.

Size: approx. 145 x 128 cm/57" x 50¹/₂''.

Materials: Austermann “Softy“ (98% virgin wool, 2% polyamide, approx. 53 m/60 yds/50 g): 1200 g of light gray, col 21.8249-07; small amount of contrasting yarn of a similar weight; addi circular knitting needle, size 15 mm (US 19), 120 cm/48" long.

Garter stitch: k RS and WS rows.

Stocking stitch: k RS rows, p WS rows

Chain stitch selvage: k the 1st st of every row and slip the last st of every row, with the yarn in front of the needle.