Cates

Cates



This delicate, light-as-air top will thrill you with its simplicity. A straightforward A-line style in two identical pieces on large needles makes this a quick but impressive knit.

Sizes: Woman's small (medium, large, X-large, 2X-large, 3X-large) Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements

Chest: 34 (38,42, 46, 50, 54) inches with 0-2 inches ease

Length: 263/4 (271/4, 281/4, 283/4, 293/4, 301/4) inches

Materials

Grignasco Knits Merinosilk (lace weight; 75% extra-fine merino wool/25% mulberry silk; 381yds/25g per ball): 1 skein each dark mauve #1225 (A), light mauve #1224 (B) and ecru #001 (C)

Size 9 (5.5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge

14 sts and 18 rows = 4 inches/10cm in Big Lace pat with 2 strands yarn held tog.

12 sts and 18rows = 4inches/10cm in Little Lace pat with 2 strands yarn held tog.

13 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches/10cm in Seed st with 2 strands yarn held tog.

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Special Abbreviation

Slip, slip, purl (ssp): Slip next 2 sts kwise, 1 at a time, from LH to RH needle; slip these sts back to LH needle keeping them twisted; p2tog-tbl.

Pattern Stitches

Note: Charts are provided for those preferring to work pat sts from charts.

Big Lace (multiple of 8 sts + 9)

Row 1 (RS): K1, *k2, yo, sk2p, yo, k3; rep from * to end.

Row 2: *P2, yo, p2tog, k1, ssp, yo, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.

Row 3: K1, *yo, ssk, yo, sk2p, yo, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end.

Row 4: Rep Row 2.

Row 5: Rep Row 1.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: K2tog, *yo, k5, yo, sk2p; rep from * to last 7 sts, yo, k5, yo, ssk.

Row 8: P1, *ssp, yo, p3, yo, p2tog, p1; rep from * to end.

Row 9: K2tog, *yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, sk2p; rep from * to last 7 sts, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, [yo, ssk] twice.

Row 10: Rep Row 8.

Row 11: Rep Row 7.

Row 12: Purl.

Rep Rows 1-12 for pat.

Little Lace (multiple of 4 sts + 5)

Row 1 (RS): K1, yo, sk2p, *yo, p1, yo, sk2p; rep from *to last st, yo, k1.

Row 2: P2, *k1, p3; rep from * to last 3 sts, k1, p2.

Row 3: K2, p1, *k3, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 4: Rep Row 2.

Row 5: K2, p1, *yo, sk2p, yo, p1; rep from *to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 6: P2, *p2, k1, p1; rep from * to last 3 sts, p3.

Row 7: K3, *k1, p1, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 8: Rep Row 6.

Rep Rows 1-8 for pat.

Seed Stitch (odd number of sts)

Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * end.

Row 2: Knit the purl sts and purl the knit sts.

Rep Row 2 for pat.

Pattern Notes

Identical front and back pieces are worked from bottom up and then sewn together. Yarn is held doubled throughout. Work with 1 end from outside of ball and 1 end from inside. Work all increases and decreases 1 stitch from edge. Work a ssk decrease at the beginning of the row and a k2tog decrease at the end of the row. When working decreases, change to stockinette stitch at edges when there are not enough stitches to complete a yarn over and corresponding decrease (ssk or k2tog) set.

Front/Back

Make both the same

Using 2 strands of A held tog, cast on 73 (81, 89, 97, 105, 113) sts. Work 18 (18, 12, 12, 14, 14) rows in Big Lace pat. Dec 1 st at each edge on next row, then [every 6 (6, 4, 4, 4, 4) rows] 3 (3, 7, 7, 7, 7) more times, ending with a dec row—65 (73, 73, 81, 89, 97) sts. Work 5 (5, 3, 3, 3, 3) rows even. Cut A.

Change to B; work 2 rows in Little Lace pat. Dec 1 st at each edge on next row, then [every 6 rows] 5 (6, 3, 4, 5, 6) more times—53 (59, 65, 71, 77, 83) sts. Work even until piece measures 181/4 (181/4, 183/4, 183/4, 191/4, 191/4) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armholes

Bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows—45 (51, 55, 61, 65, 71) sts. Cut B.

Change to C and work in Seed st. Dec 1 st at each edge [every R5 row] 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) times—39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59) sts. Work even until armholes measure 6 (61/2, 61/2, 7, 7, 71/2) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Neck & Shoulders

Next row (RS): Work 11 (13, 14, 16, 17, 19) sts, bind off center 17 (17, 19, 19, 21, 21) sts, work to end. Working across first 11 (13, 14, 16, 17, 19) shoulder sts only, dec 1 st at neck edge [every RS row] 3 times—8 (10, 11, 13, 14, 16) sts. Work even until armhole measures 8 (81/2, 9, 91/2, 10, 101/2) inches, ending with a RS row. At shoulder edge, bind off 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts once, then 4 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts once. With WS facing, rejoin C at neck edge to sts still on needle; work to end. Dec 1 st at neck edge [every RS row] 3 times—8 (10, 11, 13, 14, 16) sts. Work even until armhole measures 8 (81/2, 9, 91/2, 10, 101/2) inches, ending with a WS row. At shoulder edge, bind off 4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts once, then 4 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8) sts once.

Finishing

Block pieces to measurements. Sew side and shoulder seams. Weave in all ends.