Designed to be knit by a beginner knitter.
This pattern was first published in A Needle Pulling Thread: the magazine promoting Canadian needle arts (spring, 2008)
Carla A. Canonico (editor-in-chief)
Kayesha
Finished tunic measurements:
Bust: XS –
30/ S – 34/ M – 38/ L – 42/ 1X – 46/ 2X – 50 inches
76.2 / 86.36 / 96.52 / 106.68 / 116.84 / 127 centimeters
Length: XS –
27.5/ S, M, L – 28/1x, 2x – 28.5 inches
69.85 / 71.12 / 72.39 centimeters
Knitting needles:
4.00 mm/US 6 OR size to obtain tension
Yarn: Ornaghi
Filati Italy bamboo worsted weight (approximately XS, S – 685 (625)/M, L
– 822 (750) /1X, 2X – 959 (875) yards (metres)
Gauge: 5
stitches x 7 rows = one inch (2.54 centimeters) worked over Stockinette stitch
Stockinette stitch
Row 1: knit – to end
of row.
Row 2: purl – to end
of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.
1 x 1 rib stitch (odd number of stitches)
Row 1: knit one,
purl one – continue to end of row.
Row 2: purl one,
knit one – continue to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.
1 x 1 rib stitch (even number of stitches)
Row 1: knit one,
purl one – continue to end of row.
Repeat row for pattern.
Back:
Cast on [XS – 74/ S – 84/ M – 94] L – 104[1X– 114/ 2X – 124]
stitches
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 4 inches. (10.16 centimeters)
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 20 stitches; Stockinette stitch
for [XS – 34/ S - 44/ M – 54] L – 64 [1X –74/ 2X – 84] stitches. Work for 4
inches. (10.16 centimeters)
Waist:
Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 7 inches. (17.78 centimeters)
This row: 1 x 1 rib
stitch for 20 stitches; decrease 10 stitches knit evenly across Stockinette
stitch section; 1 x 1 rib stitch for 20 stitches. Stitches remaining: [XS – 64/ S – 74/ M –84] L – 94 [1X – 104/
2X – 114] stitches.
Next row: 1 x 1 rib
stitch for 20 stitches; purl [XS – 24/ S – 34/ M – 44] L – 54 [1X – 64/ 2X –
74]; 1 x 1 rib stitch for 20 stitches
Upper body:
Work in established pattern for 6 inches. (15.24 centimeters)
Armhole shaping:
Next two rows:
decrease 10 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows while
maintaining established pattern. Stitches remaining: [XS – 44/ S – 54/ M – 64] L – 74 [1X – 84/ 2X– 94]
Work for [XS – 4 (10.16)/ S, M – 4.5 (11.43)] L, 1X, 2X -5 inches. (12.7 centimeters)
Neck:
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 1 inch. (2.54 centimeters)
Straps worked from two balls of yarn
From 1st ball of yarn work [XS – 5/ S –
10/M – 15] L -20 [1X –25/ 2X –30] stitches in 1 x 1 rib stitch
From 2nd ball of yarn decrease 34
stitches; work [XS – 5/ S – 10/M – 15] L -20 [1X –25/ 2X –30] stitches in 1 x 1
rib stitch
Work for 1 inch (2.54 centimeters)
Cast off.
Front:
Cast on [XS – 74/ S – 84/ M – 94] L – 104[1X – 114/ 2X –
124] stitches
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 4 inches. (10.16 centimeters)
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 20 stitches; Stockinette stitch
for [XS – 34/ S - 44/ M – 54] L – 64 [1X –74/ 2X – 84] stitches. Work for 4
inches. (10.16 centimeters)
Waist:
Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 7 inches. (17.78 centimeters)
This row: 1 x 1 rib
stitch for 20 stitches; decrease 10 stitches knit evenly across Stockinette
stitch section; 1 x 1 rib stitch for 20 stitches. Stitches remaining: [XS – 64/ S – 74/ M –84] L – 94 [1X – 104/
2X – 114] stitches.
Next row: 1 x 1 rib
stitch for 20 stitches; purl [XS – 24/ S – 34/ M – 44] L – 54 [1X – 64/ 2X – 74];
1 x 1 rib stitch for 20 stitches
Upper body:
Work in established pattern for 6 inches. (15.24 centimeters)
Armhole shaping:
Next two rows:
decrease 10 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows while
maintaining established pattern. Stitches remaining: [XS – 44/ S – 54/ M – 64] L – 74 [1x – 84/ 2x – 94]
Work for [XS – 2/ S, M – 2.5] L, 1X, 2X – 3 inches. (7.62 centimeters)
Neck:
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 1 inch (2.54 centimeters)
Straps worked from two balls of yarn
From 1st ball of yarn work [XS – 5/ S –
10/M – 15] L -20 [1x –25/ 2x –30] stitches in 1 x 1 rib stitch
From 2nd ball of yarn decrease 34
stitches; work [XS – 5/ S – 10/M – 15] L -20 [1X –25/ 2X –30] stitches in 1 x 1
rib stitch
Work for 3 inch (7.62 centimeters)
Cast off.
Tips
To eliminate confusion, before working this design take a
few minutes to carefully read the entire pattern. Then highlight all
information that pertains to your size.
In the working of this design, cotton may be substitute for
bamboo.
Would you like to shorten or
lengthen the tunic? This is relatively
easy to accomplish. It is best to make these alterations between the bottom
trim and waist. Currently, the pattern requires you to: Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 20 stitches;
Stockinette stitch for [XS – 34/ S - 44/ M – 54] L – 64 [XL –74/ 2x – 84]
stitches. Work for 4 inches.
To lengthen, instead of working this area for 4
inches (10.16 centimeters) work it for 5 (12.7 centimeters) or more inches. To shorten, instead of working this area
for 4 inches work it for 3 (7.62 centimeters) or less inches. Ensure that the length of the back
and front match.
Finishing
Sew strap seams. Sew side seams to waist. Weave in ends.
***
This is the last hand knitting pattern I'll be sharing for a while. For the entire summer season--Monday, June 3rd to Monday, August 29th--I'm planning to share...a fun summer project. : )
This is the last hand knitting pattern I'll be sharing for a while. For the entire summer season--Monday, June 3rd to Monday, August 29th--I'm planning to share...a fun summer project. : )
Next post (Thursday): Writer's royalties and advance
