free knitting pattern: "Kayesha" woman's summer top by Leanne Dyck

'Kayesha' a figure-flattering tunic. 

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 1^st ball of yarn work [XS – 5/ S – 10/M – 15] L -20 [1X –25/ 2X –30] stitches in 1 x 1 rib stitch

From 2^nd 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 1^st ball of yarn work [XS – 5/ S – 10/M – 15] L -20 [1x –25/ 2x –30] stitches in 1 x 1 rib stitch

From 2^nd 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. : )

Next post (Thursday):  Writer's royalties and advance

free knitting pattern: September's Promise vest by Leanne Dyck

Now that I'm devoting my life to writing, I look back with pride at my knitting designs--one of favourite patterns is this vest.

September's Promise Vest

I designed this vest to be worn by men--but women like it too. And it's so easy to knit

Finished sweater measurements:

Chest: 38 [42/46/50/54/58] inches

Length:  25.5 [26.5/27/27.5/28/28.5] inches

Knitting needles:  6 mm/US 10 OR size to OBTAIN TENSION

Yarn:  worsted weight  

(approximately) 630 (840/1,050/1,260/1,470/1,680) yards

I used Meadowmist Farm Ragg wool

Stitch holder:  one

Tension:  4 stitches = one inch worked over Stockinette stitch.

4 x 4 rib stitch (over an even number of stitches):

Row 1:  *knit 4, purl 4 – continue from * to end of row.

Repeat row for pattern.

4 x 4 rib stitch (over an odd number of stitches):

Row 1:  *knit 4, purl 4 – continue from * to end of row.

Row 2:  *purl 4, knit 4 – continue from * to end of row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

Stockinette stitch:

Row 1:  knit – to end of row.

Row 2:  purl – to end of row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

garter stitch:

Row 1:  knit – to end of row.

Repeat row for pattern.

Back:

Cast on 76 [84/92/100/108/116] stitches

Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 2 inches

Work in Stockinette stitch for 17 [17.5/18/18/18/18.5] inches

Armhole shaping:

At the beginning of the next two rows, cast off 8 stitches

Remaining stitches:  60 [68/76/84/92/100]

Work in Stockinette stitch for 8.5 [9/9/9.5/10/10] inches

Shoulder shaping:

At the beginning of the next two rows, cast off 8 [12/16/20/24/28] stitches.  Place (44 stitches) neck stitches on stitch holder.

Transfer (44 stitches) neck stitches to knitting needles.  

Work in garter stitch for 4 inches.

Cast off loosely in pattern.

Front:

Cast on 76 [84/92/100/108/116] stitches

Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 2 inches

Work 28 [32/36/30/34/38] stitches in Stockinette stitch, 20 [20/20/40/40/40] stitches in garter stitch, 28 [32/36/30/ 34/38] stitches in Stockinette stitch for 17 [17.5/18/18/18/18.5] inches

Armhole shaping:

At the beginning of the next two rows, cast off 8 stitches

Remaining stitches:  60 [68/76/84/92/100]

Neck shaping worked from two balls of yarn:

1^st ball:  Work 28 [32/36/30/34/38] stitches in Stockinette stitch, 10 [10/10/20/20/20] stitches in garter stitch

2^nd ball: Work 10 [10/10/20/20/20] stitches in garter stitch, 28 [32/36/30/34/38] stitches in Stockinette stitch

work for 6 inches.

Shoulder shaping:

At the beginning of the next two rows, cast off  8 [12/16/20/24/28] stitches.  Place (44 stitches) neck stitches on stitch holder.

Transfer (44 stitches) neck stitches to knitting needles.  Work in garter stitch for 4 inches.

Cast off loosely in pattern.

Armhole trim (make 2):

With right side facing, pick up 8 stitches from the underarm. Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 1 inch

Cast on 60 [64/64/68/72/72] stitches. Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 1 inch

Cast off

Finishing:

Sew neck seams. Sew on armhole trim. Sew side seams. Weave in ends.

While designing this garment, I consulted the Standards &Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting 

Every attempt has been made to ensure that the instructions are clear and correct.  Please notify me of any errors so I may correct them immediately.            © 10/05

***

Next post:  Fun for a writer (contests, etc.)

Free knitting pattern: Purse by Leanne Dyck

I love this purse—not only is it stylish, but it's also self-lined. All of which make it an ideal spring/summer purse. I've knit this purse from cotton, raw silk, linen, and hemp/cotton blend yarns. 

You will need two balls of worsted weight yarn (approximately 210 yards/192 metres each).

Knitting needles: one set of straight needles 4.50 mm (US 7/UK 7) and two double-point needles

Tension: 1" = 5 stitches

To make the body of the purse, use the double knit technique.

Cast on 45 stitches

Work in pattern for 13 inches.

Pattern:

Row 1: knit one, *slip stitch as if to purl (bringing yarn forward), knit one, continue from * to last two stitches, slip stitch, knit one

Row 2: knit one, *knit one, slip stitch continue from * to last two stitches, knit two

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

This is what the double knit technique looks like on the needles.

and off...

This stitch pattern creates a lining for your purse.
Cast off two stitches at a time--a knit stitch and a slip stitch treated as one stitch.

To make the strap make an I-cord.

Cast on 4 to 6 stitches (depending on how thick you want your strap). The more stitches, the thicker the strap.

Work the first row in garter stitch

Once you've knit the first row, don't turn your work. Instead, keep the right side of the work facing you and slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. Bring the working yarn forward. Continue working in this manner until you begin to create a "tube." During the initial rows of I-cord, the wrong side may resemble little ladders. Fear not, the laddering will disappear as you continue to work while maintaining tension.

Work the cord to the desired length.

To assemble the purse...

Fold the purse like an envelope. Make the first fold 8 1/2 inches down from the top. The folded piece should be 5 inches deep.

Sew the sides.

Fold the top flap down.

Sew on strap.

(Optional) Attach a button closure.

Weave in ends