Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook (50 page)

NECK SHAPING

On next row, K2, k2tog, k9, p1. Slip these sts onto a holder. Now, BO the center sts as foll:

For sizes Small (Medium) only: BO 1, ssk, BO this ssk st by passing the st already on the RH needle over it, BO 0(1) st, *k2tog, BO this k2tog st as with ssk, BO 2 sts; rep from * once more, k2tog, BO as before, BO 1 (2) st(s)—14 (16) sts BO.

For sizes Large (Extra-Large) only: K2tog, k1, pass the k2tog st over the k1 st; *BO 3 sts; k2tog, BO this k2tog st by passing the st already on the RH needle over it; rep from * twice more, then BO 1 more st—18 sts BO.

Proceed to p1, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. You should now have 13 sts on a holder; the center 14 (16, 18, 18) sts BO; and another 13 sts on the right-hand needle (that’s the left shoulder).

Now finish shaping neck and shoulders foll instructions for back, beg at **.

SLEEVES

With smaller needles, CO 35 (35, 37, 39) sts. Work 6 rows even in St st, then change to larger needles on next row.

Cont in St st, *inc 1 st each side on next row, then work 7 rows even; rep from * until there are 51 (53, 53, 59) sts across; then work even to 20 (21, 21, 22)".

RAGLAN SHAPING

BO 4 (4, 4, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows.

Row 1 (RS): K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.

Row 2: P.

Rep these 2 rows until 9 sts remain. BO all sts.

FINISHING

Sew the front to both sleeves along the diagonal raglan edges. Sew the back to the left sleeve along the diagonal raglan edges. Leave the last armhole seam open while you knit the neckband.

NECKBAND

With RS facing and smaller needles, beg at the right back opening, pu 10 sts down the first “slope” of the back neck; 10 (12, 14, 14) sts across the center back; 10 sts up the second slope of the back neck; 7 sts across the sleeve; 10 sts down the first slope of the front neck; 10 (12, 14, 14) sts across the center front; 10 sts up the second slope of the front neck; then 7 sts across the last sleeve—74 (78, 82, 82) sts.

Now you have a choice. If you want to work a short, simple rolled neck, knit 8 rows of St st with the smaller needles. The knit side should be on the RS so that the edge will roll outward. BO.

If you want to work a turtleneck to be folded down, change to larger needles and knit as many rows of St st as you can bear, again with the knit side on the RS. If you want to be able to fold the collar over twice, you should knit at least 6". Then change to smaller needles, k 4 rows even, and BO.

Now sew the final armhole seam between the back and the sleeve, and sew the neckband seam tog. When you sew the neckband seam, make sure it appears neat from the wrong (purl) side, since that’s the side that will be facing out.

Sew the side and sleeve seams.

ABOUT JENNA

I taught myself to knit on one of many idle afternoons during my undergraduate days in 1994, and I soon became an addict. Because I was unaware that a beginner should start small and that cotton can be very heavy, my first finished project was a bulky sweater of my own design, knit from several strands of worsted-weight cotton yarn. The sweater still exists, but nobody has the strength to wear it.

In 2001, I launched my Web site,
www.girlfromauntie.com
, to commemorate my passion for knitting. When I’m not knitting, I spend my time as an attorney in Toronto, Ontario.

ANNIE MODESITT

I’m really tall, but I love short things—my kids, my car, my husband. Here you’ll learn how to make short rows—a knitting technique that is feared and misunderstood but just wants to be loved! This sweater is all about curves—making them, hugging them, and loving them! Nothing is as sexy as confidence, and nothing builds confidence like a flattering, well-shaped garment with a plunging neckline. So sit your butt down, knit this baby up, and exult in your mother-given shape!

S
IZES

Small (Medium, Large, Extra-Large)

Finished bust: 34 (36, 39, 42)"

Finished length: 21½ (22¼, 23, 23½)"

M
ATERIALS

Classic Elite
Lush
(50% angora/50% wool; 50g/123 yds)

7 (8, 9, 10) skeins #4407

US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

US 8 (5mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

G
AUGE

20 sts and 26 rows = 4" in k2, p2 rib on smaller needles

S
TITCH
P
ATTERN

K2, P2 RIB (MULTIPLE OF 4 STS + 2)

Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 2: *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.

W&T (WRAP AND TURN)

Slip next st to RH needle, wrap yarn around stitch (bring yarn to back if purling, bring yarn to front if knitting) and return to LH needle. Turn work and begin working back in the opposite direction.

D
IRECTIONS

BACK

With smaller needles, CO 86 (90, 98, 106) sts. Work in k2, p2 rib for 13½ (14, 14½, 15)".

ARMHOLE SHAPING

BO 6 sts at beg of next 2 rows. BO 1 st at each armhole edge every other row 6 (6, 8, 9) times—62 (66, 70, 76) sts. Work even until armhole meas 6½ (6 3/4, 7, 7½)", ending with a WS row.

BACK NECK SHAPING

Work 16 (18, 20, 23) sts in rib, k30, work last 16 (18, 20, 23) sts in rib.

Next row (WS): Work 16 (18, 20, 23) sts in rib, k30,
stop
, do not finish row. Turn work to RS and k30, do not finish row. Turn work to WS and p30; work 2 more rows in St st; then BO loosely.

SHAPE SHOULDERS

With WS facing, attach yarn to neck edge of left shoulder sts and complete row. Attach 2nd ball of yarn to neck edge of right shoulder. Working both shoulders at one time, BO 2 sts from each neck edge twice, then BO 1 st every row twice. BO rem 10 (12, 14, 17) sts.

FRONT

Work as for back until piece meas 8½ (9, 9½, 10)" from beg.

Start short-row shaping to create empire waist as foll:

First set: (RS) work in rib to last 3 sts, W&T; (WS) work in rib to last 3 sts, W&T.

2nd set: (RS) work in rib to last 7 sts, W&T; (WS) work in rib to last 7 sts, W&T.

Cont short rows, always working to 4 sts from last W&T every row until 8 sts rem between last 2 W&T sts, end with a WS row.

Next row (RS): Work to end of row, k
all
sts, taking care to knit wrap tog with st.

Next row (WS): K the entire row, again working wrap tog with st as above. Work 4 more rows garter st.

BUST SHAPING

Change to larger needles. K3, ssk, k 16 (18, 20, 23), inc 1 in each of next 6 (6, 7, 8) sts, k 32 (32, 34, 34) sts, inc 1 in each of next 6 (6, 7, 8) sts, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3—96 (100, 110, 120) sts; p 1 row.

Dec row (RS): K3, ssk, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3. Rep dec row every other row twice more—90 (94, 104, 114) sts; p 1 row.

DIVIDE FOR V-NECK

With RS facing, left cup: K 3, ssk, k 38 (40, 45, 50), sl 1 st knitwise, k1. Join 2nd skein of yarn and work right cup: K1, sl 1 knitwise, k to end. Cont working both sides at the same time with separate skeins of yarn.