Knitty: Summer 2007

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by Hilary Engebretson Ask most kids what color the ocean is and you will get a confident reply of “blue!” But that isn’t true ‘round here. Ask a true Pacific Northwesterner about the ocean’s color and you will find that it is a variation on the color GREEN. When I saw this yarn, I immediately thought of the water’s color on a beautiful summer day. What better to knit, then, than a silky summer top. The eyelet ribs, threaded with gorgeous silk ribbon in another ocean-y color, are a nod to the huge stands of kelp that grow beneath the waves. This versatile piece can also serve as a fabulous layering piece as the weather turns a bit cooler. The top portion is knit in a loose gauge to give the silk yarn a nice, loose drape.
model: Hilary Engebretson photos: Bryant Engebretson


SIZE
XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size M)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 27 [31, 35, 39, 43, 47, 51] inches Length: 19 [19.5, 20, 21, 21.5, 22, 22] inches

MATERIALS
Treenway Silks 20/6 Bombyx Silk [100% silk; 315 yd/290 m per 100g skein]; color: JY 9; 2 [2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins A note about the color: Treenway fibers come in a natural white color. You can knit it up in the natural color, choose one of Treenway’s 100+ colors, or dye it yourself. 1 set US #4/3.5mm straight needles 1 set US #7/4.5mm straight needles 2 stitch markers Stitch holder Tapestry needle Approx. 2.5yd/3m silk ribbon, 0.25 inch/7mm wide; ribbon used in sample was from Treenway silks, color JY 14 Sewing needle & thread to match yarn

GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st using larger needles 24 sts/38 rows = 4 inches in 3x2 Rib using smaller needles

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]
3x2 Rib [Worked over a multiple of 5 sts + 3]: Row 1 [RS]: [K3, p2] to last 3 sts, k3. Row 2 [WS]: [P3, k2] to last 3 sts, p3. Repeat these 2 rows for 3x2 Rib. Eyelet Rib Pattern for Size XS Only [Worked over 17 sts]: Row 1 [RS]: P2, [k3, p2] 3 times. Rows 2 and 4 [WS]: K2, [p3, k2] 3 times. Row 3 [RS]: P2, [k1, yo, k2tog, p2] 3 times. Repeat Rows 1-4 for Eyelet Rib pattern. Eyelet Rib Pattern for Sizes S through 3X [Worked over 21 sts]: Row 1 [RS]: P4, [k3, p2] 3 times, p2. Rows 2 and 4 [WS]: K4, [p3, k2] 3 times, k2. Row 3 [RS]: P4, [k1, yo, k2tog, p2] 3 times, p2. Repeat Rows 1-4 for Eyelet Rib pattern. 1x1 Rib [Worked over an even number of sts]: Row 1: [K1, p1] to end. Repeat this row for 1x1 Rib. 1x1 Rib [Worked over an odd number of sts]: Row 1 [RS]: [K1, p1] to last st, k1. Row 2 [WS]: [P1, k1] to last st, p1. Repeat these 2 rows for 1x1 Rib.

DIRECTIONS
FRONT Lower Body Using smaller needles, loosely CO 73[82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132] sts. Set-up Row [RS]: [K3, p2] 2[2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] times, k3, place marker, work Row 1 of Eyelet Rib pattern, place marker, [k3, p2] to last 3 sts, k3. This row sets placement of 3x2 Rib and Eyelet Rib patterns for Front. Work in patterns as set until work measures 5.5[5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5] inches, ending with a WS row. Upper Body: Next Row [RS]: Using larger needles, k to marker, work in Eyelet Rib pattern as set to next marker, k to end. Next Row [WS]: Using larger needles, p to marker, work in Eyelet Rib pattern as set to next marker, p to end. Sizes XS, S Only: Next Row [RS]: K3, k2tog, k8, work in Eyelet Rib pattern as set to next marker, k3, [k2tog, k8] 4 times, k0[5, -, -, -, -, -]. Sizes M, L Only: Next Row [RS]: K-[-, 3, 8, -, -, -], k2tog, k13, work in Eyelet Rib pattern as set to next marker, [k13, k2tog] 3 times, k-[-, 8, 13, -, -, -]. Sizes 1X, 2X, 3X Only: Next Row [RS]: K-[-, -, -, 8, 13, 18], k2tog, k18, work in Eyelet Rib pattern as set to next marker, [k18, k2tog] 3 times, k-[-, -, -, 3, 8, 13]. All Sizes: 68[77, 88, 98, 108, 118, 128] sts remain. Continue in pattern as set, working sts between markers in Eyelet Rib pattern and all other sts in stockinette st, until work measures 12[12.25, 12.5, 13, 13, 13, 13] inches or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row. Shape Armholes: Note: During armhole shaping, 2 sts at each edge are worked in garter st. Decrease Row [RS]: P1, p2tog, work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. Sizes M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only: Work -[-, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1] rows in pattern, maintaining 2 sts at each edge in garter st. Repeat Decrease Row. Repeat these -[-, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2] rows -[-, 1, 4, 7, 11, 14] times more. All Sizes: 66[75, 82, 86, 90, 92, 96] sts remain. Continue in pattern until work measures 18.5 [19, 19.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 21.5] inches, ending with Row 1 of Eyelet Rib pattern (a RS row). Remove markers when working last row. Using smaller needles, work neckline as follows: Row 1 [WS]: P11, place marker, k to last 11 sts, place marker, p11. Row 2 [RS]: P2, k7, p2, work in 1x1 Rib to next marker, p2, k7, k2. Row 3 [WS]: P11, work in 1x1 Rib to next marker, p11. Repeat Rows 2 and 3 once more, removing markers while working last row. Straps Note: When the top is worn, these straps will be at the back of the garment. Next Row [RS]: P2, k7, p2, place 11 sts just worked on st holder for left strap; BO 44[53, 60, 64, 68, 70, 74] sts (11 sts remain, including st on right needle), p1, k7, p2. Right Strap: Odd-numbered Rows 1-11 [WS]: P all sts. Row 2 [RS]: P1, p2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, p2. 10 sts. Row 4 [RS]: P1, p2tog, k5, p2. 9 sts. Row 6 [RS]: P1, p2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, p2. 8 sts. Row 8 [RS]: P1, p2tog, k3, p2. 7 sts. Row 10 [RS]: P2, k1, yo, k2tog, p2. Row 12 [RS]: P2, k3, p2. Repeat Rows 9-12 until strap measures 3 inches, ending with a WS row. Place all sts on st holder and break yarn. Left Strap: Replace held sts of left strap on needle with WS facing and rejoin yarn. Odd-numbered Rows 1-11 [WS]: P all sts. Row 2 [RS]: P2, ssk, yo, k4, p2tog, p1. 10 sts. Row 4 [RS]: P2, k5, p2tog, p1. 9 sts. Row 6 [RS]: P2, ssk, yo, k2, p2tog, p1. 8 sts. Row 8 [RS]: P2, k3, p2tog, p1. 7 sts. Row 10 [RS]: P2, ssk, yo, k1, p2. Row 12 [RS]: P2, k3, p2. Repeat Rows 9-12 until strap measures 3 inches, ending with a WS row. Place all sts on st holder and break yarn. BACK Lower Body Using smaller needles, loosely CO 73[82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132] sts. Work in 3x2 Rib until work measures 5.5[5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5] inches, ending with a WS row. Using larger needles, work 2 rows in stockinette st, beginning with a RS row. Sizes XS, S Only: Next Row [RS]: [K8, k2tog] 6[7, -, -, -, -, -] times, k13. Size M Only: Next Row [RS]: K8, k2tog, [k13, k2tog] 5 times, k8. Size L Only: Next Row [RS]: [K13, k2tog] 6 times, k13. Sizes 1X, 2X Only: Next Row [RS]: K-[-, -, -, 8, 13, -], k2tog, [k18, k2tog] 5 times, k-[-, -, -, 3, 8, -]. Size 3X Only: Next Row [RS]: [K18, k2tog] 6 times, k13. All Sizes: 67[76, 87, 97, 107, 117, 127] sts remain. Continue in stockinette st until work measures 12[12.25, 12.5, 13, 13, 13, 13] inches or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row. Shape Armholes: Note: During armhole shaping, 2 sts at each edge are worked in garter st. Decrease Row [RS]: P1, p2tog, k to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. Sizes M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only: Work -[-, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1] rows in stockinette st, maintaining 2 sts at each edge in garter st. Repeat Decrease Row. Repeat these -[-, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2] rows -[-, 1, 4, 7, 11, 14] times more. All Sizes: 65[74, 81, 85, 89, 91, 95] sts remain. Continue in stockinette st until work measures 15.5 [16, 16.5, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 18.5] inches, ending with a RS row. Next Row [WS]: P2, k to last 2 sts, p2. Work 4 rows in 1x1 Rib, maintaining 2 sts at each edge in garter st. BO all sts.

FINISHING
Block pieces to measurements shown in schematic, following care instructions given for yarn. Sew side seams. Sew live sts of straps to upper edge of back, so that outer edges of straps are aligned with outer edges of upper back. Weave in ends. Thread ribbon through Eyelet Rib panel on front. Try on tank to determine correct length for ribbon, ensuring that ribbon lays flat but does not pull. Sew ends of ribbon to WS of tank. If desired, thread ribbon through eyelet holes in shoulder straps, sewing ends in place as for front.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Hilary is a wife, mother of two, and college biology instructor in Washington State. She is hoping that it will eventually stop raining long enough for summer to come to the Pacific Northwest.
Pattern & images © 2007 Hilary Engebretson. Contact Hilary