by Kate Wisson

Cheesy and just in time for spring: a shaped, sexy-lady sweater with a heart motif and superfine ruffles! The piece is worked in the round to the armholes, then back and forth for the remainder. The sleeves are optional and can be worked either flat or in the round. The narrow ribbing makes for a form-fitting silhouette and the modified v-neck flatters the face - a combination sure to draw attention!

model: K Wisson     photos 1 & 3: Amy R Singer     photos 2 & 4: Bill Wisson

S [M, L]
32-36" [38-42", 44-48"] bust

MATERIALS

[MC] Patons Classic Wool [100% wool; 223 yds per 3.5 oz skein]; color: black; 5 [7, 9] skeins
[CC] Sandnes Garn Kitten Mohair [30% mohair, 20% wool, 50% acrylic; 180 yds per 1.75 oz skein]; color: pink; 1 skein

1 36" US #5/3.75 mm circular needle
1 16" US #5/3.75 mm circular needle
1 24" US#7/4.5mm circular needle
1 16" US#7/4.5mm circular needle
1 set US#7/4.5mm straight needles

stitch markers
stitch holders
tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4" in K2, P1 rib [slightly stretched] using #7 [4.5mm] needles

BODY:
Note: Don't panic. The body ruffle is worked in two pieces and then joined and worked in the round to the armholes.

Start with ruffled hem.

**With the #5 36-inch circular needle, CO 372 [444, 504] sts in MC.  Working back and forth:
1st round:  *P2, lift the 2nd st worked over the 1st and off the needle [as you would to bind off], then P2 more sts, lift the second st you worked over the first and off.  Repeat from * across.
2nd round:  *K2 tog, rep across. **
Switch to #7 needle and p across all sts.
On #5 36-inch circular needle, rep from ** to **.  Break yarn.
Using the same #7 needle that holds the first piece and the yarn attatched to it, p across all sts from the second piece.
Join; 186 [222, 252] sts on needle.
Place marker, and working in the round in K2, P1 rib, work across 93 [111, 126] sts, place marker, and finish round [slip markers every row].
Work even in rib pattern for 1 inch.
Dec 1 st before and after each marker on next row and every foll 3rd row to 150 [186, 216] sts.
Work even to 6.5 [7, 7.5] inches from beginning [including ruffle].
Inc 1 st before and after each marker on next and every foll 5th [6th, 5th] row to 178 [214, 252]sts.
For first two sizes only: Inc 1 st before each marker on next 5th [6th] row. 180 [216, 252] sts.
Work even to 12 [13, 14] inches from beginning, including ruffle.
K 1 round even.
Follow Fair Isle chart [at right] for the next 12 rows using CC doubled [2 strands] in St st.
K 1 round even.

FRONT:

Shape armholes:
BO 3 [4, 4] sts, k 87 [104, 122], turn [placing rem. sts on a holder].
Working in k2p1 rib, BO 3 [4, 4] sts at beg. edge of the next 3 rows then dec 1 st at each edge of next and every other row to 72 [88, 104] sts.

Shape Neck:
With RS facing, work 34 [42, 50] sts, K2tog, turn.
Cont on the left side of front only, dec 1 st at neck edge on every row until there are 18 [24, 30] sts on the needle.
Work even to 7 [7.5, 8] inches from beg. of armhole.

Shape Shoulder:
BO 6 [8, 10] sts at shoulder edge 3 times.
Work the right side of front as for left, reversing shaping.

BACK:
Return the 90 [108, 126] sts from the holder to the #7 needle, join a new ball of yarn and BO 3 [4, 4] sts, k 87 [104, 122].
Working in k2p1 rib, BO 3 [4, 4] sts at beg edge of following 3 rows then dec 1 st at each edge of next and then every other row to 72 [88, 104] sts.
Work even to 7 [7.5, 8] inches from beg. of armhole shaping, end with RS facing.

Shape neck and shoulders:
Work 19 [25, 31] sts, K2tog and turn, leaving rem. sts on holder.
Work WS rows even; on following RS rows, BO 6 [8, 10] sts at shoulder edge, K2tog at neck edge.
BO final 6 [8, 10] sts. Break yarn.
Place 30 [34, 38] center sts on a holder, join yarn and work second side as for first, reversing shaping.

SEW TOGETHER SHOULDER SEAMS.

Neckband:
With the #5 US needle, pick up 22 [30, 36] sts up front right from tip of V, 28 sts up to the seam, 8 sts down right back neck, 30 [34, 38] sts off the holder, 8 sts up left back neck, 28 sts down front left to the V, and 22 [30, 36] sts down front left V. 146 [166, 184]sts on needle.

Work in k1 p1 rib as follows:
Row 1:  work even
Row 2:  work 21 [29, 35] sts, p2tog tbl, work 100 [104, 108] sts, p2tog, work 21 [29, 35] sts.
Row 3:  work 20 [28, 34] sts, K2tog, work 100 [104, 108] sts, K2tog tbl, work 20 [28, 34]sts.
Row 4:  work 19 [27, 33] sts, p2tog tbl, work 100 [104, 108] sts, p2tog, work 19 [27, 33] sts.
Row 5:  work 18 [26, 32] sts, K2tog, work 100 [104, 108] sts, K2tog tbl, work 18 [26, 32]sts.
Row 6:  work 17 [25, 31] sts, p2tog tbl, work 100 [104, 108] sts, p2tog, work 17 [25, 31] sts.

BO all sts loosely in rib.
Sew down one edge of neckband to the inside of the neck shaping, then overlap the other neckband edge and sew it to the outside of the neck shaping.

Sleeves [optional] - make 2
[Can be worked flat or in the round. Directions below are for working flat.]

With the #5 16-inch circular, CO 168 [184, 200] sts.
Row 1:  *P2, lift 2nd st over the 1st and off the needle, rep from *
Row 2:  *K2tog, rep from *.
42 [46, 50] sts on needle
Switch to #7 needles [join and place marker if working rounds].
Working in k2 p1 rib, inc 1 st at each edge or each side of center marker on every 6th [5th, 4th] row to 72 [82, 90] sts.
Work even to 18.5 [19, 19] inches [unstretched] from beginning.

Divide at center and Shape Cap:
BO 3 [4, 4] sts at beg. of next 4 rows.
Dec 1 st at each edge of next row and then every other row 9 [8, 5] times, then on each row 9[9, 13] times.
BO 2 [3, 3] sts at beg of next 4 rows.
BO final 14 [18, 24] sts loosely in rib.

Sew sleeves to body.
Weave in ends.