Fluidity is a tank top designed to work with the magnificent flow and drape of a pure silk yarn. It was inspired by the wonderful sea colors of the yarn (which was hand-painted by the model, Katie Grady) and an image of water flowing down a sheet of glass. Silk is a much misunderstood yarn. It is smooth and relatively heavy, and drops significantly with wear. Rather than fight this quality, Fluidity gives the yarn its head. It is worked at a loose gauge and between working and blocking, will drop over 4 inches in length. See how unusual the gauge is – mostly we are used to seeing more rows than stitches per square inch! This also means that while the stitch counts are large in this garment, there’s not as much knitting as you’d expect because of the relatively few rounds you’ll need to work. The final fabric is wonderfully drapey, and will gently skim your body in a most luxurious manner. |
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model: Katie Grady photos: Jason Donnelly |
SIZE |
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS |
MATERIALS Notions |
GAUGE |
36
sts/25 rows = 4" in Lace Pattern using largest needle,
AFTER BLOCKING Important: See Pattern Notes re. blocking technique used for this project. |
PATTERN NOTES |
To check your gauge, swatch and block as follows: ssp: Slip next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time, to right needle. Slip them both, purlwise, back to left needle. Purl them together through their back loops. sk2p: Sl 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 2 sts decreased. Blocking and Yarn Substitution: Maintaining Stitch Pattern When Shaping: Lace Pattern (Worked over a multiple of 9 sts): Crochet Cast On Instructions for the Cable Cast On can be found here. |
DIRECTIONS Using largest (US #4/3.5mm) needle and cable cast on method, CO 270[306, 342, 378, 414, 450, 486] sts. Set-up Row [WS]: P135[153, 171, 189, 207, 225, 243], place marker, p135[153, 171, 189, 207, 225, 243]. Next Row [RS]: Work Row 1 of Lace Pattern (9-st pattern repeat will be worked 30[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] times), place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. Continue working in Lace Pattern until Rounds 1-6 of pattern
have been worked 14 times, then work Rounds 1-5 once more. UPPER FRONT Next Round (Round 6 of Lace Pattern): K to last 7[9, 12,
14, 16, 18, 20] sts of round, BO 14[18, 24, 28, 32, 36,
40] sts, removing marker. 256[288, 318, 350, 382, 414,
446] sts. Next Row (Row 2 of Lace Pattern) [WS]: P60[67, 73, 80, 87, 94, 101], place marker, p1, place marker, p60[67, 73, 80, 87, 94, 101]. Markers indicate center st of neckline. Begin Armhole Shaping:
Sizes XS, S Only: Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in pattern to last 2 sts of first
section, k2tog; BO first 3 sts of next section, work in
pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog. For size S, [k2tog] for each section. Break yarn and draw through remaining st of each section. Proceed to Upper Back. For size XS, work as follows: Size M Only: Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in pattern to last 2 sts of first
section, k2tog; BO first 3 sts of next section, work in
pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog. Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in pattern to last 2 sts of first
section, k2tog; BO first 2 sts of next section, work in
pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog. Next Row [RS]: [K2tog] for each section. Break yarn and draw through remaining st of each section. Proceed to Upper Back. Size L Only: Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in pattern to last 2 sts of first
section, k2tog; BO first 3 sts of next section, work in
pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog. Next Row [RS]: [Ssk, k2tog] for each section. Sizes 1X, 2X, 3X Only: Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in pattern to last 2 sts of first
section, k2tog; BO first 3 sts of next section, work in
pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog. For size 1X, work as follows: For size 2X, work as follows: For size 3X, work as follows:
Place held 121[135, 147, 161, 175, 189, 203] sts of upper back on needle and join yarn with WS facing. Next Row (Row 2 of Lace Pattern) [WS]: P51[58, 64, 71, 78, 85, 92], place marker, 19, place marker, p51[58, 64, 71, 78, 85, 92]. Work Rows 1-6 of armhole shaping as for upper front. 99[105, 115, 127, 147, 153, 167] sts. Sizes M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only: Size 1X Only: All Sizes: Back Neckline: Sizes XS, 1X, 2X, 3X Only: Sizes S, M, L Only:
EDGING AND STRAPS Crochet cast on method is used for straps. Other provisional cast on techniques may be used instead if desired. Back Edging: Front Edging and Straps: Using waste yarn, work 2 crochet chains approx. 68 ch
long. Armhole Edgings and Straps: Carefully remove waste yarn from strap attached to right
armhole and place resulting live sts (approx. 63 sts) on
mid-sized needle. Using smallest needle and with RS facing,
k sts of strap, then pick up and k approx. 92[100, 114,
124, 136, 148, 164] sts along right armhole edge. Approx.
155[163, 177, 187, 199, 211, 227] sts. |
FINISHING Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add a couple of drops of mild shampoo or baby bath soap. Soak garment until it is thoroughly saturated. Rinse several times, adding a couple of drops of fabric conditioner or lavender oil to the final rinse. Remove garment from bucket, place it in a delicates bag or pillow case, and spin it in washing machine to remove excess moisture. Remove garment, hold it by the straps and give it a good flick or two. Hang garment on a padded hanger, pulling and shaping it to even out lower edges. Hang until dry. Try on garment, and adjust strap length if necessary. Sew straps in position, hiding any excess length inside garment. Weave in ends. |
ABOUT THE DESIGNER |
Jennie Pakula has been a fanatical knitter
since the age of 9. She
lives on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia,
with her husband, 2 early teen kids and
2 naughty cats. |
Pattern & images © 2010 Jennie Pakula. Contact Jennie |