Linen yarn is quite fascinating. It starts stiff and crispy,
not exactly the “ooh I love the way this yarn feels” experience.
But then after a few washings it becomes
soft and graceful with a nice drape.
So, I thought a roman style tunic with
a billowing top and flowing bottom would be perfect for this
yarn. Finished off with a lace edging, it becomes perfectly pretty
and romanic.
The tunic is worked form the bottom up in the round until the bodice. Then
it is worked back and forth in four different sections and then grafted
at the shoulders.
The lace pattern is not complicated, making it suitable for a novice lace
knitter. If you are new to lace knitting you may wish to use stitch markers
between your repeats. This makes it easier to keep track of where you are
in the lace repeat and helps you find mistakes.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
US #7/4.5mm circular needle - 24 or 32 inches for smaller sizes,
32 or 40 inches for larger sizes.
Notions Yarn
needle Stitch
markers Stitch
holders or waste yarn
GAUGE
16
sts/24 rows = 4" in stockinette st before washing
20 sts/22 rows = 4" in stockinette st after washing
If substituting yarn, be sure the washed and blocked gauge of your
swatch matches the gauge given after washing.
PATTERN
NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and
techniques can be found here.]
Instructions for the Backward Loop Cast
On
can be found here.
DIRECTIONS
SKIRT
Using backward loop method, CO 171[190, 209, 228, 247, 266,
285] sts. Place marker and join to begin
working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work Rounds 1-32 of chart; 19 sts of chart pattern will be worked
9[10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15] times in each round.
Work Rounds 33-34 of chart 20[22, 23,
25, 26, 28, 29] times.
Note: As written, length of skirt will
be 13[13.75, 14, 15, 15.25, 16, 16.5]
inches after washing. To change length, work more or fewer repeats
of Rounds 33-34.
A difference of 4 rounds will change
length by approx. 0.75 inch.
Tie Casing: Round 1: K all sts, evenly decreasing
1[0, 3, 2, 1, 0, 3] sts. 170[190, 206, 226, 246, 266, 282]
Rounds 2-3: K all sts.
Round 4: K46, yo, k2tog, k to end.
Round 5: K46, k2tog, k to end. 169[189,
205, 225, 245, 265, 281] sts.
Rounds 6-7: K all sts.
Round 8: *Insert tip of left needle into
purl bump at back of st 7 rounds below next st on left needle;
k this st together with next st on left needle; repeat from *
until all sts have been worked.
UPPER RIGHT FRONT Next Round: K46, BO 1 st, k41[46, 50, 55, 60, 65, 69]; 42[47,
51, 56, 61, 66, 70] sts on right needle after bound off st. Upper
right front will be worked back and forth over these 42[47, 51,
56, 61, 66, 70] sts; place remaining 126[141, 153, 168, 183,
198, 210] sts on st holders or waste yarn.
**Work 11 rows in stockinette st, ending with a WS row.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 3 rows stockinette st.
Repeat these 4 rows 9[10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 14] times more. 22[25, 27, 30, 33, 36, 40] sts.
Next Row [RS]: K all sts, decreasing 1[1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1] st.
21[24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39] sts.
Work 4[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] rows in stockinette
st.
Note: As written, work will measure
10.5[11, 11.5, 12.25, 13, 13.75, 13.75] inches
from under-bust to shoulder, after washing.
If you have a very large bust, you may wish
to make the upper front sections an inch
or two longer than the upper back sections.
Next Row [WS]: [P3tog] to end. Place remaining 7[8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13] sts on st holder or waste yarn. Break yarn, leaving a
tail approx. 18 inches long.**
UPPER LEFT FRONT With WS facing, place 42[47, 51, 56, 61, 66, 70] held sts of
upper left front (sts next to bound off center front st, opposite
right front sts) on needle. Join yarn at neckline edge (center
front).
Work from ** to ** as for upper right
front.
UPPER RIGHT BACK With WS facing, place 42[47, 51, 56, 61, 66, 70] held sts of
upper right back on needle and join yarn at center back.
Work from ** to ** as for upper right
front, but do not remove sts from needle after last row is worked.
Graft remaining sts to held sts of upper right front.
UPPER LEFT BACK With WS facing, place remaining 42[47, 51, 56, 61, 66, 70] held
sts on needle and join yarn at side (underarm) edge.
Work from ** to ** as for upper right
front, but do not remove sts from needle after last row is worked.
Graft remaining sts to held sts of upper left front.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Tie:
Cut four strands of yarn approx. three
times desired length of tie. Tie strands together at one end,
and secure to a fixed object. Twist strands together until
they begin to curl tightly. Fold twisted strands in half so
that ends meet and cord twists back in itself; knot ends securely
together.
Attach safety pin to one end of cord and
thread through casing, with ends emerging at center front opening.
Machine wash and dry garment at least three times to soften
fabric.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Jennifer Wood designs for Wood House Knits.
She taught herself to knit 10 years ago and loved it so much she
began designing her own patterns. It has been wonderful outlet
for her creative energy. She has an absolutely wonderful husband,
three amazing children, a fine son-in-law, a sweet, sweet grand
baby and two bad dogs. Recently, she began selling her patterns
through her business Wood House Knits. Her patterns can be found
on her website woodhouseknits.com and through woodhouseknits.esty.com.
and on Raverly under woodhouseknits.
Notions
FINISHING