Size: 38 (BR) / 4 (US)

Abbreviations: r.: row/round, dec.: decrease, diag.: diagram, st.: stitch, sts.: stitches, k.: knit, p.: purl.

Stitches Used: Fantasy st. (in the round): follow diag. 1, Stockinette st. (in the round): follow diag. 2, Stockinette st. (back-and-forth rows): follow diag. 3, Garter st. (back-and-forth rows): follow diag. 4, Double decrease (sk2p.): slip 1 st. knitwise, knit 2 sts. together, pass the slipped st. over the knitted stitch. Simple decrease (ssk.): slip 1 st. knitwise, knit 1 st., pass the slipped st. over the knitted stitch.

Gauge: a 4” (10 cm) square in stockinette stitch (diag. 3) using 5.0 mm needles = 19 sts. x 30 rows.

Instructions
Transfer the pattern pieces to tracing paper to use as a reference when making the piece. Follow the arrows in the measurement diagram to see the direction of the work.

Blouse: Knit the front and back in one piece in circular rounds, starting from the hem. Using Jeans yarn in Spring color, cast-on 162 sts. onto the 5.0 mm circular needle. Join in the round with a simple decrease (ssk.), leaving 161 sts. on the needle. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of each round. Knit in the fantasy st. following diag. 1 and the repeat sts. from the 1st to the 66th round. At the end of the 66th round, dec. 1 st., totaling 160 sts.; Continue knitting in the round in stockinette st. following diag. 2 and the repeat sts. for another 3.5” (9 cm). Now, work the front and back separately in back-and-forth rows. Leave the 80 sts. for the front on the 5.0 mm circular needle and place the next 80 sts. for the back on a latch hook to continue later.

Cont. - Front: With the 80 sts. on the 5.0 mm circular needle, continue as follows: 3 edge sts. (diag. 4), 74 sts. (diag. 3), 3 edge sts. (diag. 4). Begin shaping the armholes by binding off 1 st. every 2 rows, after and before the edge stitches (14x). At 16” (41 cm) from the beginning, knit in garter stitch following diag. 4 and the repeat sts. from the 1st to the 6th row. For the straps, bind off the 46 center sts., leaving 3 sts. on each side (straps). Work the straps over these 3 sts. in garter stitch following diag. 4 and the repeat stitches. At 10” (26 cm) for each strap, bind off all stitches.

Cont. - Back: Return the 80 reserved sts. from the latch hook to the 5.0 mm circular needle and proceed as follows: 3 edge sts. (diag. 4), 74 sts. (diag. 3), 3 edge sts. (diag. 4). Shape the armholes in the same way as the front: bind off 1 st. every 2 rows, after and before the edge stitches (14x). At 16” (41 cm) from the beginning, finish the piece in garter stitch following diag. 4 and the repeat sts. from the 1st to the 6th row. Bind off all stitches. Using the tapestry needle, sew the straps to the back with basting stitches.

Designer: Renata Vieira