Interlaced Diamond Top

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Small (Medium, Large, 1X, 2X) to fit bust 36″ (40″, 44″, 48″, 52″) and armhole depth 9″ (9″, 10″, 10″, 10″); Total length: 25″; Sleeve length to underarm: 3″

Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rows = 4″ (10 cm) with size 6 needles or size to obtain gauge

Materials

Yarn: GGH Bali (50% cotton, 50% acrylic; 104 yards (95 meters)/50 grams): Lavender (6 (7, 8, 9, 10 balls)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles, 2 US size 5 (3.75 mm) double pointed needles
Notions: Tapestry needle

Abbreviations

s2kp: Slip two stitches together, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over
ssk:  Slip, slip, knit

Special Stitches

Vandyke Leaf Pattern – Panel of 23 sts
Row 1: K3, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k7.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Purl.
Row 3: K2, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k6.
Row 5: (K1, k2tog, yo) twice, k7, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k5.
Row 7: K3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, k2, s2kp, k2, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k7.
Row 9: K4, yo, ssk, k1, yo, k1, s2kp, k1, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k8.
Row 11: K5, yo, ssk, k1, yo, s2kp, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k5.
Row 13: K6, yo, ssk, (k2tog, yo, k1) twice, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k4.
Row 15: K7, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k3.
Row 17: K6, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k2.
Row 19: K5, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k7, (yo, ssk, k1) twice.
Row 21: K7, yo, ssk, k1, yo, k2, s2kp, k2, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3.
Row 23: K8, yo, ssk, k1, yo, k1, s2kp, k1, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k4.
Row 25: K5, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k1, yo, s2kp, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k5.
Row 27: K4, (k2tog, yo, k1) twice, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k6.
Repeat rows 1-28 for pattern.

Pattern

Back

Cast on 97 (109, 121, 131, 143) sts. Work 8 rows of garter stitch then switch to stockinette stitch and work even for 4″ (10 cm).

Shape Waist

Decrease on both sides every 4 rows 4 times. (89 (101, 113, 123, 135) sts)
Work even for 1″ then increase on both sides every 6 rows 4 times. (97 (109, 121, 131, 143) sts)
Work even until piece measures 12″ (12″, 11″, 11″, 11″).

Armhole Shaping

Bind off 6 (6, 8, 8, 8) sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. Decrease 1st each side every other row 5 times. (85 (97, 105, 115, 127) sts)
Work even until piece measures 20″.

Shape Back Neck

On the next right side row, work next 26 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts. Attach another ball of yarn and bind off next 23 (37, 41, 47, 55) sts and work next 26 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts.
Work both sides at once.
Decrease 1 stitch on each side of the neck edge, every other row 11 (13, 15, 16, 16) times. (15 (17, 17, 18, 20) sts)
When piece measures 25″, bind off all sts loosely.

Front

Cast on 97 (109, 121, 131, 143) sts.
Work 8 rows of Garter stitch.
Switch to Stockinette stitch and work Vandyke pattern at the center as follows:
K37 (43,49, 54, 60), work next 23 sts in Vandyke pattern, k37 (43,49, 54, 60).
Work same as back for waistline and armhole shaping. Continue until piece measures 15″.

Shape Neck

On the next right side row, work next 26 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts. Attach another ball of yarn and bind off next 23 (37, 41, 47, 55) sts and work next 26 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts.
Work both sides at once.
Decrease 1 stitch on each side of the neck edge, every other row 11 (13, 15, 16, 16) times. (15 (17, 17, 18, 20) sts)
When piece measures 25″, bind off all sts loosely.

Sleeve (Make 2)

Cast on 65 (67, 71, 75, 79) sts.
Work 8 rows of Garter stitch. Switch to Stockinette stitch increase 1 stitch on both sides every other row 10 times. (85 (87, 91, 95, 99) sts)
Work even until piece 3″.

Cap Shaping

Bind off 6 (6, 8, 8, 8) at the beginning of next 2 rows. (73 (75, 75, 79, 83) sts)
Decrease 1 stitch on both sides every other row 26 (26, 26, 28, 29) times.
Bind off remaining 21 (23, 23, 23, 25) sts.

Finishing

Sew shoulder seams. With double pointed needles, cast on 4 sts. Starting at the center of back neck work applied I-cord around the neck. Bind off all 4 sts.
Sew the beginning and end of the I-cord together.
Sew sleeves in place.
Sew side seams and sleeve seams.
Block top to size.