Ramona is the update to the traditional shawl that you didn’t know you needed! Extended front edges drape gracefully to form a scarf-like waterfall collar on this easy-to-wear garment that is appropriate for any occasion. The body is worked in an overall ric-rac openwork pattern, while seed stitch is used for the collar and as an edging at the armholes.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: One size fit most, Finished width 50”
Gauge: 18 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in blocked Ric-Rac patt
Materials
Yarn: Plymouth Equinox Hand Dye (65% Extra-fine Merino, 20% Linen, 15% Mulberry silk; 137 yards [125 meters]/50 grams): #104 Fuchsia (8 skeins)
Needles: US size 8 (5 mm) 32” circular, US size 7 (4.5 mm) 16” circular
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, stitch holders
Special Stitches
Seed Stitch (worked over an odd number of sts)
Row 1: Sl 1, *p1, k1; rep from * across row.
Rep Row 1 for patt.
Ric Rac Pattern (multiple of 5 sts +2)
Row 1 (RS): K1, *k2, yo, k3tog, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, *yo, k3tog, yo, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.
No Stair-steps Bind Off for Collar
Bind off first set of sts at beg of desired row, work to end.
*Work to last st, sl last st, turn.
Sl 2 purlwise, BO 1 st, [knit next st and bind it off] # of times required, work to end; rep from * to * until required sts are bound off.
Pattern Notes
This is a no sewing, no finishing required pattern.
Circular needles are used to accommodate large number of sts. Do not join, work in rows.
Lower back edge is shaped by working short rows extending from the center outwards on each row. Make sure to keep pattern stitch count correct.
Pattern
Shawl-Vest
Begin at lower edge with larger needles, CO 209 sts.
Work even in Seed St for 7 rows.
Set-up Row (RS): Seed St over first 6 sts, pm, work Ric Rac Pattern to last 6 sts, Seed St to end of row.
Mark center 69 sts
Begin Short-row Shaping
Row 1 (WS): Purl to second marker, turn.
Row 2: Work in Ric Rac Pattern to next marker, turn.
Row 3: Purl to 5 sts beyond marker, mark last st, turn.
Row 4: Work in established patt to 5 sts beyond last marker, mark last st, turn.
Rep Rows 3-4 until all center 69 marked patt sts have been worked, then rep Rows 3-4 once more, working last border sts in Seed St.
Keeping front borders in Seed St and remaining sts in Ric Rac Pattern, work even until piece meas 16” above center CO sts, ending with a RS row.
Begin Armhole Shaping
Next Row (WS): Seed St over 6 sts, purl 61 sts, place 67 sts just worked on holder for Left Front, BO 9 sts for left underarm, purl 57 sts and place on second holder for Back, BO next 9 sts for right underarm, purl 61 sts, Seed St over last 6 sts.
Right Front
Work even in established patt on 67 sts of Right Front until it meas 8” above BO underarm sts, ending with a RS row. Place sts on holder.
Left Front
Slip sts from first holder to larger needle. With WS facing, join yarn at front edge. Work even in established patt for 8”, ending with a RS row. Place sts on holder.
Back
Slip sts from second holder to larger needles. With WS facing, join yarn at left underarm. Work even in established patt for 8”, ending with a RS row. Cut yarn.
Join for Upper Back
Slip sts from all holders to larger needles in proper order.
With WS facing, join yarn at left front edge.
Next Row (WS): Seed St over 6 sts, purl Left Front sts, CO 9 sts, purl Back sts, CO 9 sts, purl to last 6 sts, Seed St over rem 6 sts. (209 sts)
Work even in established patt until piece meas 2” above CO armhole sts, ending with a RS row.
Begin Collar
Mark center 67 sts.
Next Row (WS): Sl 1, Seed St over 5 sts, purl to first marker, remove marker, BO marked sts, remove second marker, work established patt to end of row.
Row 2: Work in Seed st to BO area, pick up and knit 55 sts in BO area (this works out to approx. 5 picked-up sts for every 6 bound-off sts), work in Seed St to end of row. (197 sts)
Working entirely in Seed st, BO 5 sts at beg of next 28 rows, using No Stair-steps Bind Off for Collar method.
BO rem 57 sts.
Armhole Edging
With RS facing and using smaller needles, join yarn at center of underarm.
Pick up and knit 3 sts for every 4 rows around entire armhole. Adjust sts, if necessary, to have an even number. Join for working in the rnd. Place marker between first and last st.
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * around.
Rnd 2: *P1, k1; rep from * around.
Rnd 3: Rep Rnd 1.
BO loosely.
Finishing
Block lightly.
Weave in all ends.