Icicle Elegance Cocoon 

Skill Level: Easy

Size: before blocking: Bodice measures 30″ wide from elbow to elbow, each cuff is 8″, the bodice is 23″, collar is 4″ deep,

after piece is steam blocked:  42″ wide from elbow to elbow, each cuff is 9″, the bodice is 26″, collar remains approximately the same depth

Gauge: 27 sts and 32 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in on US size 6 (4.00 mm) knit flat, before blocking in pattern stitch

Materials

Yarn: Blue Heron Rayon Metallic (88% Rayon, 12% Metallic thread; 550 yards [503 meters]/227 grams):  Clear Sky (2 hanks)

Needle: US size 6 (4.00 mm) 30″ (76 cm) circular for bodice, US size 6 (4.00 mm) 30″ (73 cm) circular for ribbing of collar, US size 6(4.00 mm) 9″ (23 cm) circular or DPNs for sleeves, US size 5 (3.5 mm) for last four rounds of sleeve cuff 9″ (23 cm) circular or DPNs

Notions: Tapestry needle, 6 locking stitch markers, blocking wires and blocking board with pins (optional), US H/5mm crochet hook, 2 small dress maker snaps, cable needle (optional)

Pattern Notes

Knit flat from the bottom up this cocoon can stand alone without the ribbed collar for a free flowing version, perfect for those cozy coastal bonfires.

For a more cozy, tailored look, add the collar.

Worked from the bottom up the bodice can be custom sized to suit. To make the bodice (back and sleeves from elbow to elbow) wider, increase the number of stitches.  To make the bodice longer, work more repeats multiples of six. A good rule of thumb is to make the bodice no wider than the total bust dimension.

Prior to first blocking, try the garment on if possible and adjust length thereof if needed.

The bodice is designed to fit from elbow to elbow with the arms at rest aligned with the body.

When picking up for the sleeves it is recommended the knitter double check gauge for a good fit.  Rayon Metallic does not have the memory of a wool or other animal fiber. For a tailored fit, use elastic thread pulled along with the yarn or a smaller size needle, if desired.

For a more generous fit, purchase a third skein of Blue Heron Rayon Metallic, this pattern is designed to maximize yarn utilization and will suit up to a 40″ bust as written.

Special Stitches

C2f: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work, k next 2 sts, k 2 sts from cable needle

Pattern

Cast on 204 sts.

Row 1, 3 (RS): *K4, p1, rep from * to four stitches from end of row, k4.

Row 2, 4, 6 (WS): *P4, k1, rep from * to four stitches from end of row, p4.

Row 5 (RS): *C2f, p1, rep from * to four stitches from end of row, C2f.

Repeat rows 1-6 until bodice is 22″ or 1″ shorter than desired length, repeat rows 1 – 4 one additional time.

Bind off all sts in pattern.

Steam block to finished dimension.

Place a locking stitch marker in each corner and along the mid-point of selvedge edges.

Allow to air dry.

Seam rectangle as follows

With WS facing, fold corners in such that the two markers placed at the top and bottom corners of the right selvedge edge touch each other, lock them to each other. Using piece of yarn approximately 20″ in length and tapestry needle, mattress stitch from the corner in towards the mid-point marker leaving approximately 4.5″ of the selvedge edge unworked, this opening will be used to pick up the sleeve stitches.   Repeat for second selvedge edge. The mid-point markers will remain in place for reference when adding on the sleeves.

The bodice will at this point resemble a hexagon with irregular length sides.

Sleeve

Using working yarn and larger 9″ circular needle, pick up 58 sts along the un-seamed section of the first selvedge edge, by the time you pick up half the stitches, you should be at the mid-point marker. For a more generous arm, pick up additional stitches in multiples of six. Join to work in the round, place end of round marker.

Round 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 (RS): *K4, p1, rep from * to four stitches from end of row, k4.

Round 5 (RS): *C2f, p1, rep from * to four stitches from end of row, C2f.

Repeat rounds 1-6 until sleeve cuff is 1″ shorter than desired final length, repeat rounds 1 – 4 one additional time using smaller needle.

Bind off all sts in pattern.

Remove mid-point marker.

Repeat along second selvedge edge.

Collar

Using the working yarn and the longer large circular needle, pick up stitches along the cast on and bind off rows of the Bodice starting at the position where the first two corner markers are locked together.  Continue picking up stitches along the cast on edge, the position where the two corner markers on the are locked together and back to the first stitch picked up. Remove corner markers before working the first round. If the piece is longer than the size shown, pick up additional stitches in multiples of three.  (375 sts)

Join in the round, place end of round marker, *k2, p1, rep from * to end of round. Continue in pattern until collar is 2″ or desired length.

Bind off in pattern.

Optional shoulder holder:

Rayon Metallic has a remarkably soft hand. While I adore it, it can slip off my shoulders so rather than fight it, I crocheted short holders to secure it to a favorite tank.

Using a US H 5.5mm crochet hook, ch 8 leaving a 6″ tail on one end, fasten off and cut yarn leaving 10″ tail.

Using a sewing needle, attach one half of the snap to the first tail, repeat for second half of snap and other tail.

Using the longer tail, attach the piece to the WS of the cocoon near where it sits atop the shoulder so it can be snapped around a strap on your top. Repeat for second shoulder holder.

Finishing

Remove all markers. Using steam or wet blocking if preferred, block the finished cocoon.  To maximize the drape of the yarn, steam on a dress maker’s mannequin to relax the fibers and allow the cables to open up.

Allow to air dry.

Weave in any ends which may still be visible.