Center Twist is an A-line tunic with an unusual focal point: a cable-like twist down the center of the bodice. With set-in sleeves and a figure-flattering silhouette, this project will appeal to knitters of all skill levels.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished bust size 31 (35, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55)” to fit bust 30 (34, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)”; approximately 1” positive ease recommended. Shown in size 34”
Gauge: 24 sts and 38 rows = 4″ (10 cm)
Materials
Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too Pediwick (66% bamboo, 34% nylon; 392 yards [360 meters]/100 grams): #983 Whale [4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) balls]
Needles: US size 5 (3.75 mm), 2 US size 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles
Notions: Needle and thread, tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
The Back, Front and Sleeves have been designed with a single selvedge stitch on each side. Knit the first and last stitches of every row unless otherwise directed.
To determine length of unattached portions of I-cord trim, try on piece after seaming shoulders and attaching sleeves. Measure distance from center point of V-neck down to side seam (8″ below armhole), then add about 1/2″ (1 cm) to this measurement.
Pattern
Back
Rolled Hem Border
With size 5 (3.75 mm) needle or size required for gauge, cast on 110 (122, 134, 146, 158, 170, 182) sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): K1, purl to last st, k1.
Work 3 more rows in est patt.
Next row (WS): Knit.
Shape Body
Next row (RS): Knit. Cont evenly in Stockinette St for 19 more rows or until piece measures approx 2″ [5 cm] from cast on edge.
Next row (RS): K1 (selv) ssk, knit across to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (selv). Cont in est patt working this dec row every following 18th row 3 more times, then every following 20th row 3 more times until 96 (108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168) sts rem.
Work evenly for 30 rows or 3″ [7.5 cm].
Shape Armholes
At 173rd row or when piece measures approx 18″ [46 cm] from cast on edge, bind off initial 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows. Bind off 5 sts of beg of next – (-, -, -, 2, 2, 2) rows. Then bind of 4 sts at beg of next – (-, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) rows. Then bind of 3 sts at beg of next – (2, 2, 2, 2, 2,4) rows. Then bind of 2 sts at beg of next 4 (4, 2, 4, 2, 4, 4) rows. Finally, at the beg of next 2 rows dec just after selv st by working k2tog on RS or p2tog on WS until 78 (82, 90, 96, 102, 108, 114) sts remain. Work evenly in est patt for 48 (54, 58, 62, 68, 72, 76) more rows or until piece measures 5 (5 5/8, 6, 6 1/2, 7 1/8, 7 5/8, 8) in 13 [14, 15, 16.5, 18, 19, 20 cm] from initial armhole bind off.
Shape Back Neck
Note: Back neck and shoulder shaping occur at the same time. Read directions carefully.
On next row (RS), work first 30 (31, 34, 36, 39, 41, 43) sts. Join new ball and bind off center 19 (20. 22, 24, 25, 26, 28) sts, then work to end. Working each side separately and cont in patt, bind off 3 sts at neck edge – (-, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3) time(s). Then bind off 2 sts at neck edge 4 (5, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2) times.
Sizes 30 and 54 Only: On the next RS row, dec 1 st at each neck edge by working k2tog on right hand side and ssk on left hand side.
All Sizes: Cont to shoulder.
Shape Shoulder Slope
At 63rd (69th, 73rd, 77th, 83rd, 87th, 93rd) row from initial armhole bind off or when piece measures 5 3/4 ( 6 1/4, 6 3/4, 7 1/4, 7 3/4, 8 1/4, 8 3/4)” 15 [16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 cm)] begin shaping shoulder as follows: Bind off 8 sts at shoulder edge – (-, -, -, -, -, 1) time, then bind off 7 sts – (-, 1, 1, 2, 4, 3) times, then bind off 6 sts – (1, 1, 2, 2, -, -) times, then bind off 5 sts 4 (3, 2, 1, -, -, -) times until all shoulder sts have been bound off.
Front
Note: Armhole and Neck shaping occur at the same time. Read directions carefully.
Cast on and shape body same as for back. At 173rd row or when piece measures approx 18″ [46 cm] from cast on edge, bind off initial 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts, knit 44 (49, 55, 60, 66, 71, 77) sts, join new ball and cont across. Next row (WS): Bind off initial 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts then purl across. Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn, cont rem armhole bind offs as for Back. At the same time: shape neck by working decrease row as follows: On RS row, knit to 2 sts before neck edge, ssk, on the right-hand side. On left-hand side, k2tog, then knit across. Work this dec row every foll 2nd row 10 (10, 11, 13, 13, 12, 14 times then every foll 4th row 9 (10, 11, 11, 12, 14, 14) times until 20 (21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29) sts rem on each side. Work evenly in est patt for 6 (8, 6, 6, 8, 6, 8) more rows, then shape shoulder slope same as for Back.
Sleeves (Make 2)
Cast-on 60 (62, 66, 68, 72, 74, 78) sts and work rolled hem same as Back, then knit one more row.
Begin Shaping
Note: Increase row worked as follows: Knit 1 (selv) m1, work across in patt to last st, m1, k1.
Work an inc row every foll 12th row 9 (-, -, -, -, -, -) times, then every foll 10th row 1 (11, 7, -, -, -, -) time(s), then every foll 8th row -( 1, 6, 8, 5 -, -) times, then every foll 6th row – (-, -, 9, 13, 17, 15) times then every foll 4th row – (-, -, -, -, 4, 7) times. There are now 80 (86, 92, 102, 108, 116, 122) sts. Work evenly in est patt for 20 more rows or 2″ [5 cm].
Shape Cap
Bind off 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows matching initial armhole bind offs. Dec 1 st just inside selv st on each side every foll 2nd row 13 (16, 18, 17, 19, 19, 21) times then every foll row 8 (6, 6, 10, 12, 12) times, then bind off 3 sts at beg of next row 4 times. Finally, bind off rem 18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) sts.
Finishing
Block piece to finished measurements. With RS tog, seam shoulders and attach sleeves.
I-cord Trim
Using size – 3 (3.25 mm) dpns and Long Tail Cast On method, cast on 5 sts. Work 4 rows in Stockinette St. On the next row, beg working I-cord until piece measures desired length. (See note on determining I-cord length).
Beg working applied I-cord directly onto garment as follows: With opposite end of the same dpn holding i-cord sts and beg at center of v-neck, pick up as many stitches from the neck edge as the needle can comfortably hold. Using a 2nd dpn *k4 from beginning of I-cord, sl one st knitwise, sl next st purlwise, re-insert left needle into both slipped sts and k2tog-tbl. Sl all 5 sts back to left needle, rep from * picking up more sts from the garment as needed. To turn the corner at each shoulder seam, work one row of I-cord without attaching to garment. Once applied I-cord has been worked around entire neck, cont unattached matching length on first side. Work 4 rows flat in Stockinette St, then bind off.
Twist the I-cord 3 to 4 times at the center of v-neck. Using needle and thread, baste each to end Front side edge approx 8″ [20 cm] down from armhole to hold in place for seaming.
Seam sides securely catching flat portion of I-cord in seam. Block once more if necessary. Weave in ends.