Lillee is a simply constructed pullover sweater with a boatneck neckline. It is knit in the round from the bottom up until divided at the armholes. The front and back are then worked flat separately, and the shoulders are grafted together. The sleeves are worked in the round from the bottom up to preserve the delicate scalloped edging created by slipped stitches in the design, and then each sleeve is grafted or seamed to the arm hole. With an easy, all-over lace pattern and simple construction, this sweater will ease you into knitting for spring.
Time: 1 Month Project
Skill level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 38 (42, 46, 50, 54)(58, 62, 66, 70)” / 96.5 (107, 117, 127, 137)(147, 157.5, 167.5, 178) cm.
8-10” [20.5-25.5 cm] positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 42”
Gauge: 28 sts and 30 rnds = 4” [10 cm] in body lace pattern
Yarn: Eden Cottage Yarns Brimham 4 ply (85% superwash superfine Merino, 15% nylon; 436 yards [400 meters]/100 grams): Stone (1245 (1355, 1464, 1611, 1721)(1867, 1977, 2124, 2233) yards).
Needles: US size 4 (3.5 mm) 32” and 12” circular needle or size needed to match gauge; optional second 12” circular needle
Notions: Marker, waste yarn, tapestry needle
Pattern
Body
With longer circular needle and your preferred cast-on method, CO 272 (296, 320, 352, 376)(408, 432, 464, 488) sts. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist, and place a marker to mark the beg of the rnd.
Begin working lace pattern as follows:
Rnd 1: *P1, sl1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, sl1; rep from * around.
Rnd 2: *P1, k7; rep from * around.
Rep last 2 rnds 65 more times.
Work additional reps, ending with Rnd 2, if you would like a longer garment, but be aware that this will use additional yarn.
Separate front and back: Work Rnd 1 across first 136 (148, 160, 176, 188)(204, 216, 232, 244) sts. Place rem sts on hold for front.
Back:
Sizes 38 (46, 50, 62, 66)” Only:
Row 1 (WS): *P7, k1; rep from * across.
Row 2 (RS): *P1, sl1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, sl1; rep from * across, working last st as k1.
Sizes 42 (54, 58, 70)” Only:
Row 1 (WS): P3, k1, *p7, k1; rep from * across.
Row 2 (RS): *P1, sl1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, sl1; rep from * to last 4 sts, p1, sl1, yo, ssk.
All Sizes:
Rep last 2 rows 24 (26, 28, 29, 31)(33, 35, 37, 39) more times, then work Row 1 once more.
Back neck:
Next row (RS): Work first 34 (40, 42, 46, 51)(57, 63, 69, 75) sts in pattern and place on hold, BO next 68 (68, 76, 84, 86)(90, 90, 94, 94) sts for back neck, work rem 34 (40, 42, 46, 51)(57, 63, 69, 75) sts in pattern and place on hold. Break yarn, leaving a long tail for joining shoulders (about 4 times the width of the shoulder sts).
Front:
Return held front sts to circular needle. Join yarn to work a RS row.
Sizes 38 (46, 50, 62, 66)” Only:
Row 1 (RS): *P1, sl1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, sl1; rep from * across, working last st as k1.
Row 2 (WS): *P7, k1; rep from * across.
Sizes 42 (54, 58, 70)” Only:
Row 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, yo, sl1, *p1, sl1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, sl1; rep from * across, working last st as k1.
Row 2 (WS): *P7, k1; rep from * to last 4 sts, p3, k1.
All Sizes:
Rep last 2 rows 25 (27, 29, 30, 32)(34, 36, 38, 40) more times.
Front neck:
Next row (RS): Work as for Back Neck.
Sleeve (make 2)
With shorter circular needle, CO 96 (96, 104, 112, 120)(128, 136, 144, 152) sts. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist, and place a marker to mark the beg of the rnd.
Rnd 1: *P1, sl1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, sl1; rep from * around.
Rnd 2: *P1, k7; rep from * around.
Rep last 2 rnds 57 more times, then work Rnd 1 once more.
BO all sts to seam sleeve to armhole or, using an additional short circular needle, pick up and knit a matching 96 (96, 104, 112, 120)(128, 136, 144, 152) sts around the armhole opening and graft sleeve with Kitchener stitch to armhole opening. Sample is shown with sleeve grafted to armhole.
Finishing
Join shoulders:
Place held sts for front and back of one shoulder onto a short circular needle each. With RS of shoulders held tog and the long tail at the right edge of the armhole, use the 3-needle bind-off to bind off all shoulder sts. Rep for the second shoulder.
Neck trim:
With RS facing, pick up and knit 132 (132, 148, 164, 170)(176, 176, 184, 184) sts around the neck opening and join for working in the rnd. Place a marker for the beg of the rnd.
Purl 1 rnd.
BO loosely all sts kwise.
Weave in ends. Block sweater to open up lace and relax fibers.