This airy summer shell evokes the robes worn by Greek goddesses. The only waist shaping comes from a band of ribbing, and the asymmetrical bottom hem is shaped with short rows. The wide boat neck is allowed to curl naturally.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size = 30 ½ (32 ½, 34 ½, 36 ½, 40 ½, 42 ½, 44 ½, 46 ½, 48 ½, 50 ½, 52 ½, 54 ½, 56 ½, 58 ½)” to fit bust 30 (32, 34, 26, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56)”; ½” – 2 1/2″ positive ease recommended; Shown in size 36”
Gauge: 25 sts and 34 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st on larger needles, after blocking
Materials
Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single (75% superwash merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk; 430 yards [393 meters]/100 grams): Blush (2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) 24” or 32″ circular needles, US size 5 (3.75 mm) 24″ or 32″ circular needles
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom hem to the armholes, then front and back are worked separately and shoulders are seamed together. The bottom hem is shaped with short rows.
Pattern
Using larger circular needle, CO 192 (204, 216, 228, 254, 266, 278, 292, 304, 316, 328, 342, 354, 366) sts. Being careful not to twist sts, place beginning-of-rnd marker and join to work in the rnd.
Rnd 1: K96 (102, 108, 114, 127, 133, 139, 146, 152, 158, 164, 171, 177, 183), pm, knit to end.
Rnd 2: Purl.
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: Purl.
Rnd 5: Knit to m, slm, k3 (3, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 2, 4, 3, 1, 3), w&t.
Row 6: Purl to m, slm, p3 (3, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 2, 4, 3, 1, 3), w&t.
Row 7: Knit to wrapped st, knit wrap together with wrapped st, k3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4), w&t.
Row 8: Purl to wrapped st, purl wrap together with wrapped st, p3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4), w&t.
Repeat Rows 7 and 8 until 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) sts remain between last wrapped st and beginning-of-rnd marker.
After last turn, RS will be facing. Continue to work in Stockinette stitch in the rnd (knit every rnd) until work measures 6″ [15 cm] from CO edge at beginning-of rnd marker.
Waist
Switch to smaller circular needle.
Sizes 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, and 50
Establish Ribbing: (K2, p2) to end.
Sizes 38, 40, 42, 52, 54, and 56
Establish Ribbing: (K2, p2) to last 2 sts, k2.
All Sizes
Continue to repeat Establish Ribbing rnd until ribbing measures 2″ [5 cm].
Switch to larger circular needle.
Continue in Stockinette stitch in the rnd until work measures 5 ¾” [14.5 cm] from top of ribbing.
Divide Back and Front
Next rnd: Knit to 2 (3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 14, 14, 15, 16) sts before m, BO 4 (6, 8, 10, 16, 18, 18, 22, 22, 26, 28, 28, 30, 32) sts, removing m as you come to it.
You will now work back and forth in rows.
Back
Row 1 (WS): P2, p2tog, purl to last 4 sts, ssp, p2.
Row 2 (RS): K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2, 0 (0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) more times.
Sizes 34 and Larger
Next row (WS): Purl.
Next row (RS): As Row 2.
Repeat these two rows – (-, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 5, 6, 6) more times.
All Sizes
Continue to work even in Stockinette stitch until armholes measure 7.5 (7.75, 8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9, 10.5, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11)”.
BO all sts.
Front
Reattach yarn on WS and work same as Back.
Finishing
Sew shoulder seams 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.75, 1.75, 1.75, 1.75, 2, 2, 2, 2)” in from outside edge. 