Kairi is a semi-cropped and loose sleeveless tank that’s perfect for summer and can be converted to a vest for late spring or end-of summer colder days. Its oversized shape allows it to easily fit any body type without too much effort in sizing. Mostly knitted in basic stockinette, this piece incorporates eyelet sections in the shoulders and hip to provide interest during your knitting.
Time: 40-60 Hours Pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Size: Finished Bust Size 44 (48, 50, 54, 58)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”
10-12” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 32.
Gauge: 33 sts and 33 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn: Isager Bomulin (65% cotton, 35% cellulose-linen/flax; 227 yards [208 meters]/50 grams): 01 Coral (3 (4, 4, 5, 5) balls)
Needles: US size 4 (3.5 mm). Circular needles (60”) recommended.
Notions: Stich markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn for provisional cast on, US G/6 (4 mm) crochet hook for provisional cast on, three to five ½ “ buttons.
Special Stitches
DS-st: Double Stitches short row (=German short row) After the turn, slip the first stitch with yarn in front. Then take yarn to the back of work. This makes two loops (Double Stitch) from the pulled, slipped stitch. When you find this DS-st in a subsequent row, knit as if it was one (like a k2tog).
Provisional Cast-On: Using scrap yarn, create a crochet chain with few stitches more than the number of stitches you wish to cast on. Break yarn and knot the end. Turn crochet chain to the wrong side (the side with bumps on it). Using the yarn intended for your knitting project, insert a knitting needle into the first bump of your crochet chain, wrap your yarn, and draw up a stitch. Continue to cast on a stitch into each bump of your crochet chain until you have cast on the appropriate number of stitches. When you need to access your cast on stitches, carefully un-knot the end of your crochet chain and “unzip” the entire cast on.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked flat, top down, starting with the left and right shoulders that are joined to continue in one piece from the underarms.
Shoulders are shaped using short rows and later joined by a crochet provisional cast-on. For the short rows, the German/double stitches method is given; however, any short row method (as the Wrap & Turn) can also be used.
Body is worked in St st with button bands in garter st in front and eyelet stitches.
A lace panel decorates shoulders and hem. Hem line is finished with a Picot-Bind-Off.
Pattern
Left front
Using crochet hook and waste yarn, provisional CO 24 (26, 27, 28, 30) sts.
Strap:
Row 1 (RS): K to end.
Row 2 (WS): P to end.
Row 3: Sl2k wyif, k to last 3 sts, turn.
Row 4: DS-st, p to end.
Row 5: Sl2k wyif, k to last 3 sts before DS-st, turn.
Row 6: DS-st, p to end.
Rows 7-8: Rep Rows 5-6.
Row 9: Sl2k wyif, k to end, treating each DS-st as if it was one (like a k2tog).
Row 10: Sl2p wyib, p to end.
Row 11: Sl2k wyif, k0 (1, 1, 2, 3), *p2, k2tog, yo, p2, k1; rep from * to last 8 (9, 10, 10, 11) sts, p2, k2tog, yo, p2, k2 (3, 4, 4, 5).
Row 12: Sl2p wyib, p0 (1, 2, 2, 3), *k2, p2, k2, p1; rep from * to last 8 (9, 9, 10, 11) sts, k2, p2, k2, p2 (3, 3, 4, 5).
Row 13: Sl2k wyif, k0 (1, 1, 2, 3), *p2, yo, ssk, p2, k1; rep from * to last 8 (9, 10, 10, 11) sts, p2, yo, ssk, p2, k2 (3, 4, 4, 5).
Row 14: Rep Row 12.
Rep Rows 11-14, 6 (6, 7, 8, 8) more times.
Bodice:
Row 1 (RS): Sl2k wyif, kfb to last 2 sts, k2. (44 (48, 50, 52, 56) sts)
Row 2 and all WS rows: Sl2p wyib, p to end.
Row 3: Rep Row 1. (84 (92, 96, 100, 108) sts)
Row 5: Sl2k wyif, [kfb, k3] across to last 2 sts, k2. (104 (114, 119, 124, 134) sts)
Row 7: Sl2k wyif, k to end.
Row 8: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 7-8 until armhole measures approximately 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11)“ from CO edge.
Place sts on holder and do not break the yarn.
Left back
Strap:
Remove the crochet chain from provisional CO and place sts on needle. (24 (26, 27, 28, 30) sts)
Row 1 (RS): K to end.
Row 2 (WS): P to end.
Row 3: Rep Row 1.
Row 4: Sl2p wyib, p to last 3 sts, turn.
Row 5: DS-st, k to end.
Row 6: Sl2p wyib, p to 3 sts before DS-st, turn.
Rows 7-8: Rep Rows 5-6.
Row 9: Rep Row 5.
Row 10: Sl2p wyifb, p to end, treating each DS-st as if it was one (like a p2tog).
Rows 11-14: Work Rows 11-14 from Left front Strap.
Rep Rows 11-14, 6 (6, 7, 8, 8) more times.
Bodice:
Row 1 (RS): Sl2k wyif, kfb to last 2 sts, k2. (44 (48, 50, 52, 56) sts)
Row 2 and all WS rows: Sl2p wyib, p to end.
Row 3: Sl2k wyif, [kfb, k1] across to last 2 sts, k2. (64 (70, 73, 76, 82) sts)
Row 5: Sl2k wyif, k to end.
Row 6: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 5-6 until armhole measures approximately 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11)“ from CO edge.
Break yarn and place sts on holder.
Right front
Using crochet hook and waste yarn, provisional CO 24 (26, 27, 28, 30) sts.
Work as for Left back Strap and Left front Bodice. (104 (114, 119, 124, 134) sts)
Break yarn and place sts on holder.
Right Back
Work as for Left front Strap and Left back Bodice. (64 (70, 73, 76, 82) sts)
Break yarn and place sts on holder.
BODY
Return the right front, right back, left back and left front pieces (in this order) to needles.
Row 1 (RS): With RS facing, rejoin yarn, CO 5 sts (for front band), k to end of right front, CO 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) sts for underarm, k to end of right back, k to end of left back, CO 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) sts for underarm, k to end of left front, CO 5 sts (for front band). (358 (394, 414, 434, 470) sts)
Row 2 (WS): P to end.
Row 3: Sl2k wyif, k across and evenly distribute kfb 5 (4, 5, 6, 5) times. (363 (398, 419, 440, 465) sts)
Row 4: Sl2p wyib, p1, k4, pm, p to last 7 sts, pm, k4, p3.
Row 5: Sl2k wyif, k5, slip marker (sm), k to last 7 sts, sm, k2tog, yo, k5.
Row 6: Sl2p wyib, p1, k4, sm, p to last 7 sts, sm, k4, p3.
Row 7: Sl2k wyif, k5, sm, k to last 7 sts, sm, k7.
Row 8: Rep Row 6.
Rows 9-20: Rep Rows 7-8, 6 times.
Rep Rows 5-20 until body measures approximately 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” from underarm.
Lace hem:
Row 1 (RS): BO 5 sts, Sl2k wyif, remove m, *p2, k2tog, yo, p2, k1; rep from * to last 13 sts, p2, k2tog, yo, p2, k7.
Row 2 (WS): BO 5 sts, Sl2p wyib, *k2, p2, k2, p1; rep from * to last 8 sts, [k2, p2] twice.
Row 3: Sl2k wyif, *p2, yo, ssk, p2, k1; rep from * to last 8 sts, p2, yo, ssk, p2, k2.
Row 4: Sl2p wyib, *k2, p2, k2, p1; rep from * to last 8 sts, [k2, p2] twice.
Row 5: Sl2k wyif, remove m, *p2, k2tog, yo, p2, k1; rep from * to last 13 sts, p2, k2tog, yo, p2, k7.
Row 6: Rep Row 4.
Rows 7-10: Rep Rows 3-6.
Row 11 (RS, picot bind-off): BO 4 sts, *transfer rem st back to left-hand needle, CO 4 sts, BO 8 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, BO 4 sts. Cut yarn and pull through the last st.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Wash and block to desired measurements.
Using sewing needle, sew buttons on band aligned with buttonholes.