Atwood by Carol Meldrum
Inspired by vintage styles, this pretty top has lacy, layered sleeves and a flattering waist
Vintage-inspired blouse has a deep ribbed waistband
FRONT AND BACK
(both the same) Using 3.75mm needles, cast on 102 ( 118: 126: 134) sts. Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to end. Row 2: P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end. Rep last 2 rows until rib meas 12 ( 12: 14: 16) cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
Change to 4mm needles. Row 1 (RS): Knit. Row 2: Purl. Row 3 (eyelet row): K1, *K2, K2tog, yo, K4; rep from * to last 5 sts, K2tog, yo, K3. Row 4: As Row 2.
Continue straight working in st st until piece meas 46 ( 46: 48: 50) cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE FIRST SHOULDER Cast off 8 ( 10: 12: 12) sts at the beg of next 2 rows. 86 ( 98: 102: 110) sts. Next row (RS): K17 ( 19: 19: 21) sts, then turn, leaving rem 69 ( 79: 83: 89) sts on needle or slip onto st holder. Next row: Purl to end.
Next row: Cast off 8 ( 10: 10: 12) sts, knit to 3 sts before end, K2tog tbl, K1. Cast off rem 8 sts.
SHAPE NECK AND SECOND SHOULDER With RS facing, rejoin yarn to rem sts, cast off centre 52 ( 60: 64: 68) sts, knit to end. 17 ( 19: 19: 21) sts. Next row (WS): Cast off 8 ( 10: 10: 12) sts, knit to end. 9 sts. Next row: K1, K2tog, knit to end. Cast off rem 8 sts.
SLEEVES
FIRST LAYER (make 2) Using 3.75mm circular needles, cast on 288 sts. Do not join. Row 1 (WS): Purl to end. Row 2: K3, *slip last st back onto left needle, slip the next 8 sts over this st and off left needle, yfwd , knit slipped st again, K3; rep from * ending last rep with K2. 106 sts. Row 3: P2,*KFB, P3; rep from *to end. 132 sts. **
Change to 4mm straight needles. Beg with a knit row, work 2 rows of st st. ***
SHORT ROW SHAPING Row 1: Knit to last 9 sts, w&t. Row 2: Purl to last 9 sts, w&t. Row 3: Knit to last 19 sts, w&t. Row 4: Purl to last 19 sts, w&t. Row 5: Knit to last 29 sts, w&t. Row 6: Purl to last 29 sts, w&t. Next row (RS): Knit to end, picking up wraps and knitting together with the wrapped sts as you go.
Next row: Purl to end, picking up wraps and purling together with the wrapped sts as you go. Beg with a knit row; work 2 rows of st st.
Slip sts onto spare 4mm needle with RS facing for next row, and place to one side.
SECOND LAYER (make 2) Work as given for first layer to ***.
SHORT ROW SHAPING Row 1: Knit to last 29 sts, w&t. Row 2: Purl to last 29 sts, w&t. Row 3: Knit to last 39 sts, w&t. Row 4: Purl to last 39 sts, w&t. Next row (RS): Knit to end, picking up the wraps and knitting together with the wrapped sts as you go. Next row: Purl to end, picking up the wraps and purling together with the wrapped sts as you go.
Join first and second layers together as follows: With RS facing, holding the second layer in front of the first layer - knit together by inserting right-hand needle into the first st of both needles, then complete knit st as normal. Next row (WS): Purl to end.
Slip sts onto spare 4mm needle with RS facing for next row, and place to one side.
THIRD LAYER (make 2) Work as given for first layer to **.
SHORT ROW SHAPING Row 1 (RS): Knit to last 39 sts, w&t.
Row 2: Purl to last 39 sts, w&t. Row 3: Knit to last 49 sts, w&t. Row 4: Purl to last 49 sts, w&t.
Next row (RS): Knit to end, picking up the wraps and knitting tog with the wrapped sts as you go. Next row: Purl to end, picking up the wraps and purling together with the wrapped sts as you go.
Join first and second layers to third layer as before. Next row (WS): Purl to end.
SHAPE TOP OF SLEEVE Row 1 (RS): Knit to last 44 sts, w&t. Row 2: Purl to last 44 sts, w&t. Row 3: Knit to last 49 sts, w&t. Row 4: Purl to last 49 sts, w&t. Row 5: Knit to last 54 sts, w&t. Row 6: Purl to last 54 sts, w&t. Row 7: Knit to last 59 sts, w&t. Row 8: Purl to last 59 sts, w&t. Next row: Knit to end, picking up the wrapped strand and knitting tog with st. Next row: Purl to end, picking up the wrapped st and purling together with st. Cast off.
MAKING UP
Block gently to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band.
Join right-hand shoulder seams together using mattress stitch.
NECKBAND Using 3.75mm circular needles, pick up and knit 1 st at the top of left front neck, pick up and knit centre 52 ( 60: 64: 68) sts, pick up and knit 1 st at right front neck and 1 st at right back neck, pick up and knit centre 52 ( 60: 64: 68) sts, pick up and knit 1 st at left back neck. Do not join. 108 ( 124: 132: 140) sts.
Turn and cast off all sts knitwise.
Join left-hand shoulder and neckband using mattress st.
Sew sleeves to front and back panels. Place marker at both sides of front and back panels to mark armhole depth, 30cm down from outer edge of shoulder shaping. Pin centre of sleeve to shoulder join, then pin bottom layer of sleeve to armhole marker. Sew sleeve into place using mattress st.
Sew side seams together, then sew matching sleeve layers together.
MAKE CORD Using 3.75mm circular needles, cast on 350 sts, and then cast off all sts.
Weave cord in and out of eyelets around waist.