Vest of both
One pretty top, two ways to make it. Slip into Pat Strong’s cool cotton in ice cream hues.
Pat Strong’s design is worked sideways, giving it lots of drape and stretch, and is finished with a picot edging. Decide if you want to go long or short, then choose between pale pink or pistachio green cotton yarn. Struggling to decide? The two versions look beautiful layered together. That’s the long and short of it.
NOTES
This Top is designed to be close fitting, so choose the actual bust size (size of finished garment) that is nearest your bust measurement. The Top is worked from side to side, and finished with a picot edge. The pattern is given in two different lengths. All instructions apply to both versions unless stated, although the stitch counts in square brackets are given for the Long version only. The stitch counts for the Short version will always be 33 sts fewer than the Long version.
FRONT AND BACK !MAKE 2"
With a 4mm hook, ch41 ( 41: 42: 44) for the Short version or 74 ( 74: 75: 77) for the Long version.
Row 1 (RS: RS: WS: WS) Dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn. [40 ( 40: 41: 43) sts for Short, 73 ( 73: 74: 76) sts for Long]
Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in front loop of each st to end, turn. Row 2 sets pattern. Repeat (Row 2)1 ( 1: 2: 2) more times.
INCREASES AT ARMHOLE EDGE
Next row (RS inc) Ch1, dcfl in each st to last st, 2dcfl in last st, turn.
Next row (WS inc) Ch1, 2dcfl in first st, dcfl in each st to last st, turn. Next row RS inc row as above. Next row As Row 2. Repeat the last 2 rows once more, followed by another RS inc row, do not turn. [5 sts increased: 78 ( 78: 79: 81) sts]
SHOULDER
Ch33 ( 35: 37: 38), turn. Next row (WS) Dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to next dc, patt to end, turn. [110 ( 112: 115: 118 sts)] Work in patt for a further 16 ( 20: 22: 26) rows or until work measures 13.5 ( 15.5: 17: 19) cm, ending with a WS row.
NECKLINE
Next row (RS) Ch1, work in patt on first 53 ( 55: 55: 58) sts for Short version and for 86 ( 88: 88: 91) sts for Long version, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. Next row (WS dec) Ch1, dcfl2tog, patt to
end, turn. Next row As Row 2. Next row WS dec row as above.
Next row (RS dec) Ch1, patt to last 2 sts, dcfl2tog over last 2 sts, turn. Repeat last 2 rows once more. [5 sts decreased: 81 ( 83: 83: 86) sts] Work a further 16 ( 22: 22: 26) rows in patt on these stitches, or until work measures 25 ( 30: 31.5: 35.5cm) ending on a RS row. Work a WS inc row followed by a RS inc row. Repeat the last 2 rows once more. Work a plain row as Row 2, followed by a RS inc row, do not turn. [5 sts increased: 86 ( 88: 88: 91) sts]
SHOULDER
Ch25 ( 25: 28: 28), turn. Next row (WS) Dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to next dc, patt to end, turn. [110 ( 112: 115: 118) sts] Work in patt for the same number of rows as the first Shoulder.
ARMHOLE EDGE
Next row (RS) Ch1, work in patt on first 45 ( 45: 46: 48) sts for Short version and for 78 ( 78: 79: 81) sts for Long version, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. Work a plain row as Row 2, followed by a RS dec row. Repeat the last 2 rows once more. Work a WS dec row, followed by a RS dec row, then a WS dec row. [5 sts decreased: 73 ( 73: 74: 76) sts] Work in patt on these stitches for a final 3 ( 3:4: 4) rows. Fasten off.
TO MAKE UP
Block to measurements, sew shoulder and side seams.
EDGING
With a 3.5mm hook, rejoin yarn to left Shoulder at Neckline edge.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, dc evenly around Neckline Edge, working a multiple of 3 sts in total, ss to first dc.
Round 2 *Ch4, ss into third ch from hook, ch1, skip 2 dc, ss into next st; rep from * around. Fasten off. Join yarn at side seam of Armhole Edge and repeat Rounds 1 and 2 on both Armholes. Weave in all ends.