Vintage evening top

Make a grand entrance in this gorgeous lace top by Monica Russel. Knitted in an aplaca and silk mix, it’ll make you feel a million dollars!

LACY VINTAGE TOP

LACE PANEL

Rows 1, 3 and 5 *Skpo, K2, yo, K2; rep from * 5 more times, K1. Row 2 and all alt rows Purl.

Rows 7, 9 and 11 K3, *yo, K2, k2tog, K2; rep from * 4 more times, yo, K2, k2tog.

Row 12 Purl.

These 12 rows form the pattern.

BACK

Cast on 104 (112: 120) sts using 3mm needles.

Row 1 (K1, P1) to end.

Row 1 sets rib. Rep Row 1 until rib meas 8.5cm.

Change to 3.75mm needles.

Rows 1, 3 and 5 (RS) K2, P2, work Row 1 of Lace Panel, P3, K16 (24:32), P3, work Row 1 of Lace Panel, P2, K2.

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 P41, K3, P16 (24: 32), K3, purl to end. Rows 7, 9 and 11 K2, P2, K3, work Row 2 of Lace Panel, P3, K16 (24: 32), P3, K3, work Row 2 of Lace Panel, P2, K2.

Row 12 P41, K3, P16 (24: 32), K3, purl to end.

INCREASING FOR PANEL

Note The increases will not affect the patterned section. They will form part of the armhole band and the shaping of the centre panel.

Next row (RS inc row) K1, kfb, K1, P2, work next row of Lace Panel, P3, K1, kfb, K12 (20: 28), kfb, K1, P3, work next row of Lace Panel,

P2, K1, kfb, K1.

Last row sets shaping, one st in from each edge and one stitch in from each side of the centre panel.

Next row (WS) P42, K3, P18 (26: 34), K3, purl to end. Next row K3, P2, work Row 1 of Lace Panel, P3, K18 (26: 34), P3, work Row 1 of Lace Panel, P2, K3.

Rep last 2 rows once more.

Continue in pattern, working increases as set on next row and every following 8th row until you have 128 (136: 144) sts, bringing new sts into st st.

Continue increasing in centre panel only on every 8th row, 3 more times. [134 (142: 150) sts with 36 (44: 52) sts in the panel] Continue in pattern as set until work measures approx 38cm ending after a Row 12.

SHAPE ARMHOLES

Cast off 8 sts at beg of next 2 rows. [118 (126: 134) sts]** Continue in pattern without shaping until work measures approx 46cm from beginning of work.

DIVIDE FOR BACK OPENING

Next row Work pattern for 57 (61: 65) sts, (P1, K1) twice, turn leaving rem 57 (61: 65) sts on a stitch holder.

Next row (P1, K1) twice, pattern to end.

Keeping working pattern as set, working the 4 centre back sts in 1x1 rib AND AT THE SAME TIME after completing 8 rows of pattern make 1st buttonhole as follows: Work set pattern to last 4 sts, P1, yo, k2tog, K1. Make a second buttonhole after a further 10 rows are complete.

Continue in pattern without shaping until back measures approx 57 (58: 61)cm from start, ending with a Row 12 of pattern.

SHAPE SHOULDER

Cast off 19 (21: 23) sts at beg next row and following alt row. Place rem 23 sts on a stitch holder.

With RS facing, rejoin yarn to rem sts.

Cast on 4 sts, (K1, P1) twice, patt to end.

Complete second side to match the first side reversing shaping and omitting the buttonholes.

FRONT

Work as for Back to **.

Continue in pattern without shaping until work measures approx 51 (51: 53)cm from beginning of work, ending with a WS row.

SHAPE LEFT NECK

Pattern 52 (56: 60) sts and place rem sts on a stitch holder. Continuing in pattern, dec 1 stitch at neck edge only on every row for the next 14 rows. [38 (42: 46) sts]

Work until Front measures the same as the Back before shaping the shoulder. Shape shoulders as for Back.

Leaving centre 14 sts on a holder rejoin yarn and pattern to end.

SHAPE RIGHT NECK

Work as for Left Front reversing shaping.

NECKBAND

Join shoulder seams. Using 2.75mm needle and RS facing rib first 4 sts, K23 from left Back holder. Pick up and knit 17 (19: 21) sts down left Front neck edge, K14 from Front neck holder, pick up and knit 17

(19: 21) sts up right Front edge, K23 sts from right Back neck holder, rib last 4 sts. [102 (106: 110) sts] Next row Rib 4, purl decreasing 0 (1: 0) evenly across the middle 94 (98: 102) sts and increasing 3 (0: 1). [105 (105: 111) sts]

Next row Rib 4 * skpo, K2, yo, K2, rep from * to last 5 sts, K1, rib 4. Next row Rib 4, purl to last 4 sts, rib 4. Repeat the previous 2 rows 2 more times.

Work 3 rows of 1x1 rib, making your final buttonhole on last row of rib. Cast off.

SLEEVE BANDS

With 2.75mm needles and right sides facing pick up 100 (104: 108) sts around each armhole.

Work 6 rows in a 1x1 rib.

Cast off loosely in rib.

MAKING UP

Block and press work. Sew side edges of sleeve bands together, then sew side seams using mattress stitch. Sew the facing of the back at the bottom where you have completed the button band. Sew on your buttons to correspond with the buttonholes.