Simple roll-neck tunic
With its fashionable grooved pattern, cosy shape and pretty powdery shade, there’s everything to love about Janet Palmer’s tunic
ROLL-NECK TUNIC
Note When taking length measurements, extend the width of the piece first, so you can clearly see the purl st between the knit sts, otherwise the finished length may be slightly shorter than intended when blocked and pressed.
BACK
Cast on 139 (163) sts using the 4mm circular needle (80cm long). Work backwards and forwards in rows, not rounds, throughout. Row 1 (RS) K1, (P1, K1) to end.
Row 2 P to end.
These 2 rows form single broken rib and are repeated 3 times more.
Now work in main patt as follows:
Row 1 (RS) K3, (P1, K5) to last 4 sts, P1, K3.
Row 2 P to end **.
Rep these 2 rows until Back measures 63 (65)cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
SHAPE UPPER ARMS AND SHOULDERS
Keeping patt correct throughout, cast off 6 (7) sts at beg of next 12 rows, then 10 (13) sts at beg of foll 2 rows.
Leave rem 47 (53) sts on a holder for back neck.
FRONT
Work as Back to **.
Rep these 2 rows until 12 fewer rows have been worked than on Back to start of upper arm and shoulder shaping, so ending with a WS row.
SHAPE FRONT NECK
Next row Patt 59 (68) sts, turn and cont on these sts only for left front neck, leave rem sts on a spare needle.
Cast off 3 sts at beg (neck edge) of next row and foll 2 WS rows, then 2 sts at same edge of next WS row, then 1 st at same edge of foll 2 WS rows. [46 (55) sts]
SHAPE UPPER ARMS AND SHOULDERS
Keeping patt correct and neck edge straight, cast off 6 (7) sts at beg of next row and 5 foll RS rows, then rem 10 (13) sts at beg of next RS row.
With RS facing, slip 21 (27) sts at centre front on to a holder, rejoin yarn to rem 59 (68) sts, cast off 3 sts, patt to end.
P 1 row.
Cast off 3 sts at beg of next row and foll RS row, then 2 sts at beg of next RS row and 1 st at beg of foll 2 RS rows. [46 (55) sts]
Patt 2 rows.
Keeping patt correct and neck edge straight, cast off 6 (7) sts at beg of next row and 5 foll WS rows, then rem 10 (13) sts at beg of next WS row.
SLEEVES
With 4mm straight needles, cast on 43 (49) sts.
Work 12 rows in single broken rib as given for Back, so ending with a WS row.
Now work in main patt as given for Back, shaping as follows: Patt 4 rows. ***
Inc row (RS) K1, M1, patt to last st, M1, K1.
Patt 3 rows.
Inc row (RS) K1, M1, patt to last st, M1, K1.
Patt 5 rows ***.
Rep the last 10 rows from *** to ***, 8 times more. [79 (85) sts]
Cont straight in patt until Sleeve measures 41 (43)cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Cast off in patt.
COLLAR
Join both shoulder seams. With the 4mm circular needle (60cm long), beg at left shoulder, pick up and K20 sts down left front neck, patt across 21 (27) sts at centre front, pick up and K20 sts up right front neck, then patt across 47 (53) sts at back neck.
[108 (120) sts]
Place a marker on first picked up st to show start of rounds.
Work in rounds of single broken rib as follows: Round 1 K to end.
Round 2 (P1, K1) to end of round.
Rep these 2 rounds 5 times more.
Next round P to end.
Next round (K1, P1) to end of round.
The last 2 rounds reverse the Collar to allow for roll over and are repeated until Collar measures 13 (15)cm from pick up, ending with a patt round.
Cast off loosely but evenly, you may need a larger needle to work this.
MAKING UP
With centre of cast-off edge of Sleeve to shoulder seam, sew Sleeves in place to body. Using mattress stitch and taking a half stitch into the seams, join side and Sleeve seams.