SOFT & HAZY LADYS VEST

INSTRUCTIONS

Tension

16 sts x 24 rows to 10cm over stocking st, using 5.50mm needles.

To work a 15cm x 15cm tension square, using 5.50mm needles cast on 24 sts.

Work 36 rows stocking st. Cast off.

If you have more sts to 10cm, use a larger size needle, if you have less sts to 10cm, use a smaller size needle.

Back

Using 5.50mm needles, cast on 73 (81-89-97) sts.

Beg Lower Band -

1st row (RS) - K2, P1, K1, rep from to last st, K1.

2nd row - K1, P1, K1, rep from to end.

Last 2 rows form rib.

Cont in rib until work measures 10cm from beg, ending with a 2nd row and dec one st in centre 72 (80-88-96) sts.

Work in stocking st for rem, until work measures 28cm from beg, ending with a purl row.

Shape Armholes -

Cast off 2 (4-6-8) sts at beg of next 2 rows ... 68 (72-76-80) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next row, then in every foll alt row until 50 (52-54-58) sts rem, then in every foll 4th row until 44 (46-48-52) sts rem.

Work 33 (33-35-37) rows stocking st, beg with a purl row.

Shape Shoulders -

Cast off 3 (3-3-4) sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 3 sts at beg of foll 2 rows.

Leave rem 26 (28-30-30) sts on a stitch-holder for neckband.

FRONT

Work as for Back to .

Work 7 (5-5-5) rows stocking st, beg with a purl row.

Shape Neck -

1st row (RS) - K15 (16-16-18), turn.

Cont on these 15 (16-16-18) sts for left side of neck.

Dec one st at neck edge in every foll alt row until 12 (12-13-16) sts rem, then in every foll 4th row until 9 (9-9-11) sts rem.

Work 7 rows stocking st, beg with a purl row.

Shape Shoulder -

Cast off 3 (3-3-4) sts at beg of next row, then in foll alt row.

Work 1 row.

Cast off rem 3 sts.

Slip next 14 (14-16-16) sts onto stitch-holder and leave for neckband.

With RS facing, join yarn to rem sts and knit to end.

Cont on these 15 (16-16-18) sts for right side of neck.

Rep from to , working one more row before shoulder shaping.

Neckband

Using mattress st, join right shoulder seam. With RS facing and using 5mm needles, knit up 26 (28-30-32) sts evenly along left side of neck, knit across 14 (14-16-16) sts from front stitch-holder, knit up 26 (28-30-32) sts evenly along right side of neck, then knit across 26 (28-30-30) sts from back stitch-holder dec one st in centre ... 91 (97-105-109) sts.

Work 7 rows rib as for lower band of Back, beg with a 2nd row.

Cast off loosely in rib.

Armhole Bands

Using mattress st, join left shoulder and neckband seam.

With RS facing and using 5mm needles, knit up 109 (119-129-137) sts evenly along first armhole edge.

Work 7 rows rib as for lower band of Back, beg with a 2nd row.

Cast off loosely in rib.

Work second armhole band in same manner.

Finishing

DO NOT PRESS. Using mattress st, join side and armhole bands from end of lower bands, thus leaving lower bands loose.