FREEDOM BEACH TOP

Sleeve Length: 35cm

Tension: 21 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over stocking st, using 4mm needles.

BACK AND FRONT (both alike)

Using 4mm needles and, cast on 107 (117-127-137) sts.

Knit 3 rows garter st (1st row is WS).

Beg Patt - 1st row (RS) - K3, K5, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, rep from to last 4 sts, K4.

2nd and foll alt rows - K3, purl to last 3 sts, K3.

3rd row - K3, K3, K2tog, yfwd, K1, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K2, rep from to last 4 sts, K4.

5th row - K3, K2, K2tog, yfwd, K3, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K1, rep from to last 4 sts, K4.

7th row - K3, K1, K2tog, yfwd, K5, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, rep from to last 4 sts, K4.

9th row - K3, K2tog, yfwd, K7, yfwd, sl 1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K7, rep from to last 5 sts, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K3.

10th row - As 2nd row.

Rows 1 to 10 incl form patt.

Cont in patt until work measures 34cm from beg, working last row on WS, thus completing side splits.

Working 3 sts at each end in stocking st from this point on instead of garter st, cont in patt until work measures 54cm from beg, working last row on WS.

Shape Armholes - Keeping patt correct, cast off 7 (8-9-11) sts at beg of next 2 rows ... 93 (101-109-115) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next row, then in every foll alt row until 81 (85-91-95) sts rem.

Cont in patt without shaping until armholes measures 16 (17-18-19) cm, working last row on WS.

Shape Neck - Next row (RS) - Patt 31 (32-34-35), turn.

Cont on these 31 (32-34-35) sts and cast off 2 sts at neck edge in next row, then in every foll alt row until 19 (20-22-23) sts rem.

Work 2 rows patt.

Shape Shoulder - Cast off 10 (10-11-12) sts at beg of next row.

Work 1 row. Cast off rem 9 (10-11-11) sts.

Slip next 19 (21-23-25) sts onto a stitch holder and leave.

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

Cont on these 31 (32-34-35) sts and cast off 2 sts at neck edge in every foll alt row until 19 (20-22-23) sts rem.

Work 2 rows patt.

Shape Shoulder - Complete as for other shoulder.

SLEEVES

Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 71 (81-91-91) sts.

Knit 3 rows garter st (1st row is WS).

Change to 4mm needles.

Beg Patt - 1st row (RS) - K5, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, rep from to last st, K1.

2nd and foll alt rows - Purl.

3rd row - K3, K2tog, yfwd, K1, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K2, rep from to last st, K1.

5th row - K2, K2tog, yfwd, K3, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K1, rep from to last st, K1.

7th row - K1, K2tog, yfwd, K5, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, rep from to last stts, K1.

9th row - K2tog, yfwd, K7, yfwd, sl 1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K7, rep from to last 2 sts, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso.

10th row - As 2nd row.

Rows 1 to 10 incl form patt.

Cont in patt until work measures 35cm from beg, ending with a purl row.

Shape Top - Keeping patt correct, cast off 3 (4-5-5) sts at beg of next 2 rows ... 65 (73-81-81) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next row, then in every foll alt row until 31 (41-53-49) sts rem, then in every row until 19 sts rem. Cast off loosely.

NECKBAND

Using mattress st, join right shoulder seam. With RS facing and using 3.25mm needles, knit up 12 sts evenly along left front neck, knit across sts from front stitch holder, knit up 12 sts evenly along right front neck, 12 sts evenly along right back neck, knit across sts from back stitch-holder, then knit up 12 sts evenly along left back neck ... 86 (90-94-98) sts.

Knit 3 rows garter st. Cast off very loosely knitways.

FINISHING

DO NOT PRESS. Using mattress st, join left shoulder and neckband seam. Join side seams from end of side splits to beg of armhole shaping. Join sleeve seams. Sew in sleeves.