Lion Brand^® Al-Pa-Ka

GAUGE:

24 sts + 25 rows = 4" (10 cm) in cable pattern.

BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

C2B Slip 2 sts to cn, hold to back, k2, k2 from cn. Rib Pattern Row 1 (WS) *K2, p1; rep from *, end k2. Row 2 *P2, k1; rep from *, end p2. Repeat Rows 1–2 for pattern. Cable Pattern Row 1 and all WS rows *K2, p4; rep from *, end k2. Rows 2 & 6 *P2, C2B, p2, k4; rep from *, end p2, C2B, p2. Rows 4, 8, 10, 14, 18, 20 *P2, k4; rep from *, end p2. Rows 12 & 16 *P2, k4, p2, C2B; rep from *, end p2, k4, p2. Repeat Rows 1–20 for pattern.

BACK
With smaller needles cast on 128 (140, 152, 164, 176) sts. Work 10 rows in Rib Pattern, end RS row. Change to larger needles. Work in Cable Pattern until piece measures 14 1/2 (15, 15, 15 1/2, 15 1/2)" from beg or to desired length to underarm, end with a WS row.

Shape armholes Bind off 8 (8, 8, 8, 14) sts at beg of next 2 rows, 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 2 sts at beg of next 6 rows – 94 (106, 118, 130, 130) sts. Work even in pattern until piece measures 24 (241/2, 25, 251/2, 26)".

Shape back neck Work across 25 (31, 31, 37, 37) sts. Place center 44 (44, 56, 56, 56) sts on holder. With second ball of  yarn, work across rem 25 (31, 31, 37, 37) sts. Working both sides at same time, bind off from each neck edge 2 sts once, then 1 st once – 22 (28, 28, 34, 34) sts. Work even until armhole measures 101/2 (101/2, 11, 11, 111/2)". Bind off.

FRONT
Work Rib Pattern as for back. Change to larger needles  and beg Cable Pattern, starting with Row 11. Work even until piece measures same as back to underarm, end with a WS row. Mark center 2 sts.

Shape armholes and V-neck Shape armholes at side edges as for back, AT SAME TIME, place center 2 sts on hold for neck and, working both sides at same time with separate balls of yarn, dec 1 st at each neck edge every other row 19 (19, 29, 29, 27) times, then every 4th row 5 (5, 1, 1, 3) times – 22 (28, 28, 34, 34) sts. Work even until armhole measures same as for back. Bind off.

FINISHING
Block pieces.

Sew shoulder and side seams.

Neckband With RS facing and smaller circular needle, beg at left shoulder and pick up 57 (57, 60, 60, 63) sts along left front neck, purl 1 st from holder, place marker, purl 1 st from marker, pick up 57 (57, 60, 60, 63) sts along right front neck, pick up 7 sts along right back neck edge, work across 44 (44, 56, 56,  56) sts on holder, pick up 7 sts along left back neck edge – 174 (174, 192, 192, 198) sts  Join and work neck band as follows:
*p2, k1; rep from * to 2 sts before marker, p2tog tbl, slip marker, p2tog, **p2, k1; rep from ** to end of rnd. Repeat this rnd, working decreases at front V on every rnd until neckband measures 1".  Bind off in pattern, working dec’s at front V.

Armbands With RS facing and smaller circular needle, pick up 132 (132, 138, 138, 144) sts around armhole. Join and work in K1, p2 rib for 1" bind off in pattern.

  Learn to Knit instructions:  http://learnToKnit.LionBrand.com