Lion Brand^® Magic Stripes

GAUGE:

28 sts + 36 rows = 4" (10 cm) in St st (k on RS, p on WS) on larger needles.

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:

3-Needle Bind Off With RS together, hold in one hand 2 needles with equal number of sts on each. With third needle, knit tog one st from each needle, *knit tog one st from each needle, pass first st worked over second to bind off, repeat from * across to last st. Cut working yarn and pull through last st to secure. ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and k them tog.

BACK

With smaller needles, cast on 133 (147, 161, 175) sts. Work in K1, P1 Rib for 1", ending with a WS row. Change to larger needles and work in St st until piece measures 2 (21⁄2, 21⁄2, 3)" from beg, ending with a WS row.

Shape Waist

Continue in St st, decreasing 1 st at each side edge every 4th row 3 times, then every 6th row 4 times ñ 119 (133, 147, 161) sts. Work even until piece measures 71⁄2 (8, 8, 81⁄2)" from beg. Increase 1 st at each side edge every 4th row 4 times, then every other row 3 times ñ 133 (147, 161, 175) sts. Work even until piece measures 12 (121⁄2, 13, 14)" from beg.

Shape Armhole

Bind off 7 (7, 8, 9) sts at the beg of the next 2 rows; bind off 4 (5, 6, 7) sts at the beg of the following 2 rows; bind off 2 (3, 3, 4) sts beg of the next 2 rows; then decrease 1 st at each armhole edge on next 3 right side rows ñ 101 (111, 121, 129) sts. Work even in St st until armhole measures 81⁄2 (9, 91⁄2, 10)", ending with a WS row.

Shape Back Neck

K 35 (39, 41, 43) sts, bind off center 31 (33, 39, 43) sts, attach second ball of yarn and knit remaining sts. Working both shoulders at the same time, bind off 3 sts at each neck edge once; then bind off 2 sts at each neck edge 2 times ñ 28 (32, 34, 36) sts remain on each shoulder. Work even until piece measures 211⁄2 (221⁄2, 231⁄2, 25)" from beg. Place shoulder sts on holders.

LEFT FRONT

With smaller needle, cast on 63 (71, 77, 85) sts. Work as for Back, working waist and armhole shaping on right side edge only, until piece measures 19 (20, 21, 221⁄2)" from beg, ending with a RS row ñ 47 (53, 57, 62) sts after armhole shaping.

Shape Neck

Working shaping on Front neck edge only, bind off 7 (8, 9, 10) sts; bind off 5 (6, 6, 7) sts; then 4 (4, 5, 6) sts. Bind off 1 st at neck edge on next 3 rows ñ 28 (32, 34, 36) sts remain on shoulder. Work even until armhole measures same as Back. Place sts on holder.

LEFT FRONT

With smaller needle, cast on 63 (71, 77, 85) sts. Work as for Back, working waist and armhole shaping on right side edge only, until piece measures 19 (20, 21, 221⁄2)" from beg, ending with a RS row ñ 47 (53, 57, 62) sts after armhole shaping.

Shape Neck

Working shaping on Front neck edge only, bind off 7 (8, 9, 10) sts; bind off 5 (6, 6, 7) sts; then 4 (4, 5, 6) sts. Bind off 1 st at neck edge on next 3 rows ñ 28 (32, 34, 36) sts remain on shoulder. Work even until armhole measures same as Back. Place sts on holder.

RIGHT FRONT

Work as for Left Front, reversing all shaping.

FINISHING

Seam shoulders using 3-Needle Bind Off. Sew side seams.

Armhole Bands

With smaller circular needle and RS facing, pick up and knit 168 (176, 186, 194) sts evenly around armhole. Place marker and join; work K1, P1 Rib in rounds for 1". Bind off in rib.

Neck Band

With smaller needle and RS facing, pick up and knit 127 (133, 143, 153) sts evenly around neck. Work 1" in K1, P1 Rib. Bind off in rib.

Buttonhole Band

With smaller needle and RS facing, pick up and knit 159 (165, 173, 179) sts along Right Front, including side of neck band. Beg with a purl st on WS, work 4 rows in K1, P1 Rib.

Buttonhole Row (WS)

Work 4 (4, 5, 5) sts, *yo, ssk, rib 23 (24, 25, 26); repeat from * to last 5 (5, 6, 6) sts, end ssk, yo, rib 3 (3, 4, 4). Work 3 more rows in rib. Bind off all sts in rib.

Button Band

Pick up sts on Left Front as for Buttonhole Band. Work 8 rows in K1, P1. Bind off all sts in rib. Sew buttons onto band.

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