• Dual-Texture Tunic

Dual-Texture Tunic

Designer Melissa Leapman is a prolific pattern writer and author of many books on all facets of knitting. I visited with Melissa briefly at the TNNA show as she talked with yarn manufacturers about their newest products. As she whirled about discussing all her options, local yarn shop owners, seeing her for perhaps the first time, would whisper as they recognized her. As our free pattern, we are featuring her Dual-Texture Tunic. If the yarn isn't perfect for summer in your locale, substitute one of the same category that will give you the gauge you require.

Materials List

• Ornaghi Filati United (worsted weight; 55% bamboo/45% cotton; 92 yds/50g per ball): 10 (11, 12, 12, 13) balls earth #518
• Size 6 (4mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge

Skill Level

Easy

Sizes

Woman's small (medium, large, extra-large, 2X-large) Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements

Gauge

Pattern Stitch

Rep Rows 1–4 for pat.

Pattern Note

Work all shaping decreases 1 stitch from the edge, working the edge stitch in stockinette stitch. On right side rows, work slip, slip, knit decrease at beginning of rows and knit 2 together decrease at end of rows; on wrong side rows, work purl 2 together decrease at beginning of rows and slip, slip, purl decrease at end of rows.

Back

Cast on 95 (105, 115, 125, 135) sts.

Work even in St st until piece measures approx 18 1/2 (19 1/4, 20, 20 3/4, 21 1/2) inches allowing lower edge to curl, ending with a RS row.

Empire Waist

Next row (WS): Purl, dec 7 (5, 5, 7, 5) sts evenly across row—88 (100, 110, 118, 130) sts.

Work even in Double Seed St until piece measures 22 (22 1/2, 23, 23 1/2, 24) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape armholes

Bind off 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then bind off 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) sts at beg of following 2 rows—74 (84, 90, 98, 106) sts.

Dec 1 st each side [every row] 0 (0, 2, 6, 10) times, [every other row] 1 (8, 8, 7, 6) time(s), then [every 4th row] 3 (0, 0, 0, 0) times—66 (68, 70, 72, 74) sts.

Work even in established pat until armholes measure approx 6 1/2 (7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck

Next row (RS): Work across first 15 (16, 17, 18, 19) sts; join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off center 36 sts, work to end of row.

Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn, dec 1 st at each neck edge once—14 (15, 16, 17, 18) sts each side.

Work even until armholes measure approx 7 (7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders

Bind off 4 (4, 4, 4, 5) sts at beg (armhole edge) of next 6 rows, then bind off 2 (3, 4, 5, 3) sts at beg of following 2 rows.

Front

Work as for back until armholes measure approx 1 1/2 (2, 2 1/2, 3, 3 1/2) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck

Continue armhole shaping same as for back and at the same time, shape neck as follows:

Next row (RS): Join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off center 16 sts, then work to end of row. Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn, bind off at each neck edge as follows: 4 sts once, 3 sts once, 2 sts once. Dec 1 st at each neck edge [every row] twice—14 (15, 16, 17, 18) sts each side. Work even until piece measures same as back to shoulders.

Shape shoulders

Work same as for back.

Finishing

Block pieces to finished measurements. Sew right shoulder seam.

Neckband

With RS facing, pick up and knit 163 sts along neckline. Work 7 rows in St st. Bind off loosely, allowing neckband to roll to RS. Sew left shoulder seam, including side of neckband.

Armbands

With RS facing, pick up and knit 90 (98, 106, 114, 122) sts along armhole. Work as for neckband.

Sew side seams, including side of armbands. Weave in all ends.

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