SHADOW 8PLY TOP

Instructions

Tension

20 sts and 27 rows to 10cm over stocking st, using 4.50mm needles.

Back

Using pair 4mm needles, cast on 122 (140) sts.

Beg moss st - 1st row (RS) - * K1, P1, rep from * to end.

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

Rep 1st and 2nd rows twice more ... 6 rows moss st in all.

Change to pair 4.50mm needles.

Work in stocking st until work measures 15cm from beg, ending with a purl row.

Shape sleeve opening - 1st row (RS) - Cast on 3 sts, then P1, K1, P1 over these 3 sts, knit to end.

2nd row - Cast on 3 sts, then K1, P1, K1 over these 3 sts, purl to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1 ... 128 (146) sts.

3rd row - P1, K1, P1, knit to last 3 sts, P1, K1, P1.

4th row - K1, P1, K1, purl to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1.

Rep 3rd and 4th rows (noting 3 sts at each end are in rib) until work measures 30 (33) cm from beg, ending with a 4th row, thus completing sleeve openings. **

Shape shoulders - 1st row (RS) - (P1, K1) twice, P1, sl 1, K1, psso, knit to last 7 sts, K2tog, P1, (K1, P1) twice.

2nd row - (K1, P1) twice, K1, purl to last 5 sts, K1, (P1, K1) twice.

Rep last 2 rows (keeping 5 sts at each end in rib correct) until 80 (102) sts rem, ending with a 1st row.

Next row (WS) - Rib 5, P2tog, purl to last 7 sts, P2tog tbl, rib 5.

Cont dec one st (as before) in every row until 38 (44) sts rem.

Leave rem sts on a stitch holder.

FRONT

Work as for Back to **.

Shape shoulders - 1st row (RS) - (P1, K1) twice, P1, sl 1, K1, psso, knit to last 7 sts, K2tog, P1, (K1, P1) twice.

2nd row - (K1, P1) twice, K1, purl to last 5 sts, K1, (P1, K1) twice.

Rep last 2 rows (keeping 5 sts at each end in rib correct) until 114 (134) sts rem, ending with a 2nd row.

Divide for v neck - next row (RS) - Rib 5, sl 1, K1, psso, K50 (60), turn.

Cont on these 56 (66) sts.

*** Dec one st (as before - inside 5 sts) at shoulder edge in every foll alt row 16 (15) times, AT SAME TIME dec one st at end (neck edge) in every foll alt row 10 (13) times, then in every foll 4th row 3 (1) time/s ... 27 (37) sts.

Dec one st at shoulder edge (as before) in every row 21 (29) times, AT SAME TIME dec one st at neck edge in every foll 4th row 4 (6) times ... 2 sts.

Next row - K2tog. Fasten off. ***

With RS facing, join yarn to rem sts and knit to last 7 sts, K2tog, rib 5.

Cont on these 56 (66) sts.

Rep from *** to ***.

Neckband

Using mattress st, join shoulder seams. With RS facing and using 4mm circular needle, knit up 42 (46) sts evenly along left side of neck, M1 (centre st and mark this st with a stitch marker or coloured thread), knit up 42 (46) sts evenly along right side of neck, then knit across sts from back stitch-holder - dec one st in centre ... 122 (136) sts.

1st round - (K1, P1) 19 (21) times, K1, P3tog, K1 (centre st), P3tog, * K1, P1, rep from * to end.

2nd round - * P1, K1, rep from * to within 4 sts of centre st, P1, K3tog, P1 (centre st), K3tog, * P1, K1, rep from * to end.

Keeping moss st, cont dec 2 sts either side of centre st until 6 rounds in all have been worked.

Cast off.

Finishing

Do not press. Join side seams to beg of sleeve openings. Sew in all ends.