TULIP TOP

INSTRUCTIONS

Back

Using pair 4mm needles, cast on 169 (193-213) sts.

Knit 4 rows garter st (1st row is RS).

Change to 5mm needles.

Work in stocking st until work measures 13cm from beg, ending with a knit row.

Next row (WS) - P3 (1-1), (P2tog) 18 (25-30) times, (P1, P2tog) 30 times, P1, (P2tog) 18 (25-30) times, P3 (1-1) ... 103 (113-123) sts.

Change to pair 4mm needles.

Work 2 rows stocking st.

Beg Patt - 1st row (RS) - K1, K2tog, K3, * yfwd, K1, yfwd, K3, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K3, rep from * to last 7 sts, yfwd, K1, yfwd, K3, sl 1, K1, psso, K1.

2nd and foll alt rows - Purl.

3rd row - K1, K2tog, K2, * yfwd, K3, yfwd, K2, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K2, rep from * to last 8 sts, yfwd, K3, yfwd, K2, sl 1, K1, psso, K1.

5th row - K1, K2tog, K1, * yfwd, K5, yfwd, K1, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K1, rep from * to last 9 sts, yfwd, K5, yfwd, K1, sl 1, K1, psso, K1.

7th row - K1, K2tog, yfwd, K7, * yfwd, sl 1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K7, rep from * to last 3 sts, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K1.

9th row - K2, yfwd, K3, * sl 1, K2tog, psso, K3, yfwd, K1, yfwd, K3, rep from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K3, yfwd, K2.

11th row - K3, yfwd, K2, * sl 1, K2tog, psso, K2, yfwd, K3, yfwd, K2, rep from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K2, yfwd, K3.

13th row - K4, yfwd, K1, * sl 1, K2tog, psso, K1, yfwd, K5, yfwd, K1, rep from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K1, yfwd, K4.

15th row - K5, * yfwd, sl 1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K7, rep from * to last 8 sts, yfwd,

sl 1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K5.

16th row - Purl.

Rows 1 to 16 incl form patt.

Cont in patt until work measures 37cm from beg, ending with a purl row.

Shape Armholes - Keeping patt correct, cast off 5 (5-6) sts at beg of next 2 rows ... 93 (103-111) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next row, then in every foll alt row until 79 (83-89) sts rem. **

Cont in patt without shaping until armholes measure 19 (21-23) cm, ending with a purl row.

Shape Shoulders - Next row - Cast off 17 (18-21) sts, including st already on needle, K45 (47-47), cast off rem sts.

Leave centre 45 (47-47) sts on a stitch-holder.

Front

Work as for Back to **.

Work a further 5 (3-5) rows patt.

Shape Neck - Next row - Patt 24 (25-28), turn.

*** Cont on these 24 (25-28) sts and keeping patt correct, dec one st at neck edge in every row until 17 (18-21) sts rem.

Cont in patt without shaping until armholes measure same as Back to beg of shoulder, ending with same patt row on WS.

Cast off rem 17 (18-21) sts for shoulder. ***

Slip next 31 (33-33) sts onto a stitch holder and leave.

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

Rep from *** to ***.

Sleeves

Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 73 (73-83) sts.

Knit 4 rows garter st (1st row is RS).

Change to pair 4mm needles.

Beg Patt - Work 16 rows patt as for Back.

Cont in patt and working extra sts into stocking st, inc one st at each end of next row, then in every foll 4th row until there are 79 (83-95) sts.

Cont in patt without shaping until work measures 32cm from beg, ending with a purl row.

Shape Top - Keeping patt correct, cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows ... 73 (77-89) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next row, then in every foll alt row until 43 (39-55) sts rem, then in every row until 21 sts rem. Cast off loosely.

Neckband

Using mattress st, join right shoulder seam. With RS facing and using 3.25mm needles, knit up 28 (30-32) sts evenly along left front neck, knit across sts from front stitch-holder, knit up 28 (30-32) sts evenly along right front neck, then knit across sts from back stitch-holder ... 132 (140-144) sts.

Knit 4 rows garter st.

Cast off loosely.

I-Cord

Using double-pointed 4mm needles, cast on 4 sts.

1st row (RS) - K4, do not turn.

Slip sts to the other end of needle, pull yarn firmly across the back of work and rep 1st row.

Work each row in the same direction until the i-cord measures approx 200cm.

Break off yarn, thread end through rem sts, draw up tightly and fasten off securely.

Finishing

DO NOT PRESS. Join left shoulder and neckband seam. Join side and sleeve seams. Sew in sleeves.