My First Pattern!

Here it is!  My very first pattern.  The picture is darker than I would have preferred, so I included an "in progress" pic too, but I haven't had a chance to get someone else to photograph me and the lighting in my bathrooms is rather dim.  I've decided to call this the Margaret Top because it makes me think of Margaret Houlihan from M*A*S*H (and I love that show).

Please keep in mind that this is the first time I have ever written a pattern and that it has not been tested.  Please let me know if you find an problems with it, I'm sure there will be some, please let me know.  I'm still working on figuring out sizing so, for now, we'll call it a S/M.


Margaret Top

3-balls Patons Classic Wool in Deep Olive

US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle

4 dpns, size 7

4 stitch markers

Gauge- 18 x 28

M- 27” bust, finished. There is quite a bit of negative ease in this garment, my actual bust measurement is 40” and you can see that it fits nicely.

Stitches Used:  Stockinette

                       K2/P2 ribbing

                        Applied I-cord:  after the 3 st cast on knit 2 sts, k2tog, then slip worked sts back onto the left needle.  Pull the yarn tight across the back of the sts and repeat K2, k2tog, slip back to working needle until all working sts are bound off.  Break yarn.

Cast on 52 stitches. Place markers as follows- 1 st, PM1, 7 sts, PM2, 34 sts, PM3, 7 sts, PM4, 1 st.

Row 1- K1, increase knitwise, slip marker, increase knitwise, K7, increase knitwise, slip marker, increase purlwise, K34, increase purlwise, slip marker, increase knitwise, K7, increase knitwise, slip marker, increase knitwise, K1

Row 2 and all wrong side rows- Work in established pattern

Row 3 and all right side rows- Work as established on Row 1, increasing on each side of every marker. Every 2 increases switch from increasing in knit to increasing in purl or vice versa. This will make the ribbing pattern.

Neckline

When piece measures 8 inches cast on 34 sts, to be worked in Stst, and join(check at this point to make sure the number of stitches cast on will allow for the 2/2 ribbing pattern to be worked continuously when you reach the bottom edge). Continue working in the round with increases as patterned.

Shape Armholes

When piece measures 9 inches (this is a "sizing point" if 9 inches is too short you can continue on as needed but you will have to adjust your stitch count on the sleeves) from back of the neck stop increasing and work as follows. Work to Marker 1. Transfer sts between Markers 1 and 2 to a piece of scrap yarn. Place a marker at the underarm join. Continue working to Marker 3. Transfer sts between Markers 3 and 4 to a piece of scrap yarn. Continue working in the round in established ribbing pattern.

When piece measures 19 inches work to the marker and work the ribbing pattern. At the beginning of the Stst section change to K2/P2 ribbing across the back. When you reach the front Stst section change to K2/P2 ribbing. This establishes the bottom band of the top, ribbing should alternate evenly all the way around.

After 2 inches of ribbing bind off and weave in ends.

Sleeves- R and L sides are worked the same.

Put sts from scrap yarn on dps, pick up and knit 4 sts at the underarm join (if you made the armholes bigger you will need to pick up more sts here. as for the neckline, make sure that however many stitches you pick up allows the 2/2 ribbing to be continued on the sleeve edge). Work 4 rows in the round in Stst. After 4 rows switch to K2/P2 ribbing. Work ribbing for 1 inch. Bind off, weave in ends.

Neckline/collar-

With right side facing, pick up and knit 36 sts across the back neckline. Purl wrong side row casting on 3 sts at the end. With right side facing, work applied I-cord bind off.

With right side facing pick up and knit 36 sts across front neck opening. Purl wrong side row, cast on 3 sts. With right side facing, work applied I-cord bind off. Repeat this twice or until neckline is desired height.  Weave in ends.