A basic fitted t-shirt with a simple all-over texture gets a feminine touch with a moderately scooped neckline and waist shaping. Designed to hit at high hip, you may adjust length by working longer before starting the waist shaping.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes: S (M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X) to fit bust measuring 32-34 (36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54)”. Allow minimal or no ease when choosing size.
Finished Measurements
Bust: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54)”
Length: 22.5 (23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25)”
Gauge: 21 sts and 25 rows = 4”/10 cm in Rickrack Stitch
Materials
Yarn: Universal Yarns Cotton Supreme (100% cotton; 180 yards [165 meters]/100 grams): #615 Holiday Red (4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) skeins)
Needles: US size 3 straight and 16” circular needles, US size 5 straight needles
Notions: Waste yarn to hold stitches, tapestry needle
Special Stitches
LTr: Left Twist, right side. On a right side row, skip first stitch on left-hand needle, knit into back of second stitch but do not drop old stitch from needle, then knit first stitch from the front, and allow both old stitches to drop from left hand needle.
LTw: Left Twist, wrong side. On a wrong side row, skip the first stitch on left hand needle, purl into the second stitch but do not drop old stitch, then purl into the first stitch and allow both old stitches to drop from left hand needle.
Rickrack Stitch (Multiple of 4 sts plus 2)
Row 1 (Right side): K2, (LTr, k2) to end of row.
Row 2 (Wrong side): P2, (LTw, p2) to end of row.
Repeat these two rows to form pattern.
Pattern Notes
When working shaping, work any partial repeats of Rickrack Stitch in Stockinette stitch. For easier seaming, allow at least 1 stitch between any twisted stitches and edge.
Pattern
Back
Using smaller needles, CO 90 (102, 110, 122, 130, 142) sts. Work k1, p1 ribbing for approx. 1.5”, end after a WS row.
Switch to larger needles and begin working Rickrack St.
Work even in patt until piece measures 3” from beg.
Waist Shaping
Decrease Row (RS): K1, ssk, work in est patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
*Work 5 rows even in est patt.
Repeat Decrease Row.
Repeat from * 3 more times. (80 (92, 100, 112, 120, 132) sts)
Work even in est patt 2”.
*Increase Row: K1, m1, work in est patt to last st, m1, k1.
Work 5 rows even in est patt.
Repeat from * 4 more times. (90 (102, 110, 122, 130, 142) sts)
Work even in est patt until piece measures 16” from beg.
Shape Armholes
Row 1 (RS): BO first 6 (8, 9, 11, 11, 13) sts, work in est patt to end of row. (84 (94, 101, 111, 119, 129) sts)
Row 2 (WS): BO first 6 (8, 9, 11, 11, 13) sts, work in est patt to end of row. (78 (86, 92, 100, 108, 116) sts)
Row 3 (Decrease Row): K1, ssk, work in est patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (76 (84, 90, 98, 106, 114) sts)
Row 4: P2, work in est patt to last 2 sts, p2.
Repeat last two rows 5 (7, 8, 10, 10, 12) more times. (66 (70, 74, 78, 86, 90) sts)
Work even until piece measures 6.25 (6.75, 7.25, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75)” from beg of armhole shaping.
Shape Back Neck
(RS) Work first 14 (16, 18, 18, 22, 22) sts of row.
Turn and work those 14 (16, 18, 18, 22, 22) sts on wrong side. Turn.
BO those 14 (16, 18, 18, 22, 22) sts. Break yarn.
Place center 38 (38, 38, 42, 42, 46) sts on waste yarn.
Reattach yarn and work 2 rows in est patt on rem 14 (16, 18, 18, 22, 22) sts. BO.
Front
Work as for Back until piece measures 2 (2.75, 3, 3.75, 4, 4.5)” after beginning of armhole shaping.
Shape Front Neckline
Row 1 (RS): Work first 18 (20, 22, 22, 26, 26) sts in est patt.
Place center 30 (30, 30, 36, 36, 38) sts on waste yarn.
Attach second ball of yarn and work rem 18 (20, 22, 22, 26, 26) sts in est patt.
Work both halves separately at same time.
Row 2 (WS): Work even in est patt.
Row 3 (dec row): Work across first set of sts to 3 sts before neckline gap, k2tog, k1. Drop yarn from first set and pick up yarn from second set; k1, ssk, work in est patt to end.
Rep Rows 2 & 3 three more times. (14 (16, 18, 18, 22, 22) sts per side)
Work even in est patt until front piece length equals 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” and matches back. BO shoulder sts.
Sleeves (Make Two)
Using smaller needles, CO 58 (62, 70, 78, 86, 94) sts. Work .75” k1, p1 ribbing.
Switch to larger needles and begin Rickrack pattern.
Work until piece measures 2.5” from beginning.
Sleeve Cap Shaping
Row 1 (RS): BO first 6 (8, 9, 11, 11, 13) sts, work in est patt to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): BO first 6 (8, 9, 11, 11, 13) sts, work in est patt to end of row.
Row 3 (decrease row): K1, ssk, work in est patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 4: P2, work in est patt to last 2 sts, p2.
Repeat last 2 rows 15 (15, 16, 17, 19, 20) more times. (14 (14, 18, 20, 24, 26) sts)
BO remaining sts.
Finishing
Sew shoulder seams.
Using circular needle in smaller size, place back neck stitches from hold onto needle and knit them; on left side of neckline, pick up and knit 3 sts for every 4 rows on vertical and diagonal edge, then place front neck stitches on a needle and knit them; on right side of neckline, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows. Total stitches should be an even number: Dec 1 if necessary to adjust stitch count.
Work .75” k1, p1 ribbing. BO.
Sew sleeves into armholes, shaping cap as needed to get a smooth fit.
Sew side and sleeve seams.
Darn in all ends.
Wash and block according to yarn band instructions.