RELAXED IN"RIO"CROP TOP VEST
Skill level: Easy Sizes: Finished bust: 34-1/2" (36-1/2", 39-1/2")
Materials:
480 (540, 600) yds. worsted weight cotton/viscose nubby fleck yarn (sample shown in Cascade Yarns "Rio") Size US 8 (5 mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge Tapestry needle Gauge: 4 sts = 1", 6 rows = 1" in stockinette st on size US 8 (5 mm) needles Stitches/Terms: beginning (beg), bind off (BO), cast on (CO), decrease (dec), garter stitch (knit every row), knit (K), purl (P), stitch (st), stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row)
Pattern notes:
Note on decreases: Always keep 1 st at neck and armhole edges in stockinette st. Work decreases inside this edge st as follows: at right edge of piece, use ssk decrease. At left edge of piece, use K2 tog decrease. Therefore, when decreasing at the right edge, work K1, ssk, then proceed across row. When decreasing at the left edge, work K2 tog, K1 at end of row.
Back
Cast on 69 (73, 79) sts. Knit 6 rows. Continue in stockinette st (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until back measures 10 (11, 12)" from beginning. Shape armholes: Bind off 5 sts at beginning of next 2 rows - 59 (63, 69) sts. Decrease 1 st at armhole edge every other row 3 (3, 4) times - 53 (57, 61) sts. Work even until armhole measures 8-1/2 (9, 9-1/2)", ending on a purl row. Next row: Knit across 16 (17, 18) sts, place on holder, bind off next 21 (23, 25) sts, work across rem 16 (17, 18) sts, place on holder. Set piece aside.
Front
Cast on 69 (73, 79) sts. Knit 6 rows. Continue in stockinette st until front measures 9 (10, 11)" from beginning, ending on a purl row. Shape neck & armholes: Knit across first 34 (36, 39) sts, attach second ball of yarn, bind off center st, knit across remaining 34 (36, 39) sts. Continuing with separate balls of yarn, decrease 1 st at each neck edge every other row, and AT SAME TIME, when front measures 10 (11, 12)" from beginning, bind off 5 sts at beginning of next 2 rows for armholes. Decrease 1 st at each armhole edge every other row 3 (3, 4) times while continuing to work neck decreases every other row until 16 (17, 18) sts remain on each side. Work even in stockinette st until armholes measure 8-1/2 (9, 9-1/2)".
Finishing
Place front and back shoulder sts right sides together and bind off using 3-needle bind off method. Sew side seams (Note: to sew with "Rio", first cut strand of yarn, then separate the nubby ply from the smooth ply. Sew with the smooth ply.) Block lightly betweendamptowels.
