It’s time to share this top-down knit tee pattern with you so you can try knitting it with Lina and Whisper Lace held together. The drape of the resulting fabric is fabulous. I wanted to hold these two yarns together because I felt that I could finish a full sweater in 5 weeks if it were knit at a worsted weight gauge. Alas..I still have 7″ to go on the bottom of the body and both ¾-length sleeves to add on. As soon as I do, I’ll update this post.
Yesterday, I shared with you how to work decreases and increases so that the linen doesn’t get stretched out, never to bounce back. Today we’ll jump full into the pattern. At the moment, I only have instructions for a Large (44″ bust), but soon, I’ll have graded the instructions for several other sizes.
The parallelogram lace panel travels down only one side of the yoke. It also appears on one side of the back of this tee.
Pattern Information
bust 44″ (meant to be worn with zero positive/negative ease)
length 25″
sleeves 3/4-length
materials
8US [5mm] Zing circular needle; various cable lengths to accommodate different amounts of stitches at neck opening, full yoke, body, and sleeves.
8 stitch markers, 2 additional unique-looking stitch markers
6 hanks Lina by Fibra Natura (pictured in Fern): 3.5oz [100g] / 252 yds [230m]; 68% linen, 32% cotton.
4 balls Whisper Lace by Fibra Natura (pictured in Reeds): 1.75oz [50g] / 440 yds [400m]; 70% superwash wool, 30% silk
These two yarns held together knit to a worsted weight gauge of 18 sts and 25 rows to 4″ [10cm] in the round.
The diagram for the Lace Panel is below. It’s called CHART A in the pattern. Here are the text instructions for those who prefer them. Row numbers for the sweater instructions will not consistently coincide with the row numbers for the chart as you need to repeat the 36 rounds over and over again. Read the chart from right to left each round.
Rnd 1: Ssk, yo, k9.
Rnd 2: K1, p1, k9.
Rnd 3: K1, ssk, yo, k8.
Rnd 4: K2, p1, k8.
Rnd 5: [Ssk, yo] twice, k7.
Rnd 6: [K1, p1] twice, k7.
Rnd 7: K1, [ssk, yo] twice, k6.
Rnd 8: K1, [k1, p1] twice, k6.
Rnd 9: [Ssk, yo] 3 times, k5.
Rnd 10: [K1, p1] 3 times, k5.
Rnd 11: K1, [ssk, yo] 3 times, k4.
Rnd 12: K1, [k1, p1] 3 times, k4.
Rnd 13: [Ssk, yo] 4 times, k3.
Rnd 14: [K1, p1] 4 times, k3.
Rnd 15: K1, [ssk, yo] 4 times, k2.
Rnd 16: K2, [p1, k1] 4 times, k1.
Rnd 17: [Ssk, yo] 5 times, k1.
Rnd 18: K1, [p1, k1] 5 times.
Rnd 19: K1, [ssk, yo] 5 times.
Rnd 20: K1, [k1, p1] 5 times.
Rnd 21: K2, [ssk, yo] 4 times, k1.
Rnd 22: K3, [p1, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 23: K3, [ssk, yo] 4 times.
Rnd 24: K3, [k1, p1] 4 times.
Rnd 25: K4, [ssk, yo] 3 times, k1.
Rnd 26: K5, [p1, k1] 3 times.
Rnd 27: K5, [ssk, yo] 3 times.
Rnd 28: K6, p1, [k1, p1] twice.
Rnd 29: K6, [ssk, yo] twice, k1.
Rnd 30: K7, [p1, k1] twice.
Rnd 31: K7, [ssk, yo] twice.
Rnd 32: K7, [k1, p1] twice.
Rnd 33: K8, ssk, yo, k1.
Rnd 34: K9, p1, k1.
Rnd 35: K9, ssk, yo.
Rnd 36: K10, p1.
Chart A Stitch Diagram and Symbol Legend for Parallelogram Lace Panel
Special Stitches
Hitch-st on purl side: Yarn should already be at front of work as this is purl side, slip first st purlwise [as if to purl], tug on yarn to the right and take over right-hand needle to the back, bring yarn up through both needle tips, give it one more tug, [this is known as the purl hitch-stitch-abbrev: ph-st],
Hitch-st on knit side: Yarn will be at back of work as this is knit side, bring yarn forward, slip first st purlwise [as if to purl], tug on yarn to the right and take over right-hand needle to the back, give it one more tug, [this is known as the knit hitch-stitch-abbrev: kh-st],
Working hitch-sts off needles: purl or knit into both strands of next hitch stitch [check the German Short Rows video below] to maintain pattern of Seed Stitch.
Abbreviations
K = knit; P = purl; SSK = slip next st purlwise, return to LH needle through front strand, knit 2 sts tog through back loops; pm = place marker, sm = slip marker or stitch marker, rm = remove marker, rem = remaining, st(s) = stitch(es), sl = slip, btwn = between, LH = left hand, RH = right hand, k2tog = knit 2 together, tog = together
The back of the sweater is split at the beginning and short-rows are worked to help the neck opening sit correctly on the shoulders.
Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on and size 8US [5mm] needles, cast on 91 sts.
Set-up Row: Knit.
Row 1: K17, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
Row 2: Kh-st, k across.
Row 3: K16, work off hitch st by kh-2tog, k10, turn.
Row 4: Ph-st, p across.
Row 5: Knit to hitch st, work off hitch st by kh-2tog, k10, turn.
Row 6: Ph-st, p across.
Row 7: Knit to hitch st, work off hitch st by kh-2tog, knit across.
Row 8: K18, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
Row 9: Kh-st, k across.
Row 10: Purl to hitch st, work off hitch st by ph-2tog, p10, turn.
Row 11: Kh-st, knit across.
Row 12: Purl to hitch st, work off hitch st by ph-2tog, p10, turn.
Row 13: Kh-st, knit across to last st, place unique sm to indicate beginning of round.
Bring other end of circular needle around to join in the round, being careful not to twist, sl last st to LH needle, k2tog—90 sts.
Hold these two yarns together throughout the pattern.
Now working in Rounds
Set-up Rnd 1: K5, pm, [k11, pm] 3 times, k12, [pm, k11] 3 times, pm, k6.
Slip all markers as you come to them.
Rnd 1: K2, M1, k15, [k4, M1, k3, M1, k4], k14, **M1, k3**, rep btwn ** twice more, k11, rep btwn [ ], k3, M1, k3—99.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K18, *k1, [M1, k3] 4 times, work row 1 of Chart A, k7*, m1, k19, rep btwn * once—108 sts.
Rnd 4: Knit to 3rd marker, sm, work row 2 of Chart A, [knit to next marker, sm] 3 times, work row 2 of Chart A, knit rem sts.
Rnd 5: K18, *[k3, M1] 4 times, k4, work row 3 of Chart A*, k8, m1, k19, rep btwn * once, k7—117 sts.
Rnd 6: Knit to 3rd marker, sm, work row 4 of Chart A, [knit to next marker, sm] 3 times, work row 4 of Chart A, knit rm sts.
Rnd 7: K18, *k1, [M1, k5] 4 times, work next row of Chart A*, k9, M1, k19, rep btwn * once, k7—126 sts.
Rnd 8: Knit to 3rd marker, sm, work next row of Chart A, [knit to next marker, sm] 3 times, work corresponding row of Chart A, knit rem sts.
Rnd 9: K1, M1, k5, M1, k12, *k8, M1, k9, M1, k8, work next row of Chart A*, k29, rep btwn * once, k1, M1, k5, M1, k1—134 sts.
Rnd 10: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 11: K3, M1, k17, *k9, M1, k9, M1, k9, work next row of Chart A*, [k4, M1]x3, k13, rep btwn * once, k6, M1, k3—143 sts.
Rnd 12: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 13: K5, M1, k16, *k5, M1, k19, M1, K5, work next row of Chart A*, k1, [M1, k5]x3, k17, rep btwn * once, k5, M1, k5—152 sts.
Rnd 14: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 15: K22, *k3, [M1, k7]x4, work next row of Chart A*, k12, M1, k23, rep btwn * once, knit rem sts—161 sts.
Rnd 16: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 17: K2, M1, k2, M1, k18, *k12, M1, k11, M1, K12, work next row of Chart A*, k2, M1, k34, rep btwn * once, k7, M1, k2, M1, k2—170 sts.
Rnd 18: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 19: K12, M1, k12, *k1, M1, k35, M1, k1, work next row of Chart A*, k11, M1, k4, M1, k22, rep btwn * once, k1, M1, k12—178 sts.
Rnd 20: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 21: K2, M1, k62, work next row of Chart A, k2, M1, k24, M1, k52, work corresponding row of Chart A, k12, M1, k2—182 sts.
Rnd 22: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 23: K4, M1, k41, M1, k20, work next row of Chart A, k2, M1, k26, M1, k32, M1, k20, work corresponding row of Chart A, k11, M1, k4—188 sts.
Rnd 24: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 25: K6, M1, k62, work next row of Chart A, k4, M1, k24, M1, k55, work corresponding row of Chart A, k10, M1, k6—192 sts.
Rnd 26: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 27: K8, M1, k60, work next row of Chart A, k6, M1, 22, M1, k57, work corresponding row of Chart A, k9, M1, k8—196 sts.
Rnd 28: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 29: K10, M1, k59, work next row of Chart A, k8, M1, 20, M1, k59, work corresponding row of Chart A, k8, M1, k10—200 sts.
Rnd 30: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 31: K12, M1, k58, work next row of Chart A, k10, M1, k18, M1, k61, work corresponding row of Chart A, k7, M1, k12—204 sts.
Rnd 32: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 33: K14, M1, k6, k11, k40, work next row of Chart A, k12, M1, k16, M1, k12, k11, k40, work corresponding row of Chart A, k6, M1, k14—208 sts.
Rnd 34: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 35: K16, M1, k5, k11, k40, work next row of Chart A, k14, M1, k14, M1, k14, k11, k40, work corresponding row of Chart A, k5, M1, k16—212 sts.
Rnd 36: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 37: K2, M1, k20, k11, k40, work next row of Chart A, k2, M1, k40, M1, k2, k11, k40, work corresponding row of Chart A, k20, M1, k2—216 sts.
Rnd 38: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 39: K5, M1, k18, k11, k20, M1, k20, work next row of Chart A, k4, M1, k38, M1, k4, k11, k20, M1, k20, work corresponding row of Chart A, k18, M1, k5—222 sts.
Rnd 40: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 41: K24, k11, [k10, M1]x3, k11, work next row of Chart A, k48, k11, [k10, M1]x3, work corresponding row of Chart A, k24—228 sts.
Rnd 42: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 43: K2, M1, k22, k11, k44, work next row of Chart A, k2, M1, k44, M1, k2, k11, k44, work corresponding row of Chart A, k22, M1, k2—232 sts.
Rnd 44: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 45: K25, k11, [k11, M1]x3, k11, work next row of Chart A, k50, k11, [k11, M1]x3, k11, work corresponding row of Chart A, k25—238 sts.
Rnd 46: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 47: K2, M1, k23, k11, k47, work next row of Chart A, k2, M1, k46, M1, k2, k11, k47, work corresponding row of Chart A, k23, M1, k2—242 sts.
Rnd 48: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 49: K26, k11, k11, [k12, M1]x3, k11, work next row of Chart A, k52, k11, [k12, M1]x3, k11, work corresponding row of Chart A, k26—248 sts.
Rnd 50: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 51: K2, M1, k24, k11, k50, work next row of Chart A, k2, M1, k48, M1, k2, k11, k50, work corresponding row of Chart A, k24, M1, k2—252 sts.
Rnd 52: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 53: K27, k11, [k12, M1]x3, k14, work next row of Chart A, k54, k11, [k12, M1]x3, k14, work corresponding row of Chart A, k27—258 sts.
Rnd 54: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 55: K2, M1, k62, M1, k27, work next row of Chart A, k2, M1, k50, M1, k40, M1, k26, work corresponding row of Chart A, k25, M1, k2—264 sts.
Rnd 56: Rep Rnd 8.
Rnd 57: K14, M1, k79, work next row of Chart A, k28, M1, k93, work next row of Chart A, k14, M1, k14—266 sts.
Rnd 58: Rep Rnd 8, removing the unique marker at the beginning of the round and removing the 4 markers that flank 11-st panels that do NOT have the lace motif worked across them. Leave the other 4 markers in place.
Split for body.
Set-up Rnd: Knit 41, place new unique marker to indicate beginning of round, turn work, cable cast-on 16 sts, turn work, place next 50 sts on a stitch holder, knit next 83 sts, at the same time working the next row of Chart A across the 11 sts between sm, turn work, cable cast-on 16 sts, turn work, place next 50 sts on a stitch holder, knit 83 sts, working the corresponding row of Chart A across the 11 sts between sm—198 sts.
Rnds 1-21: Knit around, working next row of Chart A across both sets of 11 sts between sm.
Rnd 21: Remove unique beginning-of-round marker, k8, place unique marker to indicate new beginning of round, knit in established pattern (continuing lace panel between both sets of markers) across 99 sts, place another marker to indicate center below armhole, knit in established pattern across.
Rnd 23: *Knit in established pattern across next 23 sts, [ssk, k13]x5, k1*, pm, rep btwn *—188 sts.
Rnds 24-30: Knit in established pattern
Rnd 31: *K2, M1, knit in established pattern to 2 sts before marker, M1, k2*; rep btwn *—192 sts.
Rnds 32-34: Knit.
Rnd 35: *K1, M1, k2, M1, knit in established pattern to 1 st before marker, M1, k1*; rep btwn *—198 sts.
Rnds 36-38: Knit in established pattern.
Rnd 39: *K1, M1, k5, M1, knit in establishd pattern to 6 sts before marker, M1, k5, M1, k1*; rep btwn *—202 sts.
Repeat Rnds 36-39 eight times more—234 sts.
Continue knitting in established pattern until garment from top of back neck measures approx. 23.5 inches, removing both sets of markers that flank the 11-st lace panels, but not the other two markers.
Divide for side splits
Row 1: Knit 117 sts across to next marker, rm, turn.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Knit all rows until length of side split is 1½”. Bind off.
Repeat these rows on Back sts.
The yoke shaping is done in such a way to keep the parallelogram lace panel on one side, and should slope gently and contoured.
Sleeves
Set-up Rnd: With RS facing, starting halfway across 16 stitches cast-on for armhole, pick up and knit 8 sts, return 50 sts resting on st holder to needle and knit around, pick up and knit 8 sts across rem armhole sts, pm for beginning of round—66 stitches
Knit around until sleeve from armhole measures 3 inches.
Dec Rnd: K2, ssk, knit to 4 sts before marker, k2tog, k2.
Continue knitting around, repeating dec rnd every 6th round until sleeve measures 7 inches.
Knit straight for 2 more inches.
Next Rnd: Purl.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Rep last 2 rnds once. Bind off.
Can’t wait to get the sleeves done!
I hope you really like this sweater and that the parallelogram lace appeals to you. Instead of miles and miles of stockinette stitch, which can get rather boring, you’ll have the fun of working two panels of lace every so often…it’s like eating a bag of potato chips; you can’t stop! Please let us know if you’re knitting this or which tutorials have been helpful tips for your knitting skills inventory.
Thanks for joining me this week, knitting with the beautiful Zing interchangeable circular needles, Fibra Natura Whisper Lace and Lina yarn!