Yarn: 24/3 mink yarn, knitted with double strands. Approximately 5.5 ounces used, half a skein remaining.
Needles: 3.0mm, 3.25mm, and 3.5mm knitting needles.
Finished Measurements: Bust 106cm, body length 51.5cm, sleeve length 59cm.
Gauge: 25 stitches and 34 rows = 10cm x 10cm in stockinette stitch.
Project Showcase: Includes detailed images for sleeve increases/decreases and the direction change for the fishbone stitch. Pay attention to the twist direction of the increase stitches.
Knitting Notes:
The entire garment is knitted top-down. Begin with the collar, then knit the two shoulders, followed by the back section short rows, then the front section short rows. Finally, join the shoulder and back stitches to continue knitting. After completing the front neck, join for working in the round.
Using 3.0mm needles, cast on 124 stitches. Knit 15 rows (approximately 3cm) of double rib (k2, p2). Divide stitches for front, back, and shoulders: 46 stitches each for front and back, 16 stitches for each shoulder.
Switch to 3.5mm needles for the shoulders. Increase one stitch at the beginning and end of each 16-stitch shoulder section for later pick-up (these increases will be decreased when joining with the front/back). Knit 36 rows for each 18-stitch shoulder section (knit fishbone stitch on the 2nd/3rd and the 2nd/3rd last stitches).
After both shoulders are complete, knit the back section. Knit all 46 back stitches. Work short rows for the back shoulders: 2-6-5 (pick up 30 stitches along the 36 shoulder rows). Then work short rows for the front shoulders, also 2-6-5. While working front shoulder short rows, shape the front neck (2-1-2, 2-2-6, 2-3-1, then join the remaining front neck stitches and switch to working in the round).
After completing the front shoulder short rows, join the left/right sections with the back to knit together (simultaneously decrease the stitches added for pick-up, and begin sleeve cap increases). This section is still worked flat. Continue knitting until the front neck shaping is fully complete before joining in the round.
Sleeve cap increases are made next to the fishbone stitch (ensure left and right twisted increases are symmetrical): 1-1-4, 2-1-29. During the last seven sleeve increases, also increase for the body on the other side of the fishbone stitch: 2-1-7. Then separate the body and sleeves, assigning the two fishbone stitches to the body.
Body: Under each arm, cast on 6 stitches. Total 260 stitches. Knit 75 rows. Switch to 3.25mm needles for the ribbed hem. On the first rib row, increase 8 stitches evenly distributed (268 stitches total). Knit 28 rows of rib, then bind off.
Sleeves: Pick up 6 stitches under the arm. Total 84 stitches. Knit 88 rows in stockinette stitch, then begin decreases. Starting from the center underarm, knit 28 stitches, then use the “Little Swallow” decrease method once (decrease directions differ on each side, see detail image). Knit 20 stitches, decrease once more, finish the round. Continue decreasing 4-2-6. Switch to 3.0mm needles, knit 24 rows of double rib, then bind off.
