Knitted Blouse in Simple Block Pattern

This attractive blouse has several points to distinguish it from the ordinary garment, and these points are not only a source of pleasure to the wearer but also to the worker. The principal attraction in it is the fullness which is gathered in at the shoulders and which prevents that hard and unbecoming line which is trying to so many figures. At first sight, this additional fullness may seem to complicate the work, but in reality the reverse is the case, as it enables the worker to make a crossover front without any increase or decrease of stitches so that no counting is necessary. The hip-band is knitted in two portions which may be of any length desired as the body of the blouse is gathered and plaited to fit this band. Thus it is a very easy matter to fit any figure accurately, and with many designs this is not the case. The garment is made in three pieces; the body and sleeves which are knitted in one, and the two bands. The front- and sleeve-edging are knitted at the same time as the garment, which saves much trouble.

The measurements of the model were as follows: Length from the shoulder, 24 inches; width around hips, 38 inches; length of sleeve from neck, 25 inches.

The knitting measured 7 stitches to the inch.

Cast on 104 stitches for the first front.

1. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, * knit 8, purl 8; repeat from * to the end of the row.

2. Knit 8, purl 8; repeat to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; knit 1 and purl 1 alternately to the end of the row.

Repeat these two rows once.

5. Same as the 1st row.

6. Purl 8, knit 8; repeat to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; knit 1 and purl 1 alternately to the end of the row.

7. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, * purl 8, knit 8; repeat from * to the end of the row.

Repeat the last two rows once.

10. Same as the 6th row.

These ten rows constitute the pattern. The worker will notice that 8 edge-stitches are always knitted in moss-stitch and the rest of the work is done in block-pattern. The moss-stitch edge is for the front trimming.

Repeat the 10 pattern-rows 8 times.

91. Work as the first row and cast on 2 stitches at the end of the row for the slope of the sleeve.

92. Purl 2, * knit 8, purl 8, repeat from * to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

93. Work in the pattern and at the end of the row knit 2, cast on 2.

94. Purl 4, work in the pattern to the end of the row.

95. Work in the pattern and at the end of the row knit 4, cast on 2.

96. Knit 6,* purl 8, knit 8; repeat from * and work the last 8 stitches in moss-stitch as usual.

97. Work in the pattern and cast on 2 stitches at the end of the row. There are now 8 stitches added at the end of this side.

98. Work in the pattern.

99. Work in the pattern to the end of the row and cast on 64 for the sleeve. There should be 176 stitches on the needle.

100. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, * purl 8, knit 8; repeat from * to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

101. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, * knit 8, purl 8; repeat from * to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

Repeat this row 4 times.

106. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, * purl 8, knit 8; repeat from * to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

Repeat this row 4 times.

Repeat the last 10 rows twice.

Then work 4 rows as the 101st row.

It is now time to arrange the front fullness.

135. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, * knit 4 stitches together; repeat from * 15 times; work as usual to the end of the row.

136. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, work in the block-pattern for 96 stitches, purl 16, (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

137. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, knit 16; work in the pattern to the end of the row as usual.

138. Same as the 136th row.

139. Same as the 137th row.

Work 16 more rows, working the 8 stitches at the beginning and end of every row in moss-stitch, 96 stitches in the block-pattern and the 16 stitches above the fullness in stocking-stitch, as already directed. Leave this piece upon a spare needle and cast on 104 stitches for the second front.

Work this exactly as described for the first front until 134 rows have been worked.

135. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times, * purl 4 together; repeat from * 15 times; work in the pattern to the end of the row.

136. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times; work 96 stitches in the pattern, knit 16 plain, (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

Work 19 rows with the 8 edge-stitches at each side in moss-stitch, 96 stitches in block-pattern, and the 16 stitches above the fullness, purl in the uneven rows and plain in the even rows.

156. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times; work in the pattern to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times; cast on 32 for the back of the neck, take the first front and knit the 8 stitches of the front edge in moss-stitch; work in the block-pattern to within 8 stitches of the end of the row, (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

157. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times; work 112 stitches in the block-pattern; (knit 1, purl 1) 24 times; work 112 stitches in the block-pattern, (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

Repeat this row 3 times.

161. (Knit 1, purl 1) 4 times; work in the block-pattern to within 8 stitches of the end of the row; (knit 1, purl 1) 4 times.

Repeat this row 44 times.

206. Bind off 64 sleeve-stitches, work to the end of the row.

207. Bind off 64 sleeve-stitches; work in the block-pattern to the end of the row.

208. Bind off 2; work in the block-pattern to the end of the row.

Repeat this row 7 times.

Work 90 rows in the pattern without decreasing and bind off.

Cast on 30 stitches for the first band.

1. Knit 1, purl 1; repeat to the end of the row.

Repeat this row for 19 inches, or more if required. Bind off.

Make a second band in exactly the same way.

To make up the blouse, first press all the pieces under a damp cloth. Sew the bottom of the back to one of the bands, easing in any fullness. Find the center of the other band and put a pin to mark a point 3 inches to the right of this, and another to mark a point 3 inches to the left. Pin the front edge of the left front to the right-hand pin and pin the edge of the right front to the left-hand pin to form the crossover. Sew the fronts to the top of the band, keeping the center slightly eased, and folding the extra fullness into 3 plaits at each side. When this is done, seam the sides, bands, and sleeves of the blouse, which is then complete.

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