Ballet Belle by Sally Melville

Ballet Belle

Knitting
September 2000
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
28 stitches and 46 rows = 4 inches
in pattern stitch with larger needles
US 2 - 2.75 mm
US 3 - 3.25 mm
1144 - 1362 yards (1046 - 1245 m)
Sizes: 34-1/2, 37-1/2, 41, 44” (87.5, 95, 104, 112 cm) bust/chest
English
This pattern is available from interweave.com for $3.25.

Feminine and fine, gentle and winsome, this design is a very high-end piece intended for “fingering weight luxury yarn such as silk, merino, cashmere or blends”. Melville writes her usual superb pattern, incorporating selvage stitches and waist shaping, making the piece reversible front to back, and fashioning a different neckline for each side: a slight V as shown, and a slightly lowered squared-off neckline (not shown). There’s a dainty little lace edging around the neckline, only five rows including the bind-off, for extra subtle seduction.

Finished sizes (given only in the schematic) are 33.5”, 36.5”, 40”, and 43”.

SKILL LEVEL: Experienced

MATERIALS
Yarn: 5-6 50 gram (1.75 oz) balls of fingering weight luxury yarn such as silk, merino, cashmere or
blends yielding 1250-1500 yards depending upon size

Needles: Body and sleeves—US size 3 24” needle. Neckband—US size 2 16” needle. Adjust needle size
if necessary to obtain the correct gauge; you will also need stitch holders, tapestry needle

Gauge: 28 sts and 46 rows = 4” in pattern st on larger needles

Note: To facilitate seaming, a selvedge stitch is worked at each edge of each piece in stockinette stitch; this
garment is reversible and can be worn with either side in front.

Also available from Potluck Yarn as Ballet Belle.