“You have a very smiling scene before you,” said Mr. Crawford. “Do you mean literally or figuratively? Literally, I conclude. Yes, certainly, the sun shines, and the park looks very cheerful. But unluckily that iron gate, that ha-ha, give me a feeling of restraint and hardship. ‘I cannot get out,’ as the starling said.” As Miss Bertram spoke, and it was with expression, she walked to the gate: he followed her. “Mr. Rushworth is so long fetching this key!”
—Chapter 10, Mansfield Park

Sotherton is inspired by the iron gates sprinkled, frustratingly, throughout the grounds at Mr. Rushworth’s estate of Sotherton. While they proved no match for Miss Bertram’s determination to trespass—with Mr. Crawford’s assistance— the Gothic Lattice pattern prettily constrain a knitter’s curves.

Worked in the round from the bottom up, the purl ground between left- and right-twists is the perfect place to tuck away decreases for some elegant waist shaping. The fit is close and elegant with the twist-stitch lines lengthening the wearer.

Sample shown in size 27¾” and modeled with 4” negative ease.

Needles: Size 6 (4 mm): 24” circular and set of five double-pointed
Notions: Markers; waste yarn or stitch holders; tapestry needle

Also available as part of Jane Austen Knits, Summer 2012 and as an individual download.