Living in south Texas means summers spent on the coast. Nautical themes and transitional pieces abound.

Inspired by the bold, graphic design of the Nautical Alphabet “C” flag with its even striped panel of blue, white, red, white, blue, Cee Shell blends maritime tradition with modern style. The garment is knit in a slimming, alternating indigo and cream sequence of stripes, beginning at the top and bottom of the garment with larger stripes and fading to the smallest stripes at the waist.

Cee Shell is a bottom-up, high-neck shell/tank worked in merino wool, which makes it perfect for temperature control, to keep you cool on hot summer days and warm on cooler beach nights. The color “Whales Road” was specifically chosen as it covers the entire Indigo spectrum – from indigo blues to indigo purples. The design is meant to fit with up to 4 inches/10 cm of negative ease at the bust with a tailored, classic feel throughout the garment. The bottom features a folded edge for a clean look, with picked up i-cord edges along the neckline and armholes.

SIZE
Women’s XSS, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest/Bust: 29.2533.25, 37.25, 39.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25, 53.25, 57.25 inches/ 74.584.5, 94.5, 99.5, 105, 115, 125, 135.5, 145.5 cm
Length: 2121.5, 22, 22, 22, 22, 22.5, 22.5, 23.25 inches/ 53.554.5, 56, 56, 56, 56, 57, 57, 59 cm

Note: Garment is designed to have 2.75 to 4 inches/7 to 10 cm of negative ease at bust. See pattern notes for choosing the best size.

MATERIALS
Yarn : Malabrigo Yarns Rios 100% superwash merino wool; 210 yd/192 m per 100 g skein;
MC Whales Road; 12, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3 skeins
CC1 Natural; 12, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3 skeins
CC2 Ravelry Red; 1 skein

Yarn Characteristics
The yarn used for the sample is a light worsted-weight 100% superwash wool with a high twist. If choosing a different yarn, look for something springy that will hold its shape well.

Recommended needle size
always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique
US #6/4.0 mm circular needles, 24-40 inch/60-100 cm length (choose cable length shorter than bust circumference being worked)
1 set US #6/4.0 mm DPNs for working i-cord edging

Notions
stitch markers, including 3 locking markers
stitch holders or waste yarn
yarn needle

GAUGE

20 sts/30 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch worked in the round.

PATTERN NOTES

Construction method: The body of this shell is worked in the round from the bottom up, with a fitted waist. Bust shaping is added in the form of bust darts for all sizes. The body is divided at the armpits for neckline and shoulder shaping. I-cord edging is picked up and worked around the neck and armholes.

Choosing a size: It is recommended to select a size with about 2.75-4 inches/7-10 cm of negative ease at the bust.

How to add length: If additional length is desired, the middle stripe pattern is where to add that length. There will be a note in the pattern on how to add length at that time.

Techniques:

Jogless stripes
I-Cord edging
Seaming