In season 5 of Elementary, there’s a scene where Joan Watson, played by Lucy Liu, faces down the perp across the table in an elegant boardroom. I remember nothing about the episode, the case, or anything other than this scene, where the perp—a blonde lawyer, wearing a structured blue corset and a crisp white top—stares her down, defiant in the face of arrest. More, specifically, I really liked the outfit.

Inspired by that scene and with a few other details from Joan Watson’s wardrobe, this blouse features a fitted corset-style body in DK weight yarn, along with a light, flowing drop-shoulder top, seamed only on the shoulders.

This pattern has been tech-edited. Thank you to my solo test knitter, an absolute champ!

Sizes

The Guardian Blouse is designed for upper bust sizes (26, 30, 34) 38, 42, 46 {50, 54, 58] inches / (66, 76, 86) 96, 106, 117 {127, 137, 147} cm, with -4” / 10cm to 0” /0 cm negative ease.

The sample shown is with 0” ease on a 5’4” (163cm) model.

Yarn Requirements
• DK weight: (330, 400, 460) 530, 600, 670 {740, 810, 880] yds / (300, 360, 440) 490, 550, 610 {680, 740, 800] m
• Fingering weight: (780, 830, 870) 950, 1000, 1070 {1120, 1180, 1220} yds / (710, 760, 800) 860, 920, 970 {1020, 1080, 1110} m

Yardage/Meterage is estimated and may vary wildly based on personal preferences and customizations. The estimates above include a swatch in both yarns and are based on a full-length blouse. I strongly suggest buying an extra skein of yarn, just in case.

Sample shown is made in:

• Bottom of Blouse: The Frosted Stitch - Toasty Tweed DK/8 ply (231 yds/211 m per 100g/3.52 oz, 85% Merino/15% Nylon), in Volumes
• Top of Blouse: The Frosted Stitch - Snowflake Sock/4ply (463 yards/423 meters per 100g/3.52 oz, (75% Merino/25% Nylon) in Pages

Gauge

• For DK weight/8 ply: 20sts x 30rnds = 10cm/4in in stockinette
• For Fingering weight/4ply: 28sts by 38rows = 10cm/4in in stockinette

Suggested Needles

• For DK weight/8 ply: 3.75mm/US5 circular needles, 32”/80cm (or size necessary to obtain gauge).
• For Fingering weight/4ply: 2.75mm / US2 circular needles in any size, and DPNs for small circular knitting if not using magic loop (or size necessary to obtain gauge).

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