About the Julie Blouse

This is an elegant, three-quarter-length sleeve blouse with a tight fit around the waist, a slouchier fit around the bust and a low back. The waist section is first worked top down in 3x1 rib knit in the round. Then, you will pick up stitches to knit the body bottom up, switch to larger needles and eventually, split into a front panel and a back panel. You will work stockinette flat on the front panel while the back panel is on hold, adding several increase rows as you move up. You will then cast off the front panel and work the back panel with a low back. Once both panels are cast off, you will seam the shoulders together. You will then pick up the sleeves and knit stockinette in the round to three-quarter length. Finally, you will create an I-cord and attach it to the back of the blouse to be used as a tie. There are optional modifications such as adding buttons and polka dots.

Sizing

This pattern is designed with negative ease for a tight fit around the waist and positive ease for a loose fit around the bust. You will measure your waist and bust circumference to find your correct size.

Sizes range from Size 1 to Size 10
Size 1 - waist measurement is 56-64 cm/22-25 in and bust measurement is 71-78 cm/28-30.5 in
Size 10 - waist measurement is 143-153 cm/56.5-60 in and bust measurement is 153-164 cm/60.5-65 in

Yarn

Super fine/fingering weight (yarn weight 1) plus lace weight (yarn weight 0)
I recommend using a natural fiber with high elasticity, such as superwash wool/wool blends.
See the sizing chart in pattern for recommended yarn meterage and grams for your size.

Gauge:

3x1 Rib on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles
24 st x 36 rows = 10 x 10 cm
(4 x 4 in)
Stockinette on 5.5 mm (US 9) needles
18 st x 26 rows = 10 x 10 cm
(4 x 4 in)

Tools

3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles with 40 cm (16 in) length cord
5.5 mm (US 9) circular needles with 50 cm (20 in) length cord
3.5 mm (US 4) double pointed needles for I-cord
Barber cords or scrap yarn for trying on and putting the back panel on hold
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming shoulders
Regular and removable stitch markers