This is such a cute sweater top but the vintage pattern sizes would never fit me. The sizes look so tiny so I am thinking that historically women were smaller.
I’m getting better at measuring and figuring out gauge swatches so I thought I might make this a fun little project to add 2 more sizes with grade school ratio math skills. What is listed looks like XS (32”), S (34”), M (36”). I want to add a size L (38”) and XL (40”)
The pattern is free from freeknittingpatterns.com called ‘Knitted Blouse’. You can get a free printable version or you can purchase the digital leaflet or booklet that it comes from for a very low price on the same website.
COATS & CLARK’S O.N.T. “SPEED-CRO-SHEEN” MERCERIZED COTTON, Art. C.44: 7 balls of No. 1 White for Sizes 12 and 14; 8 balls for Size 16.
Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Knitting Pins, 1 pair No. 4 (3½ mm. size) and 1 pair No. 8 (5 mm. size).
GAUGE: 5 sts make 1 inch; 8 rows make 1 inch.
BLOCKING MEASUREMENTS:
Sizes 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20
Actual Chest: 32” (34”, 36”, 38”, 40”)
Width across back or front at
underarm
5 sts/inch – 16” (17”, 18”, 19”, 20”)
Length from shoulder to lower
edge
18” (19”, 20”, 21”, 22”)
Directions are given for Size 12; changes for Sizes 14 ,16, 18 and 20 are in parentheses.
BACK … Starting at lower edge with smaller knitting pins, cast on 80 (86, 90, 96, 100) sts. Work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 3 inches. Change to larger knitting pins and work in garter st (k each row) until piece measures in all 11½ (12, 12½, 13, 14) inches. Place a marker at both ends. Continue to work in garter st until piece measures in all 17 (18, 19, 20, 21) inches.
To Shape Neck: Knit across 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts, bind off next 32 (34, 34, 36, 38) sts, knit to end of row. Work over the last 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts only, decreasing 1 st at neck edge on next row and every other row until there remain 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) sts. Bind off loosely. Attach thread to other side of neck edge and work to correspond, reversing neck shaping.
FRONT … Work exactly as for Back.
BACK NECKBAND … With smaller knitting pins, pick up and knit across neck edge 64 (66, 68, 70, 72) sts. Work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, decreasing 1 st at both ends every other row until there remain 58 (60, 62, 64, 66) sts. Bind off loosely in ribbing.
FRONT NECKBAND … Work as for Back Neckband.
Sew shoulder seams.
SLEEVES … With right side facing and larger knitting pins, pick up and knit between markers 64 (66, 68, 70, 72) sts. Work in garter st for 3½ (4, 4, 4.5, 5) inches. Change to smaller knitting pins and work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Block to measurements. Sew up side and sleeve seams.
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Note: The sizes still look small even though I added 2 more sizes. Go up a needle size if you are fluffier like me. Try size US#9 and US#5 Knitting Needles to get closer to a 4 sts per inch gauge. The pattern listed yarn is probably Worsted weight Cotton Yarn with the ball band saying to use US#7 Needles. For fluffier sizes, use an Aran weight Cotton or Cotton blend yarn. The ball band will say to use US#8 Needles but we’re going to use US#9 Needles to make it a bit bigger. The length might need an extra inch. I’m not sure. It’s your choice.
Joyful In Tribulation 