Fairisle Tunic - Free USM Pattern

For the Ultimate Sweater Machine®
Fair-Isle Tunic 
Designed by Kathy Perry

Level of difficulty: experienced

SIZES:  
S (M, L): 30 (34, 38)”

FINISHED MEASUREMENTSBust 36 (40, 44)"Length 29 (30, 31)"

MATERIALS / YARNCaron® International's Simply Soft® (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m):
#9727 Black (MC), 3 (3, 4) skeins
#9701 White (A), 1 skein
#9742 Grey Heather (B), 1 skein
Caron® International's Simply Soft® Brites (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, approx 315 yds/288 m):
#9603 Papaya (C), 1 skein

MATERIALS / NEEDLESUltimate Sweater Machine®
One pair US size 7 (4.5 mm), or size to obtain gauge
One circular needle size US  ( mm), " long

MATERIALS / ADDITIONALStitch markers
Stitch holders
Crochet hook size US F/5 (3.75 mm)
Tapestry needle (tn)

ADDITIONAL / OPTIONAL
Row counterBobbins

GAUGEIn Fair Isle pattern, 18 sts and 23 rows = 4"/10 cm

KNIT STITCHES USED
Garter stitch (Garter st): Knit every row.
Stockinette stitch (St st): Knit on RS, purl on WS.
Fair Isle Patterns; Work in St st, following Charts.

CROCHET STITCHES USED
Chain (ch)Single crochet (sc)

NOTE
Tunic is worked in 4 pieces, Back, Front and 2 Sleeves; Yoke is worked on sts picked up around neckline shaping.

BACK and FRONT (both alike)
Using MC, CO 83 (91, 99) sts. 

Hem

1. (RS) Begin Garter st; work even for 4 rows, end with a WS row.
2. (RS) Change to St st and begin Pattern 1 from Chart; carrying colors not in use loosely across WS of piece, work even until piece measures 21 1/2 (22, 22)” from beginning, end with a WS row. 

Shape Armhole

1. Note: Armhole shaping will not be completed on larger sizes before Neck shaping begins.(RS) BO 4 (4, 5) sts at beginning of next 2 rows—75 (83, 89) sts remain.
2. (RS) Dec 1 st each side every other row 7 (10, 12) times—61 (63, 65) sts remain after armhole shaping is completed; and AT THE SAME TIME, when armhole measures 3 (3, 3 1/2)” from beginning of shaping, end with a WS row; place a marker each side of center 27 sts.

Shape Neck

1. (RS) Continuing armhole shaping, if necessary, for your size, work across to marker; place center 27 sts on holder for neck; join a second ball of yarn and work to end. Working both sides at the same time, at each neck edge, dec 1 st every row 6 (7, 7) times, then every other row 6 (6, 7) times—5 sts remain each side for shoulder. Work even until armhole measures 7 1/2 (8, 9)" from beginning of shaping.
2. BO remaining sts. 

SLEEVES

1. Using MC, CO 47 (51, 51) sts. 

Cuff

1. (WS) Begin St st; purl 1 row even.  
2. (RS) Begin Pattern 2 from Chart, centering pattern and changing colors as indicated; work Rows 1 – 17 once, end with a RS row. Cut colors B and C.
3. (WS) Work 1 row MC.

Shape Sleeve

1. (RS) Change to Pattern 1 from Chart; inc 1 st each side this row, then every 16 (17, 12) rows 1 (3, 1) times, every 17 (0, 13) rows 2 (0, 4) times—55 (59, 63) sts. Continuing in pattern as established, work even until sleeve measures 17 (17 1/2, 18)” from beginning, end with a WS row.

Shape Cap

1. (RS) BO 4 (4, 5) sts at beginning of next 2 rows—47 (51, 53) sts remain. 
2. (RS) Dec 1 st each side every other row 7 (7, 8) times, every 3 rows 2 times, then every other row 6 (7, 8) times—17 (19, 17) sts remain.
3. BO remaining sts loosely.

Note: Instructions are given for working the Yoke on Back and Front pieces separately, then seaming at shoulders. If desired, work Yoke with a size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle after sewing shoulder seams. If working circular, pick up and knit 156 (162, 168) sts around Back and Front neck shaping; all rounds are worked with RS facing; work all rounds from right to left on Chart. 

BACK and FRONT YOKE (both alike)

1. With RS facing, using MC, pick up and knit 79 (83, 85) sts along Front neckline. 
2. (WS) Begin St st; purl 1 row even.
3. (RS)  Begin Pattern 2 from Chart, centering pattern and changing colors as indicated; work Rows 1 – 17 once, end with a RS row; and AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st each side every other row 8 times. Cut contrast colors. 
4. (WS) Using MC only, purl 1 row even.
5. BO rem sts firmly.

FINISHING

1. Block pieces to finished measurements, if necessary. Sew shoulder seams, carefully matching Fair Isle pattern.
2. Set in sleeves; sew Sleeve and sides seams.

Edging

1. With RS facing, using MC, join yarn with a slip st to right shoulder; ch 1, work 1 row sc around lower edge of Sleeve cuffs and around neck edge of Yoke. Weave in ends.

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