We are starting to adapt our summer wardrobe, putting a cardigan over or wearing light sweaters.
This exact period I had in mind when I started to work on the Down Time Blouse. I wanted a long sleeve light sweater/top perfect to wear in this transition weather days.
You can Purchase the easy printable PDF version of this pattern here:
Because I am less experienced in knitting than Crochet, even I start learning knitting before crochet, but I don’t have too many knitted designs yet. So, I keep them simple, first because I am not confident enough to adventure into more complicated designs and second, because I don’t want to yet 😁
Like the name of this blouse, knitting is for me like a downtime, when my brain is taking a break. I found it so relaxing and it’s wonderful that I can relax and be productive in the same time.
All designs that I make, I make them for me. In them, I found my strength and power and beside made them to wear , I made them for the feelings I put in them. I experience a lot of good vibes when working on something and I want to share with you all and make you part of my journey and let experience the same feelings as I did because is totally worth it.
Because I am getting too nostalgic, while I am writing this post, blame the weather, let’s just see what we will need and how to make the Down Time Blouse.
MATERIALS
- Yarn
- Category 3 ( Light, Dk)
- Needles
- 5.5 mm (circular or straight)
- 5 mm crochet hook (optional) for bind off and cord
- You will need a yarn needle for wave in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch markers or safety pins
ABOUT DESIGN
The garment has a drop-shoulder sweater construction. 4 rectangles, back and front panels and sleeves which are seamed together.
The blouse is oversized with a positive ease of approximate 28 cm around bust circumference and has a waist length. A cord is attached on the waist to give to the final piece a “balloon” shape.
MEASUREMENTS
FRONT/BACK
Bust width a: 57 cm (62, 67, 72, 77, 82, 87, 92)
Length b: 54 cm (58, 58, 60, 60, 63, 64, 64)
Neck c : 26 cm (27, 26, 26, 27, 27, 26, 26)
*the neck width vary because of the stitch count for the shoulders
SLEEVE
Width a: 34 cm (40, 40, 46, 46, 52, 52, 52)
Length b: 39 cm (39, 41, 41, 42,42, 43, 43))
*all measurements are taken after blocking
These measurements will fit:
To Fit | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
Bust | 86 | 96 | 106 | 116 | 126 | 136 | 146 | 156 |
How much yarn do you need?
For this Down Time Blouse I used Prima Cotton from We Are Knitters. Because I wanted to add a bit of a contrasting color, I used for the cuffs or last few rows of the sleeve another same weight yarn.
You can Purchase the easy printable PDF version of this pattern here:
The amount of yarn below is for a single color. In case you want to change the color for the cuffs you will need with approximate half a skein less, from the main color and half a skein (or a whole skein if you are using a 50 /skein yarn) from a different color.
Prima Cotton WAK | S | M | L | XL | XXL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
100 g/212 m | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Each ball of Prima cotton has 100 g/212 meters
ABBREVIATIONS
k – knit
p – purl
YO – yarn over
CO – cast on
BO – bind off
Ss – slip stitch
St (s) – stitch (e)
R| – row
** – repeated section
STITCH PATTERNS
Stitch pattern 1 – Garter Stitch
The first 4 rows and the last 3 rows of each rectangle are made using the garter stitch
R1: sl 1st st, k all sts to the end of the row
Repeat R1 for as many rows as indicated in the pattern
Stitch Pattern 2 (main stitch pattern) – Mesh Stitch
R1| ss 1st st, k1, *pass the 3rd st over the first 2 sts, k1, YO, k1*. **repeat to the end of the row except last 2 sts. Finish the row with k2.
R2| ss 1st st, p all stitches, except last one. K last stitch.
R3| ss 1st st, k2, **pass the 3rd st over the first 2 sts, k1, YO, k1*. **Repeat to the end of the row, except last st. Finish the row with k1
R4| repeat R2
Repeat R1 to R4 to the desired length or for as many rows as pattern requires.
GAUGE
21 sts = 10 cm
18 rows = 10 cm
*The tension is measured in the mesh stitch pattern after blocking
You can Purchase the easy printable PDF version of this pattern here:
PATTERN NOTES
The mesh stitch pattern requires a multiple of 3+1 sts. In case you want to adjust the width, make sure to cast on a multiple of 3 +1
All 4 panels are worked flat.
Start every row by slipping the first st and finish the row with k1
Numbers for sizes M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL are written between brackets. If not the pattern applies for all sizes
INSTRUCTIONS
BACK/FRONT
CO 121 (130, 139, 151, 160, 172, 181) st
R1 – R4| Stitch pattern 1 (garter st)
*see the STITCH PATTERNS section
R5 – R93 (99, 99, 103, 103, 105, 111, 113) Stitch Pattern 2
*see the STITCH PATTERNS section
*last row in the Stitch Pattern 2, will be a right side row.
Next 3 rows up to R96 (102, 102, 106, 106, 108, 114, 116)
Stitch pattern 1 (garter stitch)
BO all stitches
Repeat the pattern for the second panel.
SLEEVES
CO 73 (85, 85, 97, 109, 109) sts
R1 – R4| Stitch pattern 1 (garter st)
*see the STITCH PATTERNS section
R5 – R67 (67, 71, 71, 73, 73, 75, 75)) Stitch Pattern 2
*see the STITCH PATTERNS section
*last row in the Stitch Pattern 2, will be a right side row.
Next 3 rows up to R70 (70, 74, 74, 76, 76, 78, 78) Stitch pattern 1 (garter stitch)
BO all stitches
*the pattern for the sleeves is written for one single color. In case you want to use a different color for the cuffs as the sample, work the last 20 rows (including the last 3 garter st rows) using a different color
Repeat the same pattern for the second sleeve.
ASSEMBLING
First, use 2 stitch markers to mark the shoulders and the neck line.
Shoulders: 33 (37, 42, 48, 52, 58, 63) for each shoulder
Neck Line: 55 (56, 55, 55, 56, 56, 55) sts
*because of the total number of sts for each size and because we need an equal number of sts for each shoulder, the neckline number of sts is not progressively bigger with bigger sizes.
You can adjust the width of the neck line, just by stitching less or more sts on the shoulders.
You can follow the diagram billow for assembling
After assembling the FRONT and BACK panels, stitch the sleeves. Use a stitch marker or a safety pin to mark the middle of the sleeve and join it with the shoulder seam. Then place 2 stitch markers, joining the corners of the sleeve width with the body of the blouse at the same distance on the back panel and front panel.
You should have approximate 17 (20, 20, 23, 23, 26, 26) cm from the shoulder seam on the back and front panel or approximate 30 (36, 36, 41, 41, 46, 47, 47) rows + the garter stitch section.
After finishing joining the sleeves with the body, stitch the edges, starting from the bottom of the sweater to the cuff.
TO FINISH
Wave in all remaining ends and block the blouse to measurements.
Insert a cord through the bottom stitch pattern spaces.
CORD
You can make the cord using a 5 mm crochet hook or you can knit one
I crocheted a cord of 200 chain stitches (size S) and then slip stitch into each stitch across.
And done! you have a new blouse or top to wear made by yourself!
You can Purchase the easy printable PDF version of this pattern here:
In case you need it, you can find here a step by step video tutorial
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