This pattern uses old UK needle sizes and bulky weight yarn. It also uses UK crochet terms (UK double crochet = US single crochet)
It’s a swift knit!
Materials
5 skeins “Sunbeam” blanket or “Wilga” blanket wool, shade No. 2138 (red)
2 pairs needles, No. 3 and No. 6
crochet hook
Measurements
Length from top of shoulder: 21 ins.; bust: 32 / 34 ins.
Abbreviations
K = knit
p = purl
st = stitch
tog. = togethter
sl. = slip
d.c. = double crochet
Tension
9 sts. = 2 ins.; 10 rows = 2 ins.
Instructions
The Back
Using No. 3 needles, cast on 64 sts. Work the 1st row following into back of sts.
1st Row (wrong side of work): K 2, p 2, k 3, p 2, k 3, * p 2, k 1, p 2, k 1, p 2, k 3, p 2, k 3, repeat from * to 4 last sts., p 2, k 2.
2nd Row: P 2, k 2, p 3, k 2, p 3, * k 2, p 1, k 2, p 1, k 2, p 3, k 2, p 3, repeat from * to last 4 sts., k 2, p 2.
3rd Row: repeat 1st row.
4th Row: P 2, k 2, p 3, k 2, p 3, * sl. next 3 sts. on to a spare needle, and leave at back of work, k the next 2 sts., sl the p st. from spare needle on to left-hand needle and p it, then k 2 sts from spare needle, p 1, k 2, p 3, k 2, p 3, repeat from * to last 4 sts., k 2, p 2.
Repeat 1st and 2nd rows. Repeat 1 row.
8th Row: p 2, k 2, p 3, k 2, p 3, * k 2, p 1, sl. next 3 sts on to spare needle and leave in front of work, k 2, sl. the ps st. from spare needle on to left-hand needle and p it, then k 2 sts. from spare needle, p 3, k 2, p 3, repeat from * to last 4 sts., k 2, p 2.
Repeat the last 8 rows until work measures 4 ins.
Change to No. 6 needles and continue in pattern until work measures 6 ins.
Change to No. 3 needles and work in pattern, increasing 1 st. each end of the next and then every 4th row until increased to 78 sts. (keeping the increased sts. in rib of k 2, p 3).
When work measures 13 ins. shape armholes by casting off 4 sts. at the beginning of the next 2 rows. K 2 tog. each end of the next 5 rows.
When armholes measure 8 ins. shape shoulders by casting off 6 sts. at the beginning of the next 6 rows.
Next Row: p 2 tog., k 2, p 2 tog., p 1, k 2 (p 2 tog.) twice, k 2, p 1, p 2 tog., k 2, p 2 tog., p 1, (18 sts.).
Change to No. 6 needles.
Next Row: K 2, * p 2, k 2, repeat from * to end.
Next Row: P 2, * k 2, p 2, repeat from * to end.
Work 3 more rows ribbing. Cast of loosely.
The Front
Work the same as for back until armholes measure 5 1/2 ins. Work 22 sts. (leave on spare needle, sl. the next 16 sts. on to a strand of wool and leave for neck), work 22 sts.
Continue on last 22 sts. and k 2 tog. at neck edge every 4th row until decreased to 18 sts.
When armholes measures 8 ins. shape shoulder by casting off 6 sts at armhole edge every 2nd row 3 times.
Join wool and work the 22 sts. for other shoulder to correspond.
With right side of work towards you, using No. 6 needle, pick up and k 17 sts. down left side of neck, work across the 16 sts. on strand of wool as follows: K 1, p 2 tog., p 1, k 2 (p 2 tog.) twice, k 2, p 1, p 2 tog., k 1, then pick up and k 17 sts. on right side of neck.
Work 5 rows of ribbing. Cast off loosely.
To Make up
Press with a warm iron and damp cloth.
Sew up seams.
Work 2 rows of d.c. (US single crochet) around armholes.