Pattern
You will need
500-600g yarn A in white (used for trim)
800g – 1kg yarn B in another colour (used for the main body of the pelisse.)
Small amount black yarn
3 straight knitting needles of the same size. (Alternatively, if you only have one pair in the size you need, you can use 1 pair of needles and 1 more large stitch holder or piece of scrap yarn of a different colour to A and B)
Measuring tape
2 stitch holders
Crochet hook
Piece of card (for making tassels)
Snips or scissors
You can change the size of the pelisse by changing your gauge using different sizes of needles and weights of yarn. The one in the sample was knitted using DK weight Aran and 5mm needles at a gauge of 5sts/in.
Abbreviations
CO – Cast on
BO – Bind off
yf – yarn forward
ssp – slip stitch purlwise
k2tog – knit 2 together
k5tog – knit 5 together
w&t – wrap and turn
Pattern stitch
yf, ssp, k2tog
The entire pelisse is knitted in this pattern stitch, so for the purpose of this pattern, “k” means “knit in pattern”.
Pelisse is knitted from the bottom up.
Body
CO 270 st with A.
Next row: *yf, ssp, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
K 24 rows.
Next row: Slip 24sts on to a stitch holder. Join yarn B and k with B to last 24sts. Slip last 24sts on to a stitch holder. Turn.
Work even with remaining 222 stitches until work measures from your ankles to the bottom of your hip.
Next row: k27, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to last 30sts, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to end.
Work even for 13 rows.
Next row: k27, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to last 30sts, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to end.
Work even for 11 rows.
Next row: k27, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to last 30sts, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to end.
Work even for 13 rows.
Next row: k27, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to last 30sts, yf, ssp, k5tog, k to end.
Work even for 13 rows or until work reaches the bottom of your waist.
Next row: k27, yf, ssp, k5tog, *k6, yf, ssp, k5tog, rep from * to last 30sts, k to end.
Work even for 24 rows or until work reaches 1 ½ ins from underarm.
Front
Next row: k 27sts on to another needle of the same size.
Work even with these sts for 42 rows or until work reaches collarbone. Keep a tally of how many rows you knit, as you will need to match the other side.
BO 3sts at end nearest the centre of the work.
K 2 rows
Repeat until 9sts are left. BO 9 sts.
Repeat with first 27sts from other end of the work.
Back
Work even with remaining sts until the work matches the length of the fronts.
Next 2 rows: *BO 3sts, k to end.
Next 2 rows: k
Repeat from * six times.
Next 2 rows: k
BO remaining sts.
Sew top of each front to top of back to form shoulders.
Trim
Slip the 27sts from 1 stitch holder back on to needles.
Work even until it matches the front of the body and BO.
Sew trim and body together.
Repeat with 27 sts on other side.
Sleeves
Make 2 of each:
Top
With yarn B, CO 66sts. If this will not fit around the widest part of your upper arm, add sts in multiples of 3.
Work even for 78 rows or until work reaches from shoulder to elbow.
BO tightly.
Cuff
With yarn A, CO 18 sts. If this will not fit around the widest part of your forearm, add sts in multiples of 3.
Work even for 66 rows, or until work reaches from elbow to wrist and BO.
Sew one end of one cuff to one end of one top, gathering the top as needed.
Repeat for other sleeve.
Collar
With yarn A, CO 120 sts.
Work even for 8 rows.
Row 9 & 10: k to last 12 sts, w&t
Row 11 & 12: k to last 18 sts, w&t
Row 13 & 14: k to last 24 sts, w&t
Row 15 & 16: k to last 33 sts, w&t
Row 17 & 18: k to last 39 sts, w&t
Row 19 & 20: k to last 45 sts, w&t
Row 21 & 22: k to last 48 sts, w&t
Row 23 & 24: k to end.
Work even for 8 rows.
Row 33 & 34: k to last 12 sts, w&t
Row 35 & 36: k to last 18 sts, w&t
Row 37 & 38: k to last 24 sts, w&t
Row 39 & 40: k to last 30 sts, w&t
Row 41 & 42: k to last 36 sts, w&t
Row 43 & 44: k to last 42 sts, w&t
Row 45 & 46: k to end.
BO and sew BO side to neck.
Cords of tassels (optional)
Crochet one cord long enough to fit around your waist with some to spare, and another about 18 inches long to drape around the neck.
Make 7 large tassels and 12 small ones.
Attach 1 large tassel to each end of each cord.
Attach 1 large tassel to the middle of the cord you will be using as a belt.
Attach the other 2 large tassels and the 6 small ones at equal intervals along the belt.
Attach the remaining 6 small tassels at intervals of roughly 2 inches along the second cord and drape it around the neck of the pelisse under the collar.
If you prefer, you can add buttons, a zip or a belt to the pelisse instead of the belt of tassels to fasten it, or simply leave it unfastened.
Make little tufts of black wool and sew to white border and collar if desired.