Cockleshell Camisole

By Kai Mistry

With summer approaching and the call of the beach, what better way to celebrate than to create the patterns in your knitting. I remember collecting shells from the beach and playing in the tides and when we got home, arranging the shells on my windowsill and remembering the fun time we had. This camisole is a remembrance of the collected shells and the patterns left in the sand from the tides.

Photographs: Oliver Rochford Model: Kai Mistry

Size
Sizes: XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X)
To fit chest/bust: 32(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50) inches
Shown in size 34 inches

Requirements
Yarn: 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins RYC Cashsoft 4 Ply (57% Extra Fine Merino/33% Microfibre/10% Cashmere,180m/50g) in colour: Old Rose (SH421)

Metres: 627 (664, 704, 742, 781, 821, 860, 898, 938, 977)m
Yards: 685 (726, 769, 811, 854, 940, 982, 1025, 1068)yds

Needles: 3.25mm/US3 and 3.5mm/US4 circular needles to fit body, or size needed to obtain correct tension

Tension
24 sts and 32 rows = 10cm/4inches in stocking stitch on 3.5mm/US4
28 sts and 36 rows = 10cm/4inches in stocking stitch on 3.25mm/US3

Pattern Notes
The cockleshell pattern is a repeat of 19 stitches. If you find that the CO is either too much, or too little then increase/decrease by a multiple of 19 stitches.

Abbreviations
slm = slip marker

The standard list of Inside Loop abbreviations can be found here.

Instructions
Using smaller circular needle, cast on 228(247, 247, 266, 285, 304, 304, 323, 342, 342)sts. Join in the round, placing a marker to denote the beginning of round. For each round follow the chart/written pattern until the end of the round. Repeat rnds 1 to 12 twice for all sizes, following the chart/written pattern until the end of the round for each round. This will give you two rows of cockleshells as a lace trim.

Please read the next set of instructions as a whole before continuing.

Next round: k, placing marker at halfway point.
Next round: p, slipping marker as you pass it.

At the same time: If the number of stitches you have is not divisible by 5, then decrease evenly in the two rows above so that there are 225(245, 245, 265, 285, 300, 300, 320, 340, 340)sts.
Switch to larger circular needle.

Round 1: *k3, p2, repeat from * to end of round
Round 2: k around

Body – Waist Shaping:
Round 1: * k3, p2, repeat from * to end of round
Round 2: k1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before half way marker, ssk, k1, slm, k1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before end of round, ssk, k1.
Round 3: follow ribbing pattern, accommodating for decreases.
Round 4: k around
Round 5: same as round 3.
Repeat rnds 2 to 5 for a total of 18(18, 18, 18, 18, 20, 18, 18, 20, 18) times. This should decrease a total of 15cm/6 inches around.

N.B. Remember to try on the vest during the decreasing stage to make sure that the number of decreases actually works for you. Also blocking will lengthen your vest as well.

You will now have 153(173, 173, 193, 213, 220, 228, 248, 260, 268)sts

Continue in ribbing as set for a further 2.5cm/1 inch, slipping all markers as you come to them. This should bring you to just under your bust. If it doesn’t, then continue working until you have reached a point that works for you.

Switch to stocking stitch and knit for a further 2.5cm/1 inch, slipping all markers as you come to them.

Bust – Increase:
Round 1: k1, m1, k to 1st before halfway marker and m1, k1, slm, k1, m1, knit to 1st before end of round and m1, k1.
Round 2: k around
Round 3: k around

Repeat these 3 rounds a further 5(5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10) times.

Knit in st st for a further 6.25cm/2 ½ inches. This should bring you to a point just under your arms.

You will now need to decide where your vest straps should be placed. The strap is worked across 11sts on either side.

Round 1: *[k3, p2] for 21(24, 25, 30, 32, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44)sts. For strap, p3, k5, p3** k23(27, 27, 29, 35, 36, 38, 42, 44, 48), [k3, p2] for 21(24, 25, 30, 32, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44)sts. Repeat from * to ** until end of round.
Round 2: k around

N.B. For sizes XS, S, M, L and XL, as you started with an odd number of stitches you will need to make a stitch before the end of the round. Also, if you prefer your straps to be further apart, then cast off less stitches before the first strap and more stitches between the first and second strap (neckline).

Keeping strap sts as set, work ribbing for a total of 5cm/2 inches.

Next round: *cast off 21(24, 25, 30, 32, 34, 35, 39, 41, 44)sts. Work next 11sts in strap pattern as set. Cast off 23(27, 27, 29, 35, 36, 38, 42, 44, 48)sts. Work next 11sts in strap pattern as set. Work 21sts in ribbing. Remove marker and repeat from * for back.

Straps:
Join yarn to first strap. Keeping the first 3 and last 3sts in garter st and the middle 5sts in st st, work the strap until you hit the top of your shoulder. Graft the front strap and the back strap using Kitchener stitch and do the same for the other two straps.

Finishing
Weave in all ends and block. Wear to the beach or at a BBQ, or team it with a sexy skirt and shawl and wear out to dinner.

About the Yarn
RYC Cashsoft is one of a huge range offered by Rowan Yarns, a home-grown British company. It is available online in many colours from Kangaroo.

About the Designer
Kai is a Brit living in Germany. Her time is spent knitting, crocheting, spinning and now designing. Any remaining time is spent ogling all things fibre-y. You can read about her fibre exploits on her blog, Yarn Mistrys.

Contact Kai