La Blouse

Loose like an artist’s smock and soft as filtered morning light, *La Blouse* is inspired by the quiet elegance of painters at work. Its high collar and flared sleeves suggest freedom of movement and grace, echoing a portrait of Tove Jansson painting in her studio. Worked top-down with two strands of lace-weight yarn held together, the sweater begins with a 1 × 1 ribbed neckband, shaped with increases into a funnel neck and shoulders before eyelets are added. These eyelets can be left as a lace motif or threaded with an i-cord or ribbon to form a bow, adding a feminine touch. Mohair lends ethereal softness, while the loose fit invites comfort and ease. **Sizes** 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) Recommended ease: 4–12" / 10–30 cm of positive ease. **Finished Measurements** Chest Circumference: 43.25 (46.25, 49.75, 53.5, 59.25) (65.75, 68, 68.75, 69.5, 71)" / 108 (115.5, 124.5, 133.5, 148) (164.5, 170, 172, 174, 177.5) cm. Yoke Depth (down centre of front): 11.75 (11.75, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5) (13, 13, 13, 13, 13)" / 29.5 (29.5, 31, 31, 31) (32.5, 32.5, 32.5, 32.5, 32.5) cm. Neckband Circumference: 16.75 (16.75, 16.75, 16.75, 16.75) (18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5)" / 42 (42, 42, 42, 42) (46, 46, 46, 46, 46) cm. Neckband Length: 3 (3, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5) (3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75, 3.75)" / 7.5 (7.5, 8.5, 8.5, 8.5) (9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5) cm. Body Length from Underarm: 14" / 35 cm. Upper Arm Circumference: 14.75 (16.5, 17.25, 18, 19) (19.75, 20.75, 21.75, 22.5, 24)" / 37 (41, 43, 45.5, 47.5) (49.5, 51.5, 53.5, 56, 60) cm. Sleeve Length from Underarm: 16" / 40 cm. Cuff Circumference (stretched): 13.25 (14.75, 15.5, 15.5, 16.5) (16.5, 16.5, 17.25, 17.25, 19)" / 32.5 (37, 39, 39, 41) (41, 41, 43, 43, 47.5) cm. I-cord Tie Length: 57 (57, 58, 58, 58) (61, 61, 61, 61, 61)" / 142 (142, 145, 145, 145) (152, 152, 152, 152, 152) cm. **Materials** Yarn: *For the sweater (main yarn):*  140 (150, 175, 185, 215) (240, 250, 260, 270, 285) g of Plumette by La Droguerie (70% Mohair, 30% Polyamide, 547 yds / 500 m – 50 g), in the colourway Ecru. *Note!* Plumette is sold by weight, not in fixed-weight skeins or balls. Or approx. 1530 (1640, 1915, 2025, 2350) (2625, 2735, 2845, 2955, 3115) yds / 1400 (1500, 1750, 1850, 2150) (2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2850) m of lace-weight yarn. Two strands of main yarn are held together throughout. *For the I-Cord (i-cord yarn):* 5 (5, 5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 6, 6, 6) g of Susurro by Malabrigo (50% Mulberry silk, 25% Merino, 25% linen, 325 yds / 297 m – 100 g), in the colourway Natural.  Or approx. 16 (16, 16.25, 16.25, 16.25) (17.25, 17.25, 17.25, 17.25, 17.25) yds / 14.5 (14.5, 15, 15, 15) (16, 16, 16, 16, 16) m of DK or sport-weight yarn. Alternative yarn suggestions are for example Soyeux by La Bien Aimée, Soft Silk Mohair by Knitting For Olive or Lace Mohair Superkid Silk by Lang Yarns (for Plumette) and Sonata by Noro, Mulberry Silk by Lang Yarns or Metalico by Blue Sky Fibers (for Susurro). Needles: US 6 / 4 mm 16"/ 40 cm, 24"/ 60 cm and 32–40"/ 80–100 cm circular needles and DPNs (or preferred method for working small circumferences in the round), and US 4 / 3.5 mm needles to work the i-cord. Notions: 21 (21, 24, 24, 24) (28, 28, 28, 28, 28) stitch markers for working the eyelets at the front and back panels, 8 contrasting stitch markers for the raglan stitch markers, and one unique stitch marker for BOR, waste yarn or stitch holders. **Gauge** 19 sts × 38 rnds to 4" / 10 cm on US 6 / 4 mm needles in 1 × 1 Ribbing, after blocking (slightly stretched). 22 sts × 34 rnds to 4" / 10 cm on US 6 / 4 mm needles in St St, after blocking.