Saturday Sheer: Mesh Raglan

The Saturday Sheer is knit in 100% cotton for one simple reason: cotton is lightweight and breathable, making it the perfect fiber for an open, airy mesh you can wear all summer. This top was designed to be an easy go-to for a day out boating, a cover-up at the beach, or a night out. The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down: a ribbed neckband, then a raglan yoke shaped with increases at each of the four section markers on both sides of the marker, with short rows across the back to slightly raise the back neck. The body and sleeves are then separated and each finished in the round. Sizes: This pattern is written in five sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2XL). Instructions are given for size S, with theother sizes in parentheses; when only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Choose your size by bust measurement — the design is meant to be worn with about 2–4" / 5–10 cm of positive ease, figured against the upper (fully blocked) end of the finished chest range, and the open mesh fabric is forgiving. Sizes M and XL are drafted a little roomier than the others — closer to 4–6" / 10–15 cm of positive ease — so that their underarm cast-on stays a multiple of 6 and the false side seam lands exactly on the center of the underarm. If you are between sizes and want a closer fit, size down. Materials: Yarn: Loops & Threads Classic Cotton (#4 medium weight; 100% cotton; 120 yd / 109 m per 2.5 oz / 70.9 g skein) — 5 (6, 6, 8, 8) skeins, approx. 575 (685, 720, 835, 875) yd / 526 (626, 658, 764, 800) m. (Note: I knit mine as a size L in the color Midnight Blue) Needles: • US 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, for the ribbing • US 6 / 4 mm circular needles, for the body and sleeves Other: US H-8 / 5 mm crochet hook for binding off; 4 stitch markers (1 unique for beginning of round); waste yarn or stitch holders; tapestry needle. (NOTE: This is a somewhat smaller needle size than typically used for worsted-weight yarn. I found these needle sizes keep the mesh stitches looking clean without being too tight to work with. I am also a fan of binding of with a crochet hook just because it is easier for me and I like the finished look of crochet slip stitches. The crochet hook isn’t necessary, though, if you prefer a different bind-of method that still allows some stretch.) Gauge in Mesh knitting pattern 13 sts × 18 rounds = 4" × 4" (10 × 10 cm) in mesh pattern on US 6/4 mm needles, after wet blocking.