Lazear by Myrrhia Resneck

This top is named after Susan Lazear, because I was inspired to create this design after her lecture to the Machine Knit Guild San Francisco Bay area on ethnic garments based on rectangles.
I designed this garment for classy outings like picnics, bbq's, bridal showers, terrace dining, outdoor concerts--all the fun events that put demands on our summer wardrobes! The stripes give it a slightly old-timey, nautical feel.

Lazear is worked flat, from the empire waist up, starting with a provisional cast on. The front and back are identical. The shoulders are shaped with short rows, then the front and back pieces are joined at the shoulder with three needle bind off. There is brief seaming under the arms, then live stitches are picked up from the waist and the ribbing is worked in the round to the hem length of your choice. You could keep going and end up with a clingy beach cover up/dress.

Yarn provided by Webs.

Sizes

Finished Bust Size 28 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)”

No ease is recommended.

Yarn

RYC Bamboo Soft 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins of color A (102) and 5 (6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins of color B (109).

Color A is used for striping, color B is used for the ribbing at the hem and the finishing at the shoulders.

Needles

US #5 (4 mm): Straight or circular
US #4 (3.5 mm): 16 - 32" circular (this needle is used for the ribbing – length of circular will depend on which size you are knitting)
3.5 mm crochet hook

Gauge

22 sts and 28 rows = 4”

A note on gauge: vegetable fiber yarns have a tendency to grow and stretch out when when worn. Make sure your gauge is correct by knitting up a 30 st x 30 row swatch (do not slip the edge sts), fully soaking it, patting with a towel then HANGING to dry with some weights clipped to it (I used washers bundled together and twist-tied to a clothes pin).

Notions

Scrap yarn; tapestry needle.