Valentine Pullover Pattern #1177

MATERIALS J. & P. Coats Knit-Cro-Sheen, 6 balls of White or Ecru, or 7 balls of any color. Milward's steel crochet hook No. 8. 12 buttons. Shoulder paddings, if desired. Measurements After Blocking: Bust - 35½ inches. Length from top of shoulder - 19½ inches. Length of sleeve, underarm seam - 3½ inches. Gauge: 2 complete shells (including sc's at either side) make 1½ inches; 4 rows of shells make 1½ inches.

WAISTBAND (Back)... Starting at bottom, ch 128 (about 9 ch sts to 1 inch).

1st row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, * sc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch. Repeat from * across, ending with sc in each of last 2 ch (127 sts). Row should measure 14 inches without stretching. Ch 1, turn.

2nd row: Sc in 1st sc, * ch 1, sc in next ch-1 of previous row. Repeat from * across, ending with ch 1, sc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

3rd row: Sc in 1st sc, * sc in next ch-1, ch 1. Repeat from * across, ending with sc in last ch-1, sc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat the 2nd and 3rd rows alternately for 3 inches.

Next row: Sc in each sc and in each ch across, making 2 sc in each of 6 sts at equal distances apart in center 8 inches (133 sts). Ch 1, turn.

BACK... 1st row: Sc in 1st st, * ch 1, skip 2 sts; in next st make: 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 1, skip 2 sts, sc in next st (shell). Repeat from * until 5 shells are made. Then work 18 shells as before, but skip only 1 st (instead of 2). Work last 5 shells to correspond with beginning of row (28 shells).

2nd row: Ch 5 (to count as dc and ch-2), * sc in ch-2 at middle of shell, ch 2, dc in sc between shells, ch 2. Repeat from * across, ending with dc in sc. Ch 1, turn.

3rd row: * Sc in dc, ch 1, in sc make: 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 1. Repeat from * across, ending with sc in dc, turn.

Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows alternately for 8½ inches, ending with openwork row, turn.

To Shape Armholes: Sl st across to 3rd dc (2 shells decreased), sc in dc, continue in pattern across to 3rd dc from end of row. Turn, and work a row in pattern. On next shell row, dec. another shell at both ends in same manner. Work in pattern over remaining 22 shells until piece measures 7 inches from 1st row of armhole shaping.

To shape shoulders, dec. 1½ shells - by working sl st in same manner as before - at both ends of each of next 2 shell rows. On next shell row, sl st across 1½ shells, work across 2 shells, turn and work back over these 2 shells. Fasten off. Attach thread at opposite side of neck edge and shape other shoulder to correspond.

WAISTBAND (Front) ... Ch 138 and work as for Back waistband for 3 inches (137 sts in each row). Next row: Sc in each sc and in each ch across, making 2 sc in each of 4 sts at equal distances apart (141 sts). Ch 1, turn.

FRONT... 1st row: Sc in 1st st, * ch 1, skip 2 sts, in next st make: 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 1, skip 2 sts, sc in next st (shell). Repeat from * until 4 shells are made. Then work 23 shells, but skip only 1 st. Work last 4 shells to correspond with beginning of row (31 shells). Hereafter work in pattern as for Back for 9½ inches.

To Shape Armholes: Sl st across to 4th dc (3 shells decreased), sc in dc; continue in pattern across to 4th dc from end of row, turn. Work a shell row in pattern. Continue in pattern, decreasing 1 shell at both ends of each of next 2 shell rows. Work over remaining 21 shells until piece measures 2½ inches from 1st row of armhole shaping.

On next shell row, work across 10 shells; in ch-2 of next shell make 3 dc, turn (thus starting center front opening). Work back and forth over these 10½ shells for 2¼ inches, ending at armhole edge, turn.

To shape neck edge, work over 1st 4 shells, make a half shell in next. Work over these 4½ shells until piece measures 7 inches from 1st row of armhole shaping.

To shape shoulders, dec. 1½ shells on each of next 3 shell rows at armhole edge. Fasten off. Attach thread at base of center front opening and work other side to correspond.

SLEEVES. ... Starting at bottom, ch 102 and work in waistband pattern for 1 inch (101 sts).

Next row: Sc in each sc and in each ch across.

1st row: Sc in 1st st, * ch 1, skip 2 sts; in next st make 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc; ch 1, skip 2 sts, sc in next st (shell). Repeat from * until 3 shells are made. Then make 16 shells, but skip 1 st instead of 2. Work last 3 shells to correspond with beginning of row.

Continue in pattern stitch for 2 inches.

To shape top of sleeve, on each of next 2 shell rows, dec. ½ shell, as before, at both ends of row. Then work without decreasing until piece measures 8 inches in all. At both ends of each of next 3 shell rows dec. ½ shell, and dec. 1 shell on following 2 shell rows. Fasten off.

Sew up underarm seams to within 4½ inches from bottom, easing in extra fullness of Front 1½ inches down from armhole shaping. Sew up shoulder seams. Sew up sleeve seams and sew sleeves in, easing in extra fullness in center 5 inches at top.

With right side of work toward you, attach thread at neck edge, at right side of center front opening and work a row of sc all around neck edge to corresponding position at left side, keeping work flat and skipping corner sts.

Work back and forth in waistband pattern over these sc's for ½ inch, keeping work flat and neck shaping square by decreasing at corners.

Do not break off, but work sc along center front opening, making 4 ch-7 buttonloops on right side. Work sc along each side of waistband opening, making 4 ch-7 buttonloops at equal distances apart on both sides of Front waistband. Sew on buttons to correspond with buttonloops. If desired, sew in shoulder paddings.

This free pattern originally published in Spool Cotton #128, Cotton Flash!