Astraea Blouse

PDF KNITTING PATTERN - NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT

The Astraea Blouse is a fitted lace raglan top, perfect to dress up any outfit with the delicate and unique lace pattern. Named after the star maiden goddess of divine justice, Astraea, this design features two intricate repeating lace motifs across the entire piece, a scalloped crochet edge and delicate picot edge hem and cuffs. This pattern is highly customizable to your unique preferences with options for an open front or closed front top, all over lace or stockinette with lace details on the sleeve, long sleeves or short sleeves, and a deep or shallow V-neck. The blouse is knit from the top down by working raglan increases on the front, back, and sleeves, before separating for the sleeves and working the body and sleeves independently. The picot edge hem and cuffs are worked once the desired length of the body and sleeves have been reached. Finally, the optional crochet edge is worked along the neckline, and button band for the open front version. Modification options for V-neck depth, fit adjustment, length adjustment, and different yarn weights are included.

The model is wearing a deep V-neck, all-over lace short, sleeve version in size 2 in blue with a chest circumference of 81cm [31¾ inches] and 3 cm [1¼ inches] of negative ease.

Difficulty: 4/5 - Suitable for knitters with an intermediate or greater skill level. You should be able to read knitting charts and complete lace stitches (e.g. k3tog, yo, cdd). You do not need to know how to crochet to complete this pattern.

Pattern Disclaimer: This pattern provides significant opportunities for personal customizability and modifications. Therefore, there are instances in the pattern where direct instructions are not provided. Instead, the pattern indicates when it will be up to you to assess and determine the ideal length and coverage based on your individual preferences.

Sizes: 1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9 (10, 11, 12)

All Over Lace - Open-Front Finished Chest Circumference:
71, 78, 85 (92, 99, 106) 113.5, 120.5, 127.5 (134.5, 141.5, 149) cm
[28, 30¾, 33½ (36¼, 39, 41¾) 44¾, 47½, 50¼ (53, 55¾, 58¾) inches].

All Over Lace - Closed-Front Finished Chest Circumference:
64, 71, 78 (85, 92, 99.5) 106.5, 113.5, 120.5 (127.5, 135, 142) cm
[25¼, 28, 30¾ (33½, 36¼, 39¼) 42, 44¾, 47½ (50¼, 53¼, 56 inches].

Stockinette - Open/Closed-Front Finished Chest Circumference:
74.5, 83, 86.5 (95.5, 105, 115) 121.5, 134.5, 141.5 (148, 163, 169) cm
[29¼, 32¾, 34 (37½, 41¼, 45¼) 47¾, 53, 55¾ (58¼, 64¼, 66½) inches]

Finished Upper Arm Circumference:
27.75, 30.25, 30.25 (27.75, 36.75, 36.75) 36.75, 44, 44 (44, 52.25, 52.25) cm
[11, 12, 12 (11, 14½, 14½) 14½, 17¼, 17¼ (17¼, 20½, 20½) inches]

Gauge:
Lace Version
31 stitches x 33 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in blocked Lace pattern on 3mm [US 2.5] needles (Example: 2 repeats of the Lace Chart).

Stockinette Version
28 stitches x 31 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in blocked stockinette stitch on 3mm [US 2.5] needles.

Suggested Needles:
Lace / Stockinette: 3mm [US 2.5] circular needles
Picot Edge: 2.5mm [US 1.5] circular needles
Optional: 2mm [US 4] crochet hook

Suggested Yarn:
Yarn suggestions are based on the requirements for long sleeves. Measurements are based on the use of light fingering weight yarn. If using a fingering weight (as opposed to light fingering weight) the final chest circumference may be approximately a size larger and require more yarn, depending on the gauge. 

200, 200, 250 (250, 300, 300) 300, 350, 350 (350, 400, 400) g light fingering weight yarn.
940, 940, 1175 (1175, 1410, 1410) 1410, 1645, 1645 (1645, 1880, 1880) m /
1030, 1030, 1285 (1285, 1540, 1540) 1540, 1800, 1800) 1800, 2055, 2055 yds.

Blue Lace Sample: Light Fingering weight
Sandnes Garn Sunday (50 g = 235 m / 257 yds)

Pink Lace Sample: Fingering weight
Pearl by Rae Sacred Lotus (100g = 394 m / 431 yds)

Additional Materials:
Optional: 6-8 8mm buttons
Tapestry needle
Stitch holders or scrap yarn
Stitch markers
Measuring tape
Scissors

Modification Options:
Sizes 1-5: Shallow or deep V-neck depth. 
Sizes 6-12: Deep V-neck depth only.
All over lace or Stockinette with lace sleeve detail
Fit adjustment
Length adjustment
Different yarn weight

Size Guide
The Astraea Blouse is designed with 0-3 cm [0-1¼ inches] negative ease at the chest. Negative ease refers to the final garment measuring smaller than your initial measurement. You can also choose to knit a size with positive ease to create a more loose fitting garment. The more positive ease you include, the more loose fitting the garment will be. Positive ease refers to the final garment measuring larger than your initial measurement. It is recommended that you steam or wet block the blouse when measurements are provided to ensure you meet the recommended measurements.

All Over Lace - Open-Front Version:
Sizes 1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9 (10, 11, 12)  are based on an initial chest circumference of 71-74, 78-81, 85-88 (92-95, 99-102, 106-109) 113.5-116.5, 120.5-123.5, 127.5-130.5 (134.5-137.5, 141.5-144.5, 149-152) cm [28-29¼, 30¾-32, 33½-34¾ (36¼-37½, 39-40¼, 41¾-43) 44¾-46, 47½-48¾, 50¼-51½ (53-54¼, 55¾-57, 58¾-60) inches].

All Over Lace - Closed Front Version:
Sizes 1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9 (10, 11, 12)  are based on an initial chest circumference of 61-64, 68-71, 75-78 (82-85, 89-92, 96.5-99.5) 103.5-106.5, 110.5-113.5, 117.5-120.5 (124.5-127.5, 132-135, 139-142) cm [24-25¼, 26¾-28, 29½-30¾ (30¼-33½, 35-36¼, 38-39¼) 40¾-42, 43½-44¾, 46¼-47½ (49-50¼, 52-53¼, 54¾-56) inches].

Stockinette - Open/Closed Front Versions:
The Closed-Front Version decreases the total final chest circumference by 2 cm [¾ inches] due to the lack of button band.
Sizes 1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) 7, 8, 9 (10, 11, 12)  are based on an initial chest circumference 71.5-74.5, 80-83, 83.5-86.5 (92.5-95.5, 102-105, 112-115) 118.5-121.5, 131.5-134.5, 138.5-141.5 (145-148, 160-163, 166-169) cm [28¼-29¼, 31½-32¾, 32¾-34 (36½-37½, 40¼-41¼, 44-45¼) 46¾-47¾, 51¾-53, 54½-55¾ (57-58¼, 63-64¼, 65¼-66½ inches].

To choose your size:

1. Measure your chest at its widest circumference, making sure the measuring tape is snug but not too tight. You should be able to fit a finger underneath the measuring tape.

2. Subtract 0-3 cm [0-1¼ inches] to your chest measurement to account for negative ease, or add to your chest measurement to account for your preferred positive ease.

3. Use the resulting measurement when selecting your size. If you are in between sizes, it is recommended that you choose the larger size. 

For example, if your chest circumference measures 125 cm [49¼ inches], knit an All Over Lace Open-Front Version size 9, Closed-Front size 10, or Stockinette Version size 8.