INSTRUCTIONS

Using long tail cast-on method, cast on 76[80, 84, 92, 96, 100] sts, pm, and join in the round, being careful not to twist your sts.

Rounds 1-4: Knit around.

Round 5: Purl around. This is the ridge for turning under the hem. When you turn it under, this purled row will be folded under and become the bottom edge. You can sew this into place later. You could also do a knitted hem by knitting another 4 rounds. Then, with your left needle, pick up the first stitch from your cast on edge, and knit it together with your first working stitch. Continue this around.

Continue knitting every round until piece measures 6[7, 8, 9, 91/4, 10] inches from purled ridge.

Now you will be binding off for the arms, separating the front from the back:
Set up round: K38[40, 42, 46, 48, 50], pm, k to end.

Round 1: Bind off 6[6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts, knit to next marker, bind off next 6[6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts, knit to end.

You will now work back and forth on these 32[34, 36, 38, 40, 42] sts. The back sts are no longer connected to your working yarn; they can remain on the circular needle or be placed on waste yarn.

Front Armhole Shaping

Row 1 (WS): K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2 (Decrease row): K3, ssk, knit to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3: 30[32, 34, 36, 38, 40] sts.
Row 3: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 4: Knit across.
Repeat Rows 1-4, 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 3] more times: 28[30, 32, 34, 34, 34] sts.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until piece measures 9[93/4, 11, 111/2, 12, 13] inches from purled ridge, ending with Row 3.

Neck edge (RS): K9[10, 10, 11, 11, 11], bind off center 10[10, 12, 12, 12, 12], knit across.

Right Strap

Row 1: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2: Knit across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 10[11, 121/2, 131/2, 14, 15] inches from purled ridge.
Place sts on holder, break yarn.

Left Strap

With WS facing, join yarn to remaining strap.
Row 1: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2: Knit across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 91/2[101/2, 12, 13, 131/2, 141/2] inches from purled ridge, ending with Row 2.
Next 3 Rows: Knit across.
Buttonhole Row: K2, yo, k2tog, k1[2, 2, 3, 3, 3], yo, k2tog, k2.
Last 3 Rows: Knit across.
Bind off all sts.

Back

With WS facing, join yarn to back sts.
Work same as Front from Armhole Shaping through Neck edge: 9[10, 10, 11, 11, 11] sts each side.

Left Back Strap

Row 1: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3
Row 2: Knit across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 101/2[111/2, 13, 14, 141/2, 15] inches from purled ridge, ending with Row 2.
Last 7 Rows: Knit across.

Right Back Strap

With WS facing, join yarn to remaining front strap.
Row 1: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2: Knit across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 10[11, 121/2, 131/2, 14, 15] inches from purled ridge.

Place sts on holder, break yarn.

Turn inside out and use the Three Needle Bind Off method to join right shoulder.

Optional Side Stripes

The stripes will start after the purl ridge for the hem. Starting with the first stitch of the round:
Round 1: K2, p4, k2, k30[32, 34, 38, 40, 42], pm, k2, p4, k2, knit across.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 6[7, 8, 9, 91/4, 10] inches from purled edge.

Separate for Front and Back: K1[1, 1, 0, 0, 0], bind off 6[6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts, knit to next marker, k1[1, 1, 0, 0, 0], bind off next 6[6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts, knit across.
You will now work back and forth on these 32[34, 36, 38, 40, 42] sts. The back sts are no longer connected to your working yarn; they can remain on the circular needle or be placed on waste yarn.
Complete same as basic pattern, beginning with Front Armhole Shaping.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends.