Akhet is an Egyptian hieroglyph that depicts the sun rising or setting between two hills. It translates as mountain of light, and is an ideogram for the horizon. Akhet, like the sun, is associated with light, warmth, and growth, and with creation and rebirth. The hieroglyph also bears a bit of a resemblance to a sleeveless vee-neck shirt.

Our Akhet is a charming linen-blend shirt with simple lines that place the emphasis perfectly on the gorgeous color, drape, and feel of Why Knot Fibers’ Seduction yarn. The pattern is graded for seven sizes (2XS through 2XL) and designed with several inches of positive ease, but it includes just enough tailoring (including A-line and waist shaping) for feminine look. Akhet was crafted to be both a straightforward knit and a stylishly comfortable wardrobe piece.

Construction: Akhet is knit seamlessly in the round from the hem to the bust, with darts worked at four points around the torso to shape a slight A-line flare. The top is then worked flat and seamed at the shoulders using a three-needle bind off. Both halves of the vee neck are worked at the same time. The trim around each arm and neck opening is worked at the same time as the upper body, so there is minimal finishing.

Sizing: 32(36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56)”.

Fit: Akhet is designed to be worn with 1-3” of positive ease.

Yarn and Yardage: Two to three skeins of Why Knot Fibers’ Seduction, a sweetly gentle alpaca/linen/silk blend, in the Echo colorway. Or, approximately 700(750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1100) yards of comparable fingering-weight yarn will complete your Ahket.

Needles: A size 4 U.S. (3.5 mm) 32” long circular needle (for the body, both back-and-forth and in-the-round) and spare needle size 4 or smaller (for the three-needle bind-off), or the size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Six stitch markers, preferably two of which are distinct, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Instructions: The pattern includes fully written-out instructions.

Techniques Used: Knit, purl, basic decreases, basic increases, working in the round, and three-needle bind-off.

As Modeled: Shown here is the 44” bust, modeled with 2” positive ease, worked in approximately 750 yards of Seduction.

Errata: In the Front section, Row 1 should read:
K1, p1, k1, pfb, k43(49, 55, 61, 67, 73, 79), p1, pm, p1, k43(49, 55, 61, 67, 73, 79), pfb, k1, p1, k1. (2 sts increased.)

In the Body Shaping section, the instruction before Round 7 should read: Work Rounds 4, 5, 6, 5, 6, 5 in that order 7 times. (28 sts dec.)

The current .pdf version and future print versions reflect these changes.

Modifications: Due to popular demand, Akhet now has a scoop neck option! Just substitute the following directions for the Front section. I hope you love it!

Row 1 (RS): K1, p1, k1, pfb, k37(43, 49, 55, 61, 67, 73), p1, pm, k1, p1 3 times, p1, k1 3 times, pm, p1, k37(43, 49, 55, 61, 67, 73), pfb, k1, p1, k1. (2 sts inc.)

Note: The first four sts are not continuing the previous seed st pattern.

Row 2 (WS): K1, p1 2 times, k1, p to 2 sts before the m, k1, p1, sl m, k1, p1 3 times, p1, k1 3 times, sl m, p1, k1, p to last 5 sts, k1, p1 twice, k1.

Row 3: K1, p1 2 times, k1, pfb, k to 3 sts before the m, p1, k1, p1, sl m, k1, p1 3 times, p1, k1 3 times, sl m, p1, k1, p1, k to last 5 sts, kfb, p1, k1 twice. (2 sts inc.)

Row 4: K1, p1 3 times, p to 4 sts before the m, k1, p1 2 times, sl m, k1, p1 3 times, p1, k1 3 times, sl m, p1, k1 2 times, p to last 6 sts, p1, k1 3 times.

Row 5 (RS): K1, p1 3 times, k to 6 sts before the m, k2tog, k1, p1 2 times, remove m. Drop the working yarn (the left shoulder yarn) without cutting it, and join a new strand of yarn (the right shoulder yarn). With the new yarn, bind off the next 12 sts in pattern, removing the m as you bind off the 12th st; then, with the same yarn, p1, k1 2 times, ssk, k to last 6 sts, p1, k1 3 times. (1 st dec on each side of the vee; 12 sts bound off in the center.)

Row 6 (WS): K1, p1 3 times, p to 6 sts before the end of the right front, ssp, k1, p1 2 times; drop right shoulder yarn and pick up left shoulder yarn; p1, k1 2 times, p2tog, p to last 6 sts, p1, k1 3 times. (1 st dec on each side of vee.)

Row 7 (RS): K1, p1 3 times, k to 6 sts before the end of the left front, k2tog, k1, p1 2 times; drop left shoulder yarn and pick up right shoulder yarn; p1, k1 2 times, ssk, k to last 6 sts, p1, k1 3 times. (1 st dec on each side of vee.)

Repeat Rows 6-7 10(10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12) more times. (20(20, 20, 22, 22, 24, 24) sts dec per side.)

Row 8 (WS): K1, p1 3 times, p to 4 sts before the end of the right front, k1, p1 2 times; drop right shoulder yarn and pick up left shoulder yarn; p1, k1 2 times, p to last 6 sts, p1, k1 3 times.

Repeat Rows 7-8 3 more times. (3 sts dec per side; 18(24, 30, 34, 40, 44, 50) sts remain on each side of vee.)

Row 9 (RS): K1, p1 3 times, k to 4 sts before the end of the left front, k1, p1 2 times; drop left shoulder yarn and pick up right shoulder yarn; p1, k1 2 times, k to last 6 sts, p1, k1 3 times.

Repeat Rows 8-9 until the fronts measure 22(22½, 23, 23½, 24, 24½, 25)” from the cast on, ending after Row 8.

Row 10 (RS): K1, p1 to the end of the left front; drop left shoulder yarn and pick up right shoulder yarn; p1, k1 to end.

Row 11 (WS): P1, k1 to the end of the right front; drop right shoulder yarn and pick up left shoulder yarn; k1, p1 to end.

Repeat Rows 10-11 once more, then repeat Row 10 once again.