Interweave SKU: EP11489

My design is inspired both by the white-collared black dresses worn by the maids when they serve evening dinner and by the flattering white V-necks and beautiful laces on black dresses worn at dinner by the Grantham women in the television series Downton Abbey. The main body and sleeves are royal purple (to enhance the photography), knitted in smooth stockinette stitch to contrast with the lace texture at the lower edge and sleeve cuffs. A slight flare at the lower edge narrows a bit at the waist; slim sleeves with sleeve caps are set into curved armholes for a classic fit. A small keyhole at the base of the V-neck allows the application of an I-cord detail on the white sailor collar, which is knitted in an Open Leaf Lace pattern.

Finished Size: 33 (37, 38½) inches (83.8 [94.0, 97.8] cm) bust circumference

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk, 85% merino wool/15% mulberry silk yarn, fingering weight, 437 yards (399.6 m)/100 gram (3.5 oz) skein, 3 (4, 4) skeins of #5632 Dark Plum (MC) and 1 skein of #5618 Snow (CC)

Yarn Weight: #1 - Super Fine

Needles: Circular, 24 inches (60 cm) size 3 (3.25 mm), 16 inches (40 cm) size 3 (3.25 mm), 24 inches (60 cm) sizes 4 (3.5 mm) and 6 (4 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Markers; stitch holders; crochet hook, size D/3 (3.25 mm); tapestry needle

Gauge: 28 sts and 42 rows = 4 inches (10.2 cm) in St st on smallest needle. See below and pages 7-8 for Abbreviations and Techniques

Originally Published: Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits 2014