Peony is a glorious love letter to dramatic-yet-wearable shapes. Its cropped length is balanced out by the deep V-neck and balloon sleeves, while the lines of twisted stitches travelling down the body add texture. On the sleeves, they transform into peony buds hiding delicate petals.

The pattern starts with the sleeves, worked without shaping to create volume, from the cuff up and in the round. The yoke fronts and back are worked top-down and in pieces. It is shaped by raglan and circular increases, with various twisted ribbing patterns. After joining the sleeves and yoke, the body is then knitted flat. The button band is picked up afterward and the yoke is finished with a Three-Needle Bind-Off, which can be done before knitting the body to check the length.

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9,10
Finished bust circumference: 96 (104, 116.5, 122, 130.5) (136.5, 144, 152, 160, 168] cm / 38 (40.75, 45.75, 48, 51.5) 54, 57, 59.75, 62.75, 66”- recommended to be worn with 15-20 cm / 6-8” of positive ease at the bust.

Yarn

La Bien Aimée Corrie Worsted (75% Falkland Corriedale, 25% Gotland wool; 230 metres / 250 yards per 100 g)

1030 (1140, 1225, 1325, 1505) 1595, 1680, 1850, 2015, 2115 metres / 1125 (1245, 1340, 1450, 1645) 1745, 1840, 2025, 2205, 2315 yards

The sample shown is knit in the colorway Dawn.

Carmen wears a size 2 with 9 cm / 3.5” of positive ease.

Needles

4 mm / US 6 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” (or needle size to obtain gauge)
3.5 mm / US 4 circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” (or needle size to obtain gauge)

To work this pattern using the magic loop technique, use a circular needle with a cable length of at least 80 cm / 32” instead of double-pointed needles.

Gauge

21 sts x 26 rounds = 10 x 11 cm / 4 x 4.5” (in the round, in Blossom Stitch Chart, on larger needle, after blocking)
26 sts x 27 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (worked flat and in the round, in 2x4 Twisted Ribbing,on larger needle, after blocking)
22 sts x 26 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (worked flat and in the round, in 1x2 Twisted Ribbing,on larger needle, after blocking)
25 sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (worked flat, in 1x1 ribbing, on smaller needle, after blocking)

Notions

• 4 Buttons (15mm / 0.5”)
• Blocking tools (blocking mats, t-pins, blocking wires)
• Crochet hook (3.5 mm / US E/4)
• Darning needle
• Removable stitch markers (optional)
• Scrap yarn
• Spare 3.5 mm / US 4 needle for Three-Needle Bind-Off and Italian Tubular Bind-Off
• Stitch markers
• Tape measure

Finished Measurements

• Back neck width: 18 (18, 19, 19, 21) 21, 21.5, 22, 23, 23 cm / 7 (7, 7.5, 7.5, 8.25) 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9”
• Front neck drop: 31 (32, 34, 37, 38) 40, 41.5, 45.5, 45.5, 48.5 cm / 12.25 (12.55, 13.5, 14.5, 15) 15.75, 16.25, 18, 18, 19”
• Armhole depth: 19 (19, 21, 22, 22) 24, 24, 26, 26, 27 cm / 7.5 (7.5, 8.25, 8.75, 8.75) 9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 10.25, 10.75”
• Bust circumference: 96 (104, 116.5, 122, 130.5) (136.5, 144, 152, 160, 168] cm / 38 (40.75, 45.75, 48, 51.5) 54, 57, 59.75, 62.75, 66”
• Side length from underarm: 31 cm / 12.25”
• Upper sleeve circumference: 27.25 (28.75, 35.5, 35.5, 38) 41, 43.5, 47.5, 50.5, 53 cm / 11 (11.25, 14, 14, 15) 16, 17.25, 18.75, 19.75, 21”
• Sleeve cuff circumference: 12 (12, 15, 15, 16.75) 17.5, 19, 19, 20.75, 21.5 cm / 4.75 (4.75, 6, 6, 6.5) 7, 7.5, 7.5, 8.25, 8.5”
• Sleeve length from underarm: 47 cm / 18.5”

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Peony is one of the 12 wearable, layerable, joyful patterns featured in Issue 9 - In Bloom - of Making Stories Magazine.

Issue 9 is available through our webshop in print and digital as well as in a subscription, through our Ravelry store as a digital version and our stockists.

About Making Stories Magazine

With Making Stories Magazine, we strive to feature companies and makers who focus on sustainability, transparency, fairness and equity in their work. We love telling their stories and hope to inspire and enable crafters to make conscious and informed decisions about the materials they use and the companies they support.