Ithilien Blouse

This sweater is worked by knitting the back panel first, then placing it on hold. The shoulders are picked up and worked from the cast on edge of the back panel, first left, then right. When the right shoulder is the correct length, it is knit across, the neck front is cast on, and the left shoulder is knit across. Knitting continues back and forth for the remainder of the front panel. At the underarm, the sweater is joined in the round for the rest of the body. The hem is an easy four-round repetition that does not require cabling or slipping stitches. The elbow length sleeves are picked up and worked from the top down using German Short Rows to shape the shoulder and later to create an optional high-low elbow that is used when attaching the lace leaf edge. The hem pattern may also be used in place of the leaf edge for the sleeves to create three quarter length sleeves, and instructions are included.