Language English

Level Intermediate +++
The Darjeeling Blouse is an intermediate/advanced level. The difficulty lies in the double picot hem which requires a special cast on, and in the atypical construction. The pattern is quite technical, but it includes detailed written instructions, videos and a checklist to help you keep track of your progress.

Construction
The Darjeeling Blouse is worked bottom-up, in flat and circular knitting. You will start by knitting the bottom of the body flat with a double picot hem, and then the top of the body with buttonholes along the front right edge until you reach the underarms. You will work the bottom of the sleeves separately, in the round with the Magic Loop technique, until you reach the underarms. You will then join the sleeves and the body to knit them together until the last row, with the “bottom-up contiguous”method. You will follow different steps, working decreases alternately along the body, the sleeves and the shoulders in order to shape the set in sleeves and the bias shoulders. You’ll finish with an I-cord edge along the front and back neckline worked with 3 mm needles.

Techniques 
Cast on - knit and purl - yarn over - decreases - making a hem - Magic Loop - cast off - picking up stitches - I-cord

Shape and sizes
Sizes XS - (S - M - L - XL - 2XL - 3XL - 4XL) are suited for a 80/85 (85/90 - 90/95 - 95/105 - 105/115 - 115/130 - 130/140 - 140/150) cm [31.5/33.4 (33.4/35.4 - 35.4/37.4 - 37.4/41.3 - 41.3/45.2 - 45.2/51.1 - 51.1/55.1 - 55.1/59) inches] bust circumference. To choose your size, make sure to measure your bust size, and choose the version depending on the fitting you prefer: tight or loose (for a tight fit, you can choose a size with a negative ease, and a smaller circumference than your actual bust size).
There are three length options for this pattern: the cropped version stops more or less above the waist, perfect to wear with a high waist skirt or with a little top underneath, and the medium version stops around the hips and will look great at the beach with a pair of shorts or jeans. The long version stops under the hips, for a more traditional fit. To choose the length that suits you best, take the measurement starting at the neck and shoulder juncture, and going down. Make sure to check that the upper arm circumference also suits you well.

You will need
• Cropped length: 4 (4 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 6 - 6) skeins of Cotton Cashmere - 50 g/155 m (169 yds) - from Katia Yarns 
• Medium length: 4 (4 - 5 - 5 - 5/6 - 6 - 7 - 7) skeins of Cotton Cashmere - 50 g/155 m (169 yds) - from Katia Yarns 
• Long length: 5 (5 - 5/6 - 6 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 8) skeins of Cotton Cashmere - 50 g/155 m (169 yds) - from Katia Yarns 
• 2 sets of 3,5 mm circular needles with a cable of 80 cm or more
• 1 set of 3 mm circular needles for the I-cord edges
• 4 (4 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 5) or 5 (5 - 5 - 6 - 6 - 6 - 6 - 6) or 6 (6 - 6 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 7- 7)* buttons Ø 15 mm *(for the cropped version, the medium version or the long one)
• 1 tapestry needle, scissors, pins and a flat surface to block your knitting

Sample
22 stitches x 31 rows = 10 x 10 cm