CHAINMAIL is a cute, cropped, Seed stitch slipover with beautiful finishing. I created CHAINMAIL because I really wanted to continue wearing my beloved flowy dresses during fall and winter. It took me quite some time to fall in love with slipovers. But after having made CHAINMAIL, I am complete swept away with how versatile they are. They are beautiful over blouses and shirts, keep you extra warm when you wear them underneath a cardigan and are a perfect transitional piece in your wardrobe.

CHAINMAIL is worked bottom up. You first cast on stitches for the waist and then increase for the bust while working in the round. You separate front and back and keep working them flat until you close the shoulder seams with the Three Needle Bind-Off. The rib on the neckline is worked separately afterwards and attached one point at a time. Finally you finish off the armholes with an i-cord.

Please note that the Seed stitch part is worked with the larger needle and holding two strands of yarn, while everything else (ribbing, welts, i-cords) is worked with the smaller needle and holding only one strand of yarn.

This pattern went through tech editing and test knitting before the release. I was not able to find testers for the sizes 1, 2, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18 though. If you are interested in testing one of these sizes, please send me a message.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4) {5, 6, 7} (8, 9, 10) {11, 12, 13} (14, 15, 16) {17, 18}

with bust circumference of finished garment:

71.5 (76.5, 81.5, 86.5) {91.5, 96.5, 102.5} (107.5, 112.5, 117.5) {122.5, 127.5, 132.5} (137.5, 142.5, 146.5) {151.5, 157.5} cm
28 (30, 32, 34) {36, 38, 40.25} (42.25, 44.25, 46.25) {48.25, 50.25, 52.25} (54.25, 56, 57.5) {59.5, 62}“

CHAINMAIL is intended to be worn with 0 - 2cm / 0 - 0.75” of positive ease around the bust. If in doubt, I recommend that you opt for the smaller size, i.e. the size with less positive ease.

YARN
5 (5, 5, 6) {6, 6, 6} (7, 7, 7) {8, 8, 8} (8, 8, 9) {9, 9} balls of Rauma Finull (50g, 175m/ 191yds, 100% norwegian wool) in color 4126

Please note that these values are only estimates. Changes in yarn or gauge as well as changes of the pattern can result in a different yardage.

GAUGE
16 sts and 30 rounds = 10cm / 4” in Seed stitch holding two strands of yarn after blocking
and
23 sts and 36 rows = 10cm / 4” in Stockinette stitch holding only one strand after blocking

NEEDLES
5mm needles (or size to obtain gauge with) for Seed stitch holding two strands together
and
3mm needles (or size to obtain gauge with) for Stockinette stitch holding only one strand

TOOLS
A tapestry needle or crochet hook to weave in the ends, two stitch markers, three removable markers and a little bit of elastic thread to insert into the neckline and i-cords at the armholes (if desired).

TECHNIQUES
knit and purl stitches
working flat and in the round
increasing and decreasing
picking up stitches
seaming (neckline only)
working welts (video tutorial included)
working i-cord (video tutorial included)