I’ve loved peasant blouses since the 1970s, when I discovered the beauty of folkwear sewing patterns, and I’ve wanted to make one ever since. I never did get around to sewing one, but this knitted design more than makes up for that. Inspired by the traditional clothing worn by Russian peasants, I worked the red and white patterning on the neck and cuffs in stranded knitting rather than embroidery. The lace pattern at the hem adds extra decorative flair. The blouse body and sleeves are both quite long, and are intended to be drawn in —at the waist with a drawstring and at the wrists with the wide cuffs-to form a graceful, flowing shape. The alpaca yarn is knit at a much looser gauge than normal to create a soft, flowing fabric, perfect for this blouse. The colorwork is knitted with smaller needles to provide more body.

Sizes
Woman’s Small (Medium, Large)
Finished Measurements
Bust: 37 (40, 43.5)“/94 (101.5, 110.5)cm Length: 30 (31, 31)”/76 (78.5, 78.5)cm
Materials (A
• Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk, 50% alpaca/50% silk, 50g/1.75oz, 146yds/133m per skein: #120 White (MC), 9 (9, 10) skeins; #123 Ruby (CC), 2 skeins
• Size 7 (4.5mm) 16”/40.5cm and 29”/73.5cm long circular and double-pointed needles or size to obtain gauge
• Size 5 (3.5mm) 29” /73.5 long and double-pointed needles
• Crochet hook size G-6 (4mm)
• Tapestry needle
Gauge
18 sts = 4”/10cm over St st solid and colorwork pat with
larger needles
22 sts = 4”/10cm over colorwork pat with smaller needles
Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.

PATTERN NOTES
This sweater is worked in-the-round from the hem to the underarms; the sleeves are worked separately in-the-round from cuff to underarm. The pieces are then joined and the yoke is worked in-the-round with an optional steeked front opening.