Knitted tunic with pockets-free knitting pattern

Autumn is on the horizon,which is my favourite time of year. In this post we are gently easing you into the next
season with some ultra lush cable knits in our opening feature. My absolute favourite is the tunic with pockets. I ﬁnd that too few women’s garments have pockets so when they do,I am usually sold! Not to mention that the yarn this is knitted in is dreamily soft and light.

Measurements
To fit bust 82-87 (92-97) (102-107) (112-117) cm/32-34 (36-38) (40-42) (44-46) in.
Actual measurements 94 (104) (114) (124) cm/37 (41) (45) (49) in.
Side seam 51 (52) (53) (54) cm/ 20 (20½) (21) (21¼) in.
Length to shoulder 74 (76) (78) (80) cm/29 (30) (30¾) (31½) in.
Sleeve seam All sizes 33cm/13in.

Materials
10 (11) (12) (13) 50g (115m) balls of yarn (94% cotton, 6% nylon) . Pair each of 4mm (No. 8) and 5mm (No. 6) needles; cable needle; removable stitch markers or contrast thread; 3 stitch holders.

Tension
22.5 stitches and 24 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over pattern, using 5mm needles

Note
Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. Instructions are given for small size. Where they vary, work ﬁgures in round brackets for larger sizes. Instructions in square brackets are worked as stated after 2nd bracket.

Cable panel
(worked over 15sts)
1st row: P5, t5l, p5.
2nd row: K5, p2, k1, p2, k5.
3rd row: P4, t3b, k1, t3f, p4.
4th row: K4, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k4.
5th row: P3, t3b, k1, p1, k1, t3f, p3.
6th row: K3, p2, [k1, p1] twice, k1, p2, k3.
7th row: P2, t3b, [k1, p1] twice, k1, t3f, p2.
8th row: K2, p2, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1, p2, k2.
9th row: P1, t3b, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1, t3f, p1.
10th row: K1, p2, [k1, p1] 4 times, k1, p2, k1.
11th row: T3b, [k1, p1] 4 times, k1, t3f.
12th row: P2, [k1, p1] 5 times, k1, p2.
These 12 rows form cable panel and are repeated.

Knitted tunic with pockets-free knitting pattern

Back
With 4mm needles, cast on 106 (114)
(122) (130) sts.
1st row: [P2, k2] 3 (4) (5) (6) times, p2,
*k2, p1, [k1, p1] 5 times, [k2, p2] twice;
repeat from * twice more, k2, p1, [k1, p1] 5 times, k2, [p2, k2] 3 (4) (5) (6) times, p2.
2nd row: P14 (18) (22) (26), *p2, k1, [p1,
k1] 5 times, p8; repeat from * twice more,
p2, k1, [p1, k1] 5 times, p16 (20) (24) (28).
Last 2 rows form welt pattern. Pattern
a further 22 rows.
Change to 5mm needles.
1st row: [P2, k2] 3 (4) (5) (6) times, p2,
*work across 1st row of cable panel, p2, k2, p2; repeat from * twice more, work across 1st row of cable panel, [p2, k2] 3 (4) (5) (6) times, p2.
2nd row: P14 (18) (22) (26), *work across
2nd row of cable panel, p6; repeat from * twice more, work across 2nd row of cable panel, p14 (18) (22) (26).
Last 2 rows set pattern of cable panel with broken rib. ***
Pattern until back measures 70 (72) (74) (76) cm from beginning, ending with a wrong side row.

Shape first side neck: Next row:
Pattern 39 (42) (45) (48), turn and work on these sts for ﬁrst side of neck.
Next row: P2togb, pattern to end.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, skpo.
Next row: P2togb, p to end – 36 (39) (42) (45) sts.
** Shape shoulder: Cast oﬀ 12 (13) (14) (15) sts at beginning of next and following alternate row – 12 (13) (14) (15) ts.
Work 1row.
Cast oﬀ remaining12 (13) (14) (15) sts. **Shape second side neck:With right side facing, slip centre 28 (30) (32) (34)
sts onto a st holder, rejoin yarn to remaining sts, pattern to end – 39 (42) (45) (48) sts.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, p2tog.
Next row: K2tog, pattern to end.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, p2tog – 36 (39) (42) (45) sts.
Work 1 row.
Shape shoulder as given for ﬁrst side neck from ** to **.

Pocket linings (make 2)
With 4mm needles, cast on 23 sts. Beginning with a k row, ss 25 rows, ending with a k row. Slip these sts onto a st holder.

Front
Work as given for back to ***.
Pattern until front measures 30cm from beginning, ending with a 12th row of cable pattern. Place pocket linings: 1st row: Pattern 10 (14) (18) (22), cast oﬀ 23 sts, pattern 40, cast oﬀ 23 sts, pattern 10 (14) (18) (22).
2nd row: Pattern 10 (14) (18) (22), work across ﬁrst pocket lining sts thus: *p4, work 2nd row of cable panel,
p4* then pattern 40, work across second pocket lining sts as from * to *, pattern 10 (14) (18) (22).
Pattern straight until front measures 59 (61) (63) (65) cm from beginning, ending with a wrong side row.
Shape first side neck: Next row: Pattern 44 (47) (50) (53), turn and work on these sts for ﬁrst side neck.
Next row: P2togb, pattern to end.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, skpo.
Repeat the last 2 rows, 3 times more – 36 (39) (42) (45) sts.
Pattern straight until front measures the same as back to shoulder, ending at side edge.
Shape shoulder as given for back from ** to **. Shape second side neck:With right side facing, slip centre 18 (20) (22) (24) sts onto a st holder, rejoin yarn to remaining sts, pattern to end – 44 (47) (50) (53) sts.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, p2tog.
Next row: K2tog, pattern to end.
Repeat the last 2 rows, 3 times more – 36 (39) (42) (45) sts.
Pattern straight until front measures the same as back to shoulder, ending at side edge.
Shape shoulder as given for back from ** to **.

Sleeves (both alike)
With 4mm needles, cast on 46 (50) (54) (58) sts.
1st rib row: K2, [p2, k2] to end.
2nd rib row: P to end.
These 2 rows form rib pattern. Rib another 10 rows.
Change to 5mm needles.
Rib a further 4 rows.
Increase row: K2, up1, pattern to last 2 sts, up1, k2.
Rib 7 rows straight.
Repeat the last 8 rows, 6 times more, then repeat the increase row, once more – 62 (66) (70) (74) sts.
Rib straight until sleeve measures 33cm from beginning, ending with a wrong side row.
Shape sleeve top: Cast oﬀ 6 sts at beginning of next 8 rows – 14 (18) (22) (26) sts.
Cast oﬀ.

Neckband
Join right shoulder seam. With right side facing, and with 5mm needles, pick up and k29 sts down left side of
front neck, k18 (20) (22) (24) sts from front st holder, pick up and k29 sts up right side of front neck, 7 sts down
right side of back neck, k28 (30) (32) (34) sts from back st holder, pick up and k7 sts up left side of back neck
– 118 (122) (126) (130) sts.
1st rib row: K2, [p2, k2] to end.
2nd rib row: P2, [k2, p2] to end.
Last 2 rows form rib. Rib a further 3 rows.
Change to 4mm needles.
Rib a further 3 rows.
Cast oﬀ in rib.

To make up
Join left shoulder and neckband seam. Sew down pocket linings. Mark 23 (24) (25) (26) cm down from shoulders on
front and back. Sew in sleeves between markers. Join side and sleeve seams.

Abbreviations
St(s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side); tog, together (decrease,
by working as many sts together as stated); dec, decrease 1 st (by working k2tog on a k row and p2tog on a p
row); up1, pick up loop lying between needles and k into back of it (to increase 1 st); skpo, slip 1 st, k 1 st,
pass slipped st over the knitted st (to decrease 1 st); p2togb, p2tog through back of sts (to decrease 1 st); t5l, twist
5 left (slip next 2 sts onto cable needle, leave at front, [k2, p1] from left hand needle, then k 2 sts from cable
needle); t3b, twist 3 back (slip next st onto cable needle, leave at back, k next 2 sts, then p 1 st from cable
needle); t3f, twist 3 front (slip next 2 sts onto cable needle, leave at front, p next st, then k 2 sts from cable needle.

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